I grew up in the 80s in a Southern California suburb. All the neighborhood kids used the transformer box as a meeting place. My first kiss was absolutely at one that looked really similar to this. I haven’t thought about Becky C. in decades.

Another transformer box story:

Before helicopter parenting was standard, folks used to let their kids wander around the neighborhood pretty much as soon as they could talk. All the kids watched each other. 12 year olds hanging out with 4 year olds. When I was part of the older kids group, we had convinced the younger kids (the ones that couldn’t yet read) that the transformer box was actually a trap that housed an electrical monster, thanks to this sticker:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Ouch

I’m pretty sure the recent release of Ghostbusters had influenced this story and the acceptance of it.