MEMORIES - PAGE TWENTY TWO !!!!!
          Thanks Everyone




          I have been reminded of many great memories on this site but I have not seen some of the following or some of these events and details: The horse drawn carts that were always tied up at O St. Market (at 7th St.), that brought produce into the neighborhoods? Anyone remember the fountain out in the river at the end of Haines Point that shot up about 100 feet? The candy stores on the 800 block of F St. with the jars of candy, nuts, popcorn, cotton candy, those red edible strings you buy by the yard.

          We would go to the Washington Monument then walk up and down the stairs (this sounds like a big fish story, but true)! The old sawdust-like aroma and worn wooden floors at Kresgees and Woolworth's Five and Dimes. The Vista racetrack off Old Lottsford Rd. The circus and the Harlem Globetrotters at the Uline Ice Arena. The Orange Freezes from Hot Shoppes - with the cherry on top! Their burgers on the sesame buns, two burgers with a slice of bread between and an orange sauce - I think they were called Mighty Moes. The Polar Bear Frozen Custard shop with the white stucco and imbedded little mirror chips on Georgia Ave by Piney Branch Rd where the Safeway is now, they had the best lemon Custard, is this stuff available anywhere now? Burger Chef & Jenos or Genos (fast food restaurants) Concerts at the Lowes Palace Theater Dances at the Presidential Ballroom on the 1300 block of G St. Friday night street races on Hawaii Ave.

          The TV dance show that was aired from the WOOK radio station on Riggs Rd. - I forgot the name of the show, anyone know it? The man who climbed the radio tower and thew his clothes off. The Canteen at Coolidge High School I had almost forgotten about the some of these but reminiscing and posting the names and details here really jogged my pleasant memories, Keep it up!

          J Chandler

          Debi - (If I have written to you before, please excuse me. I think I just found your website yesterday, but I may have seen one like it; don't remember). // Officially, I first moved to DC for my first job on Capitol Hill in April, 1959. But my uncle was the former president of Southern Railroad and lived in Spring Valley, so I had been to DC over the years--first around 1944 for visits. And the last time I worked there, I commuted from Baltimore, secretarying at Washington Hospital Center and The Watergate Office Building until 1986.// First roomed on Q St., Georgetown but moved into my own apartment at 1765 R St., NW--my address until the summer of 1964.// I have been trying to find someone else who can recall a coffee company that was located not far from F St., NW on a little side street near Pennsylvania Ave., where there was a display showing a little Negro figure sitting cross-legged and sipping (coffee) from a cup. As he enjoyed his coffee, his eyes would roll in delight and joy, and then he would have another cup. I believe it was there as late as the 1980s, but I am not sure. I don't remember the name of the company either. I wonder if anyone else remembered it or knew what became of it. // I was on the Glen Echo streetcar the last day it ran. Across the aisle, there was a man with his two children, and he said "Think about this guys, this is a memory that will last your lifetime!" There certainly was a lot to remember. I think my favorite time was when the Kennedys lived in the White House, and Caroline and John tethered their ponies on the lawn! // T. V. Kellar - Shelbyville,TN

          I was born in DC in 1946 at Freedman's Hospital. I grew up in Brookland on Monroe Street, NE. I went to Mott Elementary School mostly because my dad worked at Freedman's , my mom at Howard Medical school in Pathology. After a while, I think it was because they didn't trust me to be home alone, rightly so, I suspect. After elementary school I went to Taft Jr. High and walked to school every day. Then I went on to McKinley Technical High School, where I now work as Director of Admissions, Alumni Affairs and I started a 501 c 3 to raise money to supplement the programs, students, faculty and staff of McKinley.

          I remember streetcars. They were my favorite. I loved taking it down to the central library and spending late Saturday afternoons there when I was young. In Brookland the attractions were the soda fountain at the Peoples Drug, the Newton theater. I rode my bike all over Brooklyn. The Monastery was a particular favorite. In my back yard in the early 50's I could still find turtles, small snakes, lots of birds, squirrels - a host of critters. It was great. Baldwin's Bakery on Sunday morning, my goodness the rolls, and the donuts, oh my!

          Llewellyn Berry,
          '65 McKinley Technology High School
          Director of Admissions, Alumni, Business Affairs 1
          51 T Street NE
          Washington, DC 20002
          Phone: 202 281-3950 x 5225
          Fax: 202 576-6279
          Hello to all former and current residents of D.C. and the general area.    I don't know if this is an active site still but thought I would add a few of my memories, just in case. 
           
          I recall many of the same  places mentioned by previous writers. The large downtown department stores( don't think I read from anyone about Jelleff's close to Hecht's in Silver Spring) and the wonderful  animated Christmas displays, the street cars, Griffith Park and the Washington Senators, Glen Echo, Marshall Hall, canoeing on the C & O canal, U. of Md. at College Park ice cream, Griffiths ice cream shop, the White Tower and the 10 cent hamburgers, the Hot Shoppes,  Mrs. K's Toll House in Silver Spring, the downtown 5 and dime on F street I believe, The Capitol Theater with its wonderful organ and live shows along with the great movies, the open air amphitheater on upper 16th street  N.W. for out door shows in the summer, Walter Reed Army Hospital between 16th N.W. and 7th St, Lafayette Park, the wonderful military bands that played at  the USO, the beaches on the Bay, Ocean City, wonderful Maryland soft shell crab cakes, the Downtown  D.C. Blue Mirror Restaurant and bar at night and their great chocolate pie, etc., etc.  Not to mention the zoo and all the historical buildings.
           
          But I would like to add a few of my own unique memories that may include areas and situations not addressed as yet.
           
          I was born in 1940 at the old Doctor's Hospital. My father's roots go back to the 1700's in Montgomery County Maryland( Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Poolesville, Potomac, Comas, Hyattstown areas) but mom was from Michigan.  She came south to D.C. in the early 1930's with her older brother and widowed mother due to the Depression. They first lived in SE area but eventually Grandmom bought an old brownstone house at about 1000 K st N.W. that she turned into a Boarding House. Renting out to many Congressmen and other government types.  When I was two my parents and I moved to 1815 Kenyon St. NW, which was a three story row house built sometime in the 1880's in the Mount Pleasant Area of NorthWest about a block or two from the back gate to the Washington Zoo. I recall the neighborhood with much fondness. The coal truck that dumped the coal down a slide to our basement so we could heat the water that warmed the house via radiators  in the winter. Mom had an "ice box " in the kitchen and I recall "OLE JOE" (yes that was his name) and his ice truck during the summers when he brought blocks of ice to keep our food cold. And he always had a fun story to tell us kids that entertained us so much. I recall running away to the zoo the summer of 1948 with my then best friend Patty Montague. The parents were so relived to see us when we returned after a full day of enjoying ourselves on our own that I don't recall being punished.  During the war (WWII) my father was the neighborhood air raid warden. With his binoculars he would travel from one roof to another along those old row houses searching the air for enemy planes and when the air raid sirens would go off he would also walk the neighborhood streets making sure no lights from inside the homes could be seen. To this day I am unsettled when I hear a siren of any kind.  Mom used one blackened painted light bulb and very very heavy drapes at the windows. There would be a fine if any light leaked out. Even as young as I was and didn't really understand I felt the scary feelings of the times.  
          Back to the zoo for a moment-don't recall what year it was now but one year D.C. in the 40's  had  a large snow storm that closed the Zoo down completely but us local folks could take our sleds and use the zoo as our own private park and snow play ground. That was so much fun.                                                                                                                          I     attended elementary school at Bancroft till the last half of 6th grade when our family moved to a new home in Silver Spring. That was 1951. Attended Eastern Junior High at four corners and later old Montgomery Blair  on Sligo Creek Parkway graduating in 1958.
           
          D.C. in the 40's and 50's was a very special place to me. Like an overgrown  small southern town in many ways.  A couple quick memories to share- one of my mother's and one of mine.  In the 1930's Eleanor Roosevelt held Teas at the White House usually in the Rose Garden. Mostly for women, I do believe.  About 1937 Mom received an invite to attend. Her mom crocheted a lovely dress with a gone with the wind  hat, gloves and a purse to match. I still have the outfit along with the invitation and a thank you note for a pair of crocheted gloves that Grandmom made for Eleanor as a gift. They weren't close friends but my family lived in the neighborhood of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
           
          I have so many wonderful unique to the area memories but one more to quickly share. When President Kennedy's body was brought back to D.C. and the casket placed in the  Capitol Rotunda  my future sister in law and I were among the thousands that stood in line all night to pay our respects. I recall wearing 3 inch high heels and being dressed up somewhat in a hat and gloves and standing next to business men with their briefcases, families with small children, teens that gave the appearance of being gang members from the near by slum areas and all of us quietly, respectfully visiting with each other as we stood in line for at least 12 hours.  We were all as one-Americans grieving over our downed President-no matter what our politics or back ground  in life at the moment was. It left a strong impression on me over the years. The feeling of togetherness as Americans.  
           
          Thank you every one for the memories  and I wonder how many old friends are reading this list.   Do contact me if you wish.
          Jackie, now in Idaho
          grandmajk6@msn.com

          Dear Deb. Thanks you so much for memory Lane. I was born in Sibley Hospital in ’46.  We grew up in north east Washington on Franklin Street. Went to Langdon Elementary , played in Langdon park almost every day. We could walk through our back yard through the woods and be in the park!  My Dad drove the street car and DC Transit buses.  There was a man who lived on our street named Mr. Munger who had a 2 legged hog – for real!!

          If any one remembers that, please reply.  He later had a bus where he took the hog on display.  This hog walked on his two front legs.  When we have shared this in the past very few people believe our family including my husband!  We lived at 2016 Franklin and Mr. Munger lived two houses  down from us.  When that hog got loose, we got out of the way.  I remember Highs Ice cream, Peoples drug store, frozen custard, we played on the play ground of St. Francis DeSales.  Walked to the DGS, went downtown to see the Christmas lights and decorated windows at Woodward and Lothrop.  Played hide and go seek all summer til it got dark.  Up the street were a (wonderful Italian family)  First time I had figs from a tree –( the grandfather grew.)

          I remember the Jewell tea man and the fuller brush man.  I could go on and on.  I loved my childhood in DC.  We later moved to Greenbelt, Bladensburg (loved the roller rink, yes with organ music!)

          We also  moved to Oxon Hill and I graduated from Oxon Hill High.

          Visits to DGS on Franklin St lots of penny candy!! Mary Janes, juicy fruit gum, lick a made, bazooka bubble gum, etc.

          Highs Ice Cream on Rhode Island Ave.

          Riding on DC Transit downtown shopping

          Woody’s at Christmas time

          The National Christmas tree with the live Nativity

          Milt Grant

          Ranger Hal

          Romper Room

          Pick Temple

          Sledding on 20th St. hill

          Playing at the St Frances DeSale’s play yard

          Loved going with friends downtown sight seeing on days off from school (back when you walked up the Monument!!

          Mighty Moe

          Hot Shopps, China Sea

          When to church at the National Church of God on Penn. Ave. S.E near Fairfax Circle

          Christmas gifts from Grandma purchased at Morton’s in Anacostia ($1.00 PJs)

          And the list goes on.

           I would love to find out if any one remembers Munger’s Hog.  Mr. Monger had a hog that did not have back legs, so it had to walk on his front legs.  My friends and some family members (including my husband)  does not believe us when we share this story.  Could some- body help me out?

           

          Thanks again for this wonderful web site

          Darlene Gaines Hodge

          napsdar@comcast.net





           

          D.C. is my home.  I was born in October 1949 and I was born in
          Garfield Hospital.  It was torn down in the late 50s and there is a Senior Citizen housing
          development that is still there.  The gates are still there also.

          I started kindergarten at age 4 at Crumell Elementary and
          graduated from R. K. Webb elementary in 1960.  I went to Browne Junior High School up to the 8th grade.  My parents decided to build a home in Warrenton, VA.

          I grew up on Trinidad Avenue, N.E.  I was part of the VFW Drum &
          Bugle Corp. headed by Mr. & Mrs. Albert  & Inez Shorter.  We were a terrific band and I
          was 1st majorette (too little to be with the older girls) but I was right behind the banner name!  Boy, you couldn't tell me too much.

          My folks looked like an inter-racial couple and a lot of times,
          my mother could not go into establishments because she was unmistakably brown skin.  My father looked like he was white complete with light blue eyes and I got to go into establishments, such as Glen Echo because I was fair enough in complexion to get through with no incidents.

           And speaking of the Frozen Reindeer and the Polar Bear where you
          got the frozen custard --and LEMON FROZEN custard.   And do you remember High's Ice cream? They too had lemon chiffon ice cream -- there is NOTHING on Earth that good.  I
          wish Rita's would listen and make the lemon custard a part of their list!  It is a DC thing
          because I don't remember having this ANYWHERE else.  And how about Eddie Leonards over on Bladensburg Road?  I had to have an Eddie Burger and wash it down with a BLACK CHERRY MILKSHAKE!  Only in DC.

          Monica Sanowar                      Monica_Sanowar@aporter.com
          Legal Secretary
          Arnold & Porter LLP                 Telephone:  202-942-5366
          555 Twelfth Street, NW              Fax:        202-942-5999
          Washington, DC  20004-1206

          Memories of DC as it used to be?  Oh, yes!  How about Gifford's Ice 
Cream, Topps, home of the Sir Loiner hamburgers and the BEST fried 
onion rings this side of heave? I was born at Walter Reed smack in the 
middle of World War II and have been a true Washingtonian ever since.  
I particularly remember Pick Temple's TV show and I was, at one time, a 
card-carrying Temple Ranger.  For several years, I absolutely insisted 
that I had to have a Heidi Bakery birthday cake.  Ah, the power of 
advertising! I especially loved going to Glen Echo and riding the 
merry-go-round and the bumper cars that sparked. The roller coaster 
scared me. Did you every ride on he majestic (to my eyes) Swan Boat on 
the Tidal Basin? I danced one time in the Milt Grant show and was 
amazed how much smaller the studio looked in real life than on TV. My 
little brother adored the Hoppity-Skippity Show.  My grandmother took 
me once a year to have a posh lunch at the Green Room at the F St. 
Garfinkle's department store. I had to get dressed up for that.  There 
was always a ladies fashion show to watch while we ate our tiny chicken 
salad sandwiches.  And I recall the beautiful store windows at 
Christmas time.  That was a treat--to stay out after dark in order to 
see the windows at night.  We always took the trolly downtown and I 
remember the thin paper transfers that I was warned not to lose. 
Finally, I remember Velati's caramels.  There always seemed to be a box 
of hem around our house as we all had sweet teeth.
Mary Washburne

          I WAS BORN IN 1943 AT THE OLD GARFIELD HOSP ON 13 TH ST. I LIVED IN N. W. D.C. UNTIL I CAME HOME FROM THE SERVICE AND MOVED TO MARYLAND. I HAVE A LOT OF SIMILAR MEMORIES AS SOME OF YOUR OTHER CONTRIBUTORS. LET ME SEE IF I CAN REMEMBER SOME OF THEM. 1. I WAS A REGULAR ON THE MILT GRANT SHOW. MY FATHER WORKED AT THE RALEIGH HOTEL AND GOT ME ON THE SHOW. 2. I WORKED AT THE MIGHTY MO ON NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE. AS A WAITER AND A CAR HOP. 3. I WORKED AS A WAITER AND CAR HOP AT THE SILVER SPRING HOT SHOP. 4. I WAS AN USHER FOR LEOWS PALACE ON F ST. 5. I WAS AN USHER FOR THE SILVER THEATER IN SILVER SPRING. 6. I WAS A PAPER BOY FOR THE EVENING STAR 7. I ALSO WORKED FOR DON DILLARD A DISC. JOCKEY AT WDON RADIO IN WHEATON. I SOLD TICKETS TO HIS SOCK HOPS AT GLEN ECHO, HYATT. ARMORY AND SILVER SPRING ARMORY. MY FRIEND BARRY RICHARDS WHO ALSO LATER BECAME A D.J GOT ME THE JOB AT THE SOCK HOPS ALL THE ABOVE WAS DONE IN THE LATE 50 S AND EARLY 60 'S I WAS A BIG KID, (TALL) AND LIED ABOUT MY AGE TO GET SOME OF THOSE JOBS. I DID MOST OF THEM WHILE STILL ATTENDING SCHOOL. I WENT TO BRIGHTWOOD ELEM ON NICHOLSON ST IN N. W. D.C. I ALSO WENT TO PAUL JR. HIGH SCHOOL</ color="#99cc00"
          Does anyone remember Suburban Gardens, the NE DC amusement park that closed around the start of WWII? I’m desperate to find photos of it. Mara Cherkasky 

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