Mac Meda Destruction Company

La Jolla Girard Street House – Meda Clubhouse

According to sources, and please correct us if we are wrong, the people are, Dave Osborn w Mug just out of photo on left, The ‘Lad,” Joe Ortega, Jim Rathburn, Diane Molar, Darnez (Spelling? and RIP)and Grog (Nickname) - photo provided by David Osborn

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The stories of the La Jolla Girard Street house are infamous, the true life “Animal House,” that put together true life outrageous parties.

David Olson, formal owner of the the Red Mountain Inn, probably said it best, “I recall the first time I was invited to Macpherson’s Girard Street house, and it sort of like the Yankee’s calling you up from the minors, now you’re playing with the big boys & girls! His house was a place that could do anything and not worry about it as Rakestraw always did something that would be so outrageous that no one would remember what you did.”  Read more... (402 words, 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Mac Meda Poem by Jack MacPherson and Charlie Farley

Now, ole Mac Meda was a powerful man,
Who could smash down a house with the palm of his hand;
He formed a company of destroying fools,
Big Sledgehammers were his favorite tools.

They started out breaking just a house here and there,
Smash out the windows and let in some air;
Knock out the walls and give a few heaves,
And there would be nothing left beneath the eaves.

They broke a filling station, used a truck as a lever,
What Mac Meda broke, stayed broken forever;
They broke a jetliner on the way to a job,
No plane built could carry a Mac Meda’s mob.  Read more... (332 words, 1 image, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)

La Jolla Outrageous Parties, Drinking Beer and Wild Women

Jack MacPherson (co-founder) , Albert (president) and Robert Rackstraw (co founder)

Occasionally, when reading surfing publications, there is a reference to the ‘Mac Meda Destruction Company’ of La Jolla, California.  The writer often makes a reference to outrageous parties, drinking beer, wild women, tearing things up, surfing, and generally having a really bitchen time.

The Mac Meda Destruction Company was started in the early 60’s by Jack Macpherson (Mac) and Bob Rakestraw (Meda).  Jack surfed.  Rakestraw didn’t.  Both lifted weights.  The two shared a house at 7436 Girard Street and the stories about the house and their friendship have become legendary.

“The party went on for 7 years, 24 hours a day.  The door was always open,” Macpherson remembers fondly.  Read more... (915 words, 4 images, estimated 3:40 mins reading time)

La Jolla Mailman – Jack MacPherson Postal Worker

Jack was a mailman in La Jolla for 17 years.

Born and raised in La Jolla and with a great personality, it seemed logical he would become a mailman.  Everyone on Jack’s La Jolla mail route knew him.

He used to love Christmas – his tips weren’t a few bucks or coins, but  6-packs and/or cases of beer.  Many would asked him in for a beer or invite him to their Christmas parties. He was well-liked and knew everyone by their first and last name, their kids and even the dogs’ name. He was always talking to everyone and sharing stories.

Mac’s RIP Memorial Banner – A first in Southern California

A first in Southern California - A fly by RIP

Jack’s wake was a first in San Diego or probably in the whole US.  Never has there been a RIP banner such as the one that flew by Windansea in Jack’s memory.

The crowd stood cheering and toasted as the plane flew over the 300-plus mourners that filled the parking lot – a day that will always be remembered for the great person he was.

His longtime friend Doug Moranville and Karen his wife from the Branding Iron (Mac Meda T-Shirts) hired the plane and snapped the shot.

Jack and his Burgie Beer – 44 mag

Jack drinking a beer in Borrego Springs ... at Sunrise

Here is the photo of Jack in Borrego at sunrise (yes my friends that is sunrise, not sunset), explaining to Brian Munoz why he drank Burgie beer.

Jack explained, “So he didn’t have to worry about anyone taking or asking for any of his beer”

As far as the the reason for the 44 mag suicide look, Brian said, “We had spent the day before getting shit-faced, it ended up with Lee Bakken shooting at his wife’s feet to make her dance.”

Everyone was getting a little Meda crazy, even for us.

When Brian asked, “Why the gun to your head?”