John A McKaig: Fireman, Barber, Mosaic Artist.... Tiki Carver! - General Tiki

TS Tiki Shaker Grand Member (8 years) Menifee, CA Joined: Jun 28, 2008 Posts: 775	TS Tiki Shaker Posted posted on Wed, Nov 30, 2011 9:17 PM Here's something I've been researching for quite some time. A few years ago, I saw this in a book about the history of Carlsbad. I searched his name, and all I could find online was an obituary that mentioned that he was a volunteer fireman, barber, mosaic artist and all around jack of all trades. But the obituary mentioned nothing about tikis. I went to the Carlsbad historical society and Carlsbad's libraries. They had very little information on him and none of it mentioned tikis. I also drove around the neighborhood that includes Skyline Dr. I didn't see any sign of tikis. There could be some out there, lot's of the homes have large lots with overgrown ivy and shrubs. Then about a year ago, I saw an ad for an estate sale in the Skyline Dr. area of Carlsbad. I noticed in the back of one of the pics that there was going to be a tiki there! My brother and I went to the sale and he purchased the tiki. (He's a bigger collector of tikis than I). I was hoping that it was going to be a tiki carved by McKaig. I was a bit disappointed when we found it because I didn't think it looked too similar to the snow tiki, but it was obviously old and worth purchasing. (the white box on the tiki's lip is the price tag) I thought I had pretty much exhausted all of my research options. I figured it would take a great bit of luck to find out anything else about this guy. Well, I got lucky. I was researching in the Oceanside library. I went through about 20 boxes filled with random ephemera. Literally in the last box, I found a little local entertainment/recreation magazine from April of 1967. And in there, I found this. It was pretty awesome to find this article. It was also neat to know that the tiki my brother purchased was by McKaig. Here is an ad from Lanakai Lane that is mentioned in the article above. I think Bosko has a photo of the place when the tikis were still out there. Maybe he can find it and post it on here if he gets a chance. [ Edited by: Tiki Shaker 2011-11-30 21:31 ]

Here's something I've been researching for quite some time. A few years ago, I saw this in a book about the history of Carlsbad.

I searched his name, and all I could find online was an obituary that mentioned that he was a volunteer fireman, barber, mosaic artist and all around jack of all trades. But the obituary mentioned nothing about tikis. I went to the Carlsbad historical society and Carlsbad's libraries. They had very little information on him and none of it mentioned tikis. I also drove around the neighborhood that includes Skyline Dr. I didn't see any sign of tikis. There could be some out there, lot's of the homes have large lots with overgrown ivy and shrubs.

Then about a year ago, I saw an ad for an estate sale in the Skyline Dr. area of Carlsbad. I noticed in the back of one of the pics that there was going to be a tiki there! My brother and I went to the sale and he purchased the tiki. (He's a bigger collector of tikis than I). I was hoping that it was going to be a tiki carved by McKaig. I was a bit disappointed when we found it because I didn't think it looked too similar to the snow tiki, but it was obviously old and worth purchasing.

(the white box on the tiki's lip is the price tag)

I thought I had pretty much exhausted all of my research options. I figured it would take a great bit of luck to find out anything else about this guy. Well, I got lucky. I was researching in the Oceanside library. I went through about 20 boxes filled with random ephemera. Literally in the last box, I found a little local entertainment/recreation magazine from April of 1967.

And in there, I found this.

It was pretty awesome to find this article. It was also neat to know that the tiki my brother purchased was by McKaig.

Here is an ad from Lanakai Lane that is mentioned in the article above. I think Bosko has a photo of the place when the tikis were still out there. Maybe he can find it and post it on here if he gets a chance.

[ Edited by: Tiki Shaker 2011-11-30 21:31 ]

Post #615850 by Tiki Shaker on Wed, Nov 30, 2011 9:17 PM