The year was 1984. Cold War tensions were still high. Hawthorne, California had a large defense presence. On December 10, 1984, an aerospace engineer from Northrop Aviation decided to risk it all. Here’s what a spy tried to do at the Cockatoo. Background Thomas P. Cavanagh (b.1945) was a mid-level engineer at the Advanced Systems…
One of the biggest mysteries of the 20th Century was the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. In 2019, this story was brought to film by Martin Scorcese. It combined history’s best screen talent, the biggest streaming service, and very expensive special effects. In this post, we share some thoughts on, and try not to spoil, The…
What was the Cockatoo Inn and Hotel like in its midcentury heyday? Here are some interior shots of the bar/restaurant area as well as the room furnishings. Thanks to our pal Dick from Tennessee for letting us all take a look inside the Cockatoo Inn. Images are from the mid 1960s. The guest rooms were…
Throughout his life, Cockatoo owner Andy Lococo faced much scrutiny from authorities. Recently, we uncovered information showing that the FBI kept tabs on his activities for at least 10 years. After watching Andy’s trips to Mexico, agents caught wind of why he was interested in a hotel called Borrego de Oro. Why Andy? First, why…
Welcome to the first-ever Cockatoo Inn website. These pages set to remember the Cockatoo Inn, which was located in Hawthorne, California until it closed in the mid-90s. (See more in History.) What to expect from this site Primarily, this site is focused on content related to the Cockatoo Inn and the colorful life of Andrew…
Show your love for the Cockatoo with our t-shirt! We turned to our friends at Royale with Tees to make the official Cockatoo Inn T-shirt! They also carry the official Cockatoo Inn Hoodie in limited quantities. Availability of sizes and colors varies. Click or tap the image to buy the shirt at our partner site:…
Reactions to the death of Robert Forster were many. The actor, known for his kind demeanor on screen and off, passed away Friday, Oct 11, 2019 from brain cancer. This according to his publicist. Cockatoo Inn fans might know Forster best for his role as Max Cherry, the bail bondsman and romantic interest of Jackie…
We recently connected with former Cockatoo Inn employee, Val Crotty. When Val worked at the Cockatoo, the joint was in different hands. By 1978, Andrew Lococo had already passed. Despite this, the Cockatoo still had an air of intrigue that commanded a certain level of esteem. Guy walks into a bar Let’s step back a…
By 1971, there were numerous reports about Milwaukee police officers and detectives going on lavish trips on the taxpayer dime. With Andy Lococo’s Milwaukee roots, it was no surprise to find some of those cops at the Cockatoo. Suspects and inmates blew the whistle on law enforcement, offering up first hand accounts of extradition trips…
In the late 1960s, Andy Lococo took several fishing trips to Mexico. In 1972, Andy had commissioned what was at the time, the largest tuna boat in the world. The Largest Tuna Boat in the World Around July 1968, Andy Lococo sought funding for the boat, explaining to officials that he wanted to start a…