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…
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…
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…
The Desert Sun labeled their union an “Italian Romance” in 1963. In August of the same year, the Minervinis celebrated at the Cockatoo Inn. The occasion was their 25th wedding anniversary. Over 40 family and friends attended the dinner in Hawthorne. However, it was in 1938 that the paper said an “American-born Italian girl” (it…
Recently, a small article was discovered that announced a new joint in southern California. This time it wasn’t Andy’s Cockatoo, but brother Nick’s “Lococo’s” restaurant. The Palos Verdes News headline from Dec 19, 1957 read: “Lococo’s Open in Manhattan.” It called it, “an exciting new restaurant and cocktail lounge” run by brothers Nick and Michael…
When we started this website, we were shocked to find that no one ever wanted this domain. In a way it’s understandable that the Cockatoo Inn never had an official website. It closed just as the web started to take off. But, better late than never. In the short time we’ve been building the site,…
In 1958, a fire destroyed the old Cockatoo. Then, the razing of the entire building finally occurred in 2005. Imagine seeing the Cockatoo Inn destroyed twice. That’s exactly what former Hawthorne resident Jim Dally saw as a child, then later as an adult. According to John Baker’s Cougartown site, Jim stated in 2005: Recently, I…
The now-vintage clothier, Lanz of California, previewed their fashions for the Grandview Woman’s Club in March 1963. The Palos Verdes News printed the following of the event: Spring fashions will debut at the Cockatoo Inn when the Grandview Woman’s Club and their guests enjoy a bruncheon. Planning the table centerpieces are Mmes. Leroy Ellickson, William…