MEMORIES PAGE 18!!

         

         

        My family moved to DC in '35. We used to watch the fireworks at the monument, and later at Clifton & 13th Streets at Central High School, which was my school. It is now Cardoza. After my youngest was born, instead of going back to work in a law office, I worked at Gifford's Ice Cream Store in Bethesda, Md. at night. The train crashed in Union Station the day Eisenhower was sworn in as President. The day Kennedy was sworn in, there was a very heavy snow storm, but the Kennedy's got to the Presidential Balls anyhow. The funeral procession for John Kennedy was walking up 17th Street to the Catholic Church on "M" Street, and I was able to view the participants, i.e., Jackie Kennedy and family, President DeGaulle, and the other heads of state, from the sidewalk by the church. I could feel the stillness throughout DC while everyone waited to see if Castro would remove the silos housing missiles. I was in downtown Washington when the announcement came that WWII was over, and everyone went wild. My first thought was to get a cab, go home and get out of there. The first time I saw Nat Cole was at the Brown Derby on Connecticut Avenue. I could go on, but 50 years of memories would take up a bit of space. 

        Bobbie

        I came across your site while looking for  the Dixie Pig barbecue on Marlboro Pike...I came to live in Hillside MD when I was 13, went to Maryland Park H.S.for one year, and then to Suitland H.S....I had a Saturday job at Neisner's in DC, and when I graduated H.S., I got a job at Perpetual Building Association at 11th and E NW...I remember a couple of clubs -Rand's, The Hayloft - I remember the Blue Mirror restaurant on 14th st. NW, where my first "grown-up" date took me to dinner.  They brought the dessert cart around and when I couldn't make up my mind, he told me topick BOTH!!...I remember that every time we had visitors from out of town, I had to take them to see all the sights - Washington Monument, Smithsonian, etc...Never did go to the White House, though...Picnics at Glen Echo...The trolley to Cabin John...


        I had my appendix removed in Sibley Hospital...My three oldest sons were born in G.W. Univ. Hospital...Before I left DC, I lived in an apartment at 16th and Fuller NW...I drowned my sorrows many a night at the Café Don on Connecticut Ave...


        Thanks for letting me share...

        Hello!
         
        I was goggling and ran across your web page, which I think is absolutely wonderful.  Brought back so many memories.  I am 60 years old and live in San Antonio Texas, but I am originally from Hagerstown, Maryland.  When I graduated from high school in 1964, I got a job with the federal government (as lots of us did at that time!), with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare on Maryland Ave SE in DC.  I remember at lunchtime we would go to a restaurant that was very near to the HEW, I think it was called Leonard's, they had THE BEST spaghetti I have ever eaten, even to this day.  The sauce was out of this world, and I think I ate it every day!!  Would love to know if it is still there, probably not, but you never know.  I also remember eating the Hot Fudge Ice Cream Cake at the Hot Shoppe's.  I roomed with three other girls in an apartment near Dupont Circle (back then it was safe!) and we used to eat a lot at a place call the Hubbard House.  Also, went to Benny's Rebel Room on 14th street and to Matt Kane's Little Bit of Ireland.  Sadly, I moved to Arlington, Va after a year and then went back to Maryland, but got married and came to Texas where I have been for 34 years...also, I will culminate my career with the federal government the end of this March 07, with a total of 43 years....DC gave me my start...I've always been proud to be a "Government Girl"!!!  Also, I noticed you had info on the name "Fisher", that was my maiden name, I read what you posted, but don't think it's any of my side of the family, I think they were all from up around Hagerstown. 
         
        Thank you.  Barbara Kistler (Fisher)
        Hello All,
         
        I came upon this site purely by accident.  I was a wearer of 19's or as some called them "Slingshots".  I have been trying to locate them for a long time.  I had every color including the last color that came out which was canary yellow.  I have been trying to locate the I. Miller shoe store which was located at 13th & "F" Street, N.W. for a long time.  I decided to try one last time today. I was born in D.C. in 1949 at Columbia Hospital for Women in Georgetown.  Yes, I'm African American and my siblings and I were born there!  I graduated from Ballou but only because I was there for the last 3 months of the school year.  I actually attended Anacostia before that.  I really enjoyed all of the old places you have listed.  I love this site.  Now, I have not seen D.C.'s own 19's listed yet.  Remember, you would have to go to the I.Miller shoe store on 13th Street to get your 19's ($19.99), or to Hahn's to get your 9's ($9.99) or to Baker's to get your 5's ($4.99) slingshots.  After leaving I. Miller you would walk to 9th a& "F" to, I believe the name of the store was K&K to pick out your matching leather bag.  Y'all remember? Another fond memory is during spring and summer on Friday evenings driving down to the Wharf with my family to Benny Bartney's (sp) for fresh filet of haddock sandwiches.  Oh, my goodness!  From there we would go to Haines Point to watch the planes come an

        Thank you

         

        Diane E. Johnson

        (301) 351-9542

        Great memories.  My parents gave me an outdoor birthday party when I was about 4 or 5 years old at Fort Dupont Park.  We played on the swings and had a cake outdoors.  I remember the old temporary war buildings on the Mall, too, as I read here in memories.  I vaguely remember the streetcars and the tiny little buildings in alleys.  I remember the Florida Avenue market.   We lived at one point near Coral Hills and our landlords slaughtered pigs in the Fall, during days when practices such as that were not governed by town statutes.  People also burned leaves and garbage outdoors if they wanted to. 
        I remember fording streams in cars in locations in Marlow Heights (just being developed), Rock Creek, and somewhere around Hyattsville.  I took swimming lessons in DC at the YWCA.  I remember that clothing stuck to us during Washington summers in days before A/C.  I remember putting a sprinkler top on a soda bottle and sprinkling clothing before ironing it.  I remember the DC Armory and Uline Arena. 

         

        Those were the days.  I remember a Chinese restaurant called Ruby Foo's.  Very good.  Also remember going to eat pizza at AV Ristorante Italiano, 7th and New York, NW.

         

        Maria
        The best Italian Bread ever made was on N. Capitol and O St. at Catania Bakery and right down the street was Crusty Pie Co.  Oh that smell when they were baking.

         

        I also recall the horse water troughs on N. Capitol and N Y ave, Big Ben Liquors and Street Cars with a huge circular brush in front to sweep snow off the tracks.
        Lloyd

         

        Just went online to research school shootings, specifically the one I well remember at Maryland Park Junior High (when it was a Jr. High - it had earlier been a High School I think), during the early 1950's.  I was in 8th or 9th grade at the time.  One of the students (I did not know him) came to school with a gun.  My P.O.D. teacher Mr. Richards tried to take it from him and was killed.  The boy also shot (but didn't kill) a coach and the Vice Principal before he was stopped.  All of us were in shock over it and talked of little else for days.  I can't remember if they ever determined a reason, or what happened to the boy.
         
        Thanks for all the good memories of D.C.  I particularly loved the National Gallery of Art & the Botanical Gardens (by the Capitol).  Left MD in 1981 because of the traffic and have never regretted it, but do miss all the wonderful free museums, zoo, etc.
         
        Margaret (Pross)
        Born 1941 in downtown D.C.

        I grew up in Arlington, Virginia.  I was on the Milt Grant Show in 1960 and remember how small the studio was.  But we had a ball watching Milt "sell" Tops Sirloiners with Tops' Secret Sauce while riding in a cardboard car!  My memories include:  Hot Shoppe's with Slim Jims and Orange Crushes, Movies with 3 D glasses, proms followed by a trip to Ocean City, going to Griffith Stadium, seeing the Harlem Globe trotters at Ft. Myers, warm nights without air conditioning and sleeping on a screened-in porch, going to clubs in DC like MAC's and Old MAC's and the Roundtable to dance, Glen Echo, Marshall Hall and the fun house, the wonderful decorated windows at Christmas in DC at Woodward and Lothrops and Garfinkels, Tysons' Corners when it was just two roads crossing each other, Giffords Ice Cream Shops, Haines Point for Miniature Golf and submarine races!  And so much more.  Weren't we lucky to live in the DC area in the sixties!

        What great memories.  I have been trying to write down what I remember of taking ballet lessons from M. Leon Fokine  and Ms. Marian Venable in a subterranean studio near S and Connecticut.  I remember buying leotards and so forth at a great ballet store with a name like Selva's or Selby's but don't remember the exact name or where it was.

         

        My favorite Hot Shoppes memory was going to the one in Shirlington with a careful of friends in my father's 1950 green Ford when I had been told explicitly not to drive anywhere except straight to my friend Carolyn's house and especially not to allow anyone else in the car.  Of course the car stalled and I couldn't get it started.  Panic!  There was a sorority  from another high school there.  All the girls were dressed weirdly during hazing.  And they all came to my rescue - gathering round and together pushing the car until I could pop the clutch and start it.  Eternal gratitude!

         

         Dorothy in Arlington

        I was young and in DC from Florida from 1968 to 1970-ish in DC.  Worked as a Go Go Girl in Casino Royal, Hay Loft, Clancy's and event the US Military Officer's club! Not topless or "exotic" but just real gogo dancers that they had back then, just having fun! Lived in residential hotel, Hotel 1440 on 1440 Rhode Island Avenue...its still there! An "after hours" club ran by old black guy named Pussy. I had the best pork chops there that I ever have eaten till this day. All clubs closed by around two a m, and club workers would gather at after hours clubs. This club ran by Pussy was just his apt, but you could play poker there, eat dinner that he cooked nightly, and sit around and shoot the breeze. Saw Redd Foxx there once. Good days.

        We lived at the Burlington Hotel in '53, '54 and '55 and I went to  Strong John Thompson public elementary school at the corner of 12th  and L Streets, right next door to the Washington News.  I lost  contact with my little girlfriend Laura Saslaw who lived around the corner.  We roller skated all over the city, sampled different church  coffee hours each Sunday (the best was at the National City Christian  Church at Thomas Circle) and played with our movie star paperdolls  and ginny dolls by the hour.  

        Jane Wolford Gavin

        Great site.  Ran into it by accident.
         
        Heard on the Channel 9 news last night (30 April 2007) that Milt Grant had died.  The news didn't tell his age or cause, they just made a very short announcement.  I wanted to know more, so I fed Milt Grant into my web search and found this site.
         
        All the memories everyone talks about our also fond memories of mine, especially Glen Echo.  All kids have today are Six Flags and Disney World.  They'll just never know.
         
        I grew up in Anacostia as did my husband.  We attended Ketcham Elementary, Kramer Jr. High (remember the Kramer Kapers?), and I graduated Anacostia HS in '62.
         
        For anyone looking for Anacostia classmates, there is a wonderful AHS web site.  ENJOY!
         
        http://www.anacostia.homestead.com/anacostia.html
         
        Joan (Shenandoah Valley, Virginia)
         

        Oh boy! what memories this site dredged up!  My mother and I  moved to Foggy Bottom in 1930 when I was four years old.  So you see I am older'n dirt.   We lived in an apartment between 21st and 22nd, on Eye Street.   Some years ago I cruised the neighborhood and NOTHING looked familiar.
        I understand the Westview Apartments where we lived is a GW Dorm now, that has had several feet added on to the front of the building.

         

        I attended Grant School and was glad to hear it is still standing and used by GW.  The Western Presbyterian church where I was married  is long gone, replaced by the World Bank, I think.  There was a year I attended a school on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue.  Can't remember why, but finished 5th and 6th grade at Grant school. 

         

            There was a wonderful outdoor farmer's market just below Pennsylvania Avenue, where I used to buy huge bouquets of Lilacs for my Mom on Mother's Day. We mostly shopped at a small Mom & Pop grocery store across the street from our apartment house, where they let us charge our groceries.  Mr. Sidell spoiled me by letting me read all the comic books, as long as I didn't wrinkle them.   He even sent them to the  hospital the summer I spent in Sibley, while my badly broken leg mended.    I had run between the cars, headed for  his grocery store.  The ICE Truck! was double parked (remember stealing a chunk of ice in the hot days of summer?)   The driver waved me on across and into the path of a small passenger car.   He was so distraught about hitting me.   I was just a distraught because I'd lost my two pennies I intended to use to buy candy.    Candy has been my nemesis for a lifetime!  (Oh my yes! I remember Velati's caramels!!)

         

            Mama and I used to go to Glen Echo on the trolley car.  In fact I rode the trolley to Gordon Junior High and Western Senior High school.  I think I read every book in the library at the bus stop on 35th street!   Once Mama came to the junior high and told the principal that I had a dentist appointment and she needed to get me excused for the afternoon.  Boy! I drug my feet as we left.   Outside she pinched me and said, "Hush!  there's no dentist appointment....we're going to the Circus!" What a cool Mom she was!   The ride to the Circus was back down Wisconsin Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue and on out New York Avenue....I don't know where from there.....but it was a LONG ride, but so worth it!   I was privileged to take my young son to the same grounds for his first Circus.

         

            My best friend was Jane Butler who lived in a real house.   I've lost track of my school friends and wonder if Iris Rollins died.  She'd be at least as old as I am, if she lives...nearly 81.    I've lived in Missouri or Arkansas most of my married life.   First as Jerry Butler, 2nd marriage Jerri Riley and 3rd as Jerri Hahs.  No divorces, I just can't seem to keep them alive!

         

            Washington, DC was like a small town in the 40's.  I went anywhere....day and night......and never feared for my safety.   I loved the stores at Christmas and all the parks.  Ice skating on the Reflecting Pool, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument!  all so wonderful.  My friends and I would visit the Smithsonian and peer at the jars of babies with two heads, or whatever.   That exhibit has long been sealed off, but we delighted in the shivers it gave us.

         

            My first son was born at Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Maryland.   His Daddy was still in the Navy then but after discharge we moved to Southeast Missouri where he returned to college, while I settled in to being a housewife and mother.    It's been a wonderful life.  

         

            I wonder if there's anyone out there as old as I am?

         

        The theaters in down town DC that were together were RKO Keith’s.

        I use to drink beer ($.25 each at The Hill Top, usually after school……………up Wisconsin Ave , St. Albans !

        How about a place in Georgetown , Monkey Business, Momma Cass! Mister Henry’s across the street, courted my wife there!

         

        HELLO EVERYONE,  WHAT A TREAT TO BE ABLE TO READ ALL OF THE MEMORIES OF OUR BELOVED DC.  OH WHAT A GLORIOUS PLACE TO BE BORN AND RAISED. 
         
        I WAS BORN AND RAISED (UNTIL THE AGE OF 13) AT 11TH AND SOUTH CAROLINA AVE S.E.  WHAT FUN WE HAD.  I REMEMBER, LIKE BUCK, THE PENN, AVENUE GRAND AND THE ACADEMY MOVIE THEATERS.  ALSO ALL THE OTHER SPOTS BUCK MENTIONED.  BY THE WAY, THE 5 AND 10 WAS KRESGE'S AT 7TH AND THE AVE (AS WE CALLED IT).  HOW ABOUT OLD DOC'S DRUGSTORE AT 11TH AND C S.E.  MY BROTHER JIM AND HIS FRIENDS HUNG OUT THERE GROWING UP.
         
        ALSO, BUCHANAN ELEMENTARY, HINE JUNIOR HIGH AND EASTERN HIGH.  LOTS OF PEOPLE TO REMEMBER ALSO.  HOPE SOME OF YOU THAT WENT TO THESE SCHOOLS IN THE 40'S AND 50'S  ARE READNG THIS. 
         
        REMEMBER ROACH'S DRUGSTORE ON 8TH ST. AND THE BOWLING ALLEY, GIOVANETTI'S.  MY GRANDMOTHER LIVED AT 12TH AND E STREETS SE, SO WE ALL SPENT A LOT OF TIME AT THE BUCHANAN SCHOOL PLAYGROUND.  ANYONE REMEMBER DOMINIC'S CORNER STORE AT 13TH AND E, WHERE THE HOT DOGS WERE SO GOOD???  ABSHER'S GARAGE ON E STREET. 
         
        REMEMBER LINCOLN PARK, WHERE YOU COULD TAKE A STROLL AND GET A SNOWBALL, SOMETIMES WITH ICE CREAM IN THE BOTTOM, (IF YOU HAD A DIME)  GOOD LUCK!! HAHA!!
         
        FOND MEMORIES OF RIDING THE STREETCARS FROM PENNA AVE SE TO DOWNTOWN.  WE MOVED TO HILLCREST SOUTHEAST OFF BRANCH AVENUE AND LIVED THERE UNTIL 1968, AT WHICH TIME WE MOVED TO MARYLAND.  STILL SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN DC.  
         
        ANYONE REMEMBER THE QUONSET HUT OR STRICKS  OR THE KPI??  OF COURSE THE DIXIE PIG ON MARLBORO PIKE  IN CORAL HILLS, WHAT A TREAT THAT WAS.  MY OLD FRIEND EDNA WORKED THERE FOR A LONG TIME.  BOY WERE THOSE BARBEQUE'S DELISH OR WHAT!!
         
        HEY CHARLIE OF N.W. ARE YOU REFERRING TO THE SAME DIXIE PIG OR DO YOU MEAN THE ONE ON BLADENSBURG ROAD??   LET ME KNOW.
         
        WELL, THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO WRITE BUT MY TIME IS SHORT TODAY.  KEEP ON DOING THIS WONDERFUL TRIBUTE TO OUR PRECIOUS DC.
         
        FOR DC ALWAYS, THE PIPER'S
         
        JOAN  (BROTHER JIM, SISTERS DORIS, GLORIA AND DIANE)

          

        HI DEBI,  THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL SITE AND TO ALL THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO HAVE WRITTEN THEIR MEMORIES.   I SENT YOU SOME OF MINE A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND WANT TO ADD SOME MORE.  HOPE TO SEE MINE ON LINE SOON,.
         
        SOME MORE SOUTHEAST MEMORIES ARE:
         
        PARADING UP AND DOWN IN FRONT OF THE AVENUE GRAND MOVIE ON HALLOWEEN DRESSED UP  IN OUR COSTUMES AND THROWING CONFETTI.  WHAT FUN
         
        GREEN'S OYSTER HOUSE ON 8TH STREET S.E
        NALLEY'S FUNERAL HOME  (MY RELATIVES)
        THE DARMSTEAD FAMILY ON 10TH ST. SE, WITH COAL AND ICE COMPANY IN THE REAR AND EVENTUALLY BECAME B&H TRUCKING COMPANY.  (ALSO MY RELATIVES)
        FRIENDSHIP HOUSE
        LESLIE TAYLOR SETTING ON THE RAIL OUTSIDE OF THE HIGHLAND MOVIE. (PERMANENT FIXTURE)
        OAK GROVE BEACH
        TRITON BEACH
        MERRIMAC PRIVATE SCHOOL (ALABAMA AVE)
        SAMPAN CHINESE RESTAURANT (7TH  & THE AVENUE SE)
        DRAGON CHINESE RESTAURANT (DOWNTOWN "G" ST NW I THINK)
        JORDAN PIANO COMPANY AT 13TH AND G STS N.W.
        HAMBURGER RESTAURANT ON THE CORNER OF 9TH AND G NW  (ANYONE KNOW THE NAME)???
         
        BREWER SNYDER POTATO CHIP FACTORY IN THE ALLEY BY BUCHANAN SCHOOL, WHERE YOU COULD BUY A GROCERY BAG FULL OF HOT FRESH CHIPS FOR .35 CENTS
         
        HAPPY THOUGHTS,  JOAN
        PIPER918@AOL.COM
         
        I was born in N.W. D.C.  was raised in S.E.  went to Bryan, Hine, Chamberlain and Eastern.  Many trips to Lincoln Park, to Highs, Peoples, riding the street car to Glen Echo, also going to Marshall for the day.
        I lived there before B STREET BECAME INDEPENDENCE AVE,  use to play Hop-Scotch in the street, play tag.
        Would love to hear from anyone who was going to Bryan Elem. 1938.
        who lived in S.E. ??? 1933 - 1956    went to Bryan, Hine, Eastern and Chamberlain, oh the memories of those days...Lincoln Park, Stanton Park, Peoples, Highs, cold watermelons for .10 - .25cents, trips to Eastern Market, Little Tavern and the movies   could go on forever   anyone one in this era, please email  msmom526.msn.com

         

        Margie
         

         

        Do YOU have any memories of D.C.? If so, please e-mail me and I will add them to this page.

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