MEMORIES - PAGE 6

My mother returned to Washington, D.C. in 1933 bringing her three children with her. Her father was an antique dealer-interior decorator who supplied some items for the White House. She used to take the three of us out to tour Washington every weekend so we visited a lot of the museums. Since she was a movie goer, we probably visited every theatre in Washington and even some in Virginia.

I remember the wonderful call of the black men who wandered down the alleys calling at the top of their lungs, "Strawberries, watermelon". When honey glazed donuts were introduced in the area, I can remember having warm, freshly baked donuts before going to school. We also used to have a Holmes bakery truck which travelled through our neighborhood each day. Also you could buy watermelons on the pier at the end of 7th Street. The schools we attended were Bancroft, Powell (which is no longer in existence), and Central which is now Cardozo. I can remember too when the streetcars in the Mount Pleasant area were open air, like San Francisco's cable cars. Someone mentioned the Arcade Market on 14th Street. That was where we had our first taste of Pepsi. You could get a pepsi and hotdog for about a dime.

We used to go to the People's Drug Store on the corner of 14th and Park Road and buy three candy bars for a total of ten cents! Fannie May's candystore which was located next door to the Tivoli Theatre was another great place to visit. Great chocolates! So many great memories of living in a wonderful, city. After we moved away, we became very aware of how informed we were on the daily happenings in the world.

Bervie

Until I read all the memory pages, I thought that I was the only one in the world who remembered Pic Temple and Milt Grant.

I lived in the Congress Heights section of S.E. D.C. Went to Congress Heights Elementary School and Hart Junior High before moving to Virginia in 1961.

Washington was such a beautiful city to grow up in. All the wonderful windows and lights in the stores "Downtown" at Christmas. Glen Echo and Haines Point. Riding on the Wilson Line to Mt. Vernon on a school trip. I remember one of the first McDonalds in the area. Drinking Lime Rickeys at Mellons Drug Store. Also ordering pizza from the Leaning Towers. Great Memories!

Wanda

My husband also had a stroke in 1997. He lost part of his memory and the visual perception. I am 45 years old and was born in D.C. and grew up in Silver Spring. I remember the old Silver Spring Theater and Giffords Ice Cream ..Of course I can't forgot the Frozen Custard on Georgia Avenue. Wow that was the good old days... I went to Blair of course..

Remember Woolworths with the Soda Fountain on Flower Ave? Well, it is gone and MCory's is there instead..

Jan

Places I remember:******

Little Tavern..all around
White Town...4th & Rhode Island Ave. NE
Hot Shoppe...14th & R.I. Avenue. NE
Tops Sirloiner....Ager Rd & New Hampshire Ave
Mighty Mo..Queenstown
Drive In Movie...Queenstown
Hodges Roast Beef (.75- too big to bite) 6th & N.Y.Ave.
NW Theatres********
Atlas & Pricess..H St. NE
.15 Beverly.....15th St. NE
Tivoli...14th & Park Rd.
Jesse...18th & Irving NE
Newton...12th & Newton NE
Kaywood...Mt. Rainier
Frozen Custard**
Raindeer Polar Bear
Langdon Swimming Pool...Off Franklin
McKinley Tech Swimming Pool..Tech HS
RoseDale Swimming Pool...19th st. NE
Turkey Thicket Playgrond and BallFields
Baltimore Deli..Blad. Rd. NE
Eddie Leonards...Blad Rd. NE
Dances***
St. Martin and St Frances Desales
Simmons Mobile Store (bus) came by twice a week sold everything
My Mom and Dad were arrested on the beach for kissing..Mayo Beach and fined $10.00, even appreared on "I've Got a Secret" nobody guessed it
Good Humor Ice Cream Trucks..vanilla Popsicle .05
Radio Programs***
Bull Dog Drummond, The Shadow, The Green Hornet, Inner Sanctum, Gangbusters, Fibber McGee and Molly That's all for Now............

ED

What a wonderful collection of memories from D.C. refugees. My name is Anne Himmler and had two brothers, both in Jeffeson JH. I went to St. Dominic's during 40-50's, Many memories of St. Dominic's.

I went to Immaculate Conception Academy after St. Dominic's.. How about Harrigan's near the school? Also Billy''s on seventh st. Looking for someone nicknamed T.B. He had friends on seventh st.

Anne Himmler

Wow! I have to say again, as all of you have said, that reading those memories certainly brought a flood of nostalgia back. I have talked with many of you online in my recent quest for DC genealogy, so It was wonderful to read your memories.

As all of you I grew up in DC area, Im a 10th generation Virginian. My mother grew up in DC, in the Foggy Bottom area. My grandparents, actually my grandfather dabbled in many business ventures, that later began landmarks.. such as Clements Bakery and the Ebbitts Grill.

My mother attended Western High School, which is now Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts. She also went to nursing school, a three year diploma program at the old Garfield Hospital, which now apart of Washington Hospital Center. I too attended a three nursing program, which was associated with Alexandria Hospital at Duke Street, which the program and the hospital are gone.. I met my husband there while I was in training. But like everything that hospital is gone, as well as all three year nursing programs, and Alexandria Hospital is now located on Seminary Road. But I recently got a picture of old Duke Street.

I remember all those Christmases.. going shopping at Woodies downtown, before suburban malls invaded our landscape, Tyson's Corners being the first.. since had sprawled or Northern Virginia. Seeing all those lovely displays in the windows, yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Going to Valeti's to watch them crack carmels and get both kinds..I liked the sugary soft ones. At of all those stores that have been mentioned it's sad to think that Hechts, the May Company from the Midwest is the only one that has survived. I remember if you wanted a good dress for evening or something fancy you went to Garfinkel's, regular everyday you went to Woodies.

Going in the summertime to Reeve's to get Strawberry Pie.. what a treat. I later worked for a Doctor downtown and was able to bring them on Friday nites, while my son was little. And, oh yes, going to the Carter Baron, pre Wolf Trap, and Giffords Ice Cream. We went to church at St. Anthony's at Baileys Crossroads and have family that still live there. We got Peppermint Ice Cream Rolls, every Christmas and the does anyone remember the rabbit one's in pastel colors for easter. Also does anyone remember the Piper Field that was located at Bailey's Crossroads, which is now Skyline Towers with Apartments and Office Buildings.

When I was small, my mom and lived in Arlington on Courthouse Rd, while my dad was on sea duty. Does anyone remember Brenner's Bakery? I use to ask for a Rabbit Birthday cake every year, Well those brothers are still caring on the tradition, they haven't closed yet. There is one in Alexandria and the original one in Arlington. Also, does anyone remember Parkington? where they have a Hecht Company. So where did this Ballston name come into play. That whole area is like a no-man's land for me now when I venture that way.

But then we moved further to the burbs and I grew up in Annandale. I went to Catholic school at St. Anthony's at Baileys Crossroads and High School at Flint Hill Prep, which was saved from going out of existence. But, oh yes, going to 7 Corners that was the closet suburban mall even if you were outside. Going to S&W for lunch or dinner and your choice of both Garfinckels or Woodies.

We spent summers going to the bay, to Beverly Beach, which is above Mayo MD. Did anyone else go there? They had great fries, a boardwalk, and an arcade. Sorry folks no video games, but slot machines and other amusements.

Oh so many things have gone, or changed. Im not that old but I do sometimes sound old when I tell people that I hate progress.. But I love Washington with all is diversions.

JC Stafford, Virginia.

My mom grew up in D.C. She went to Eastern Jr. High and Blair High School ('61) and was on the Milt Grant show. My dad went to High Point ('60) and lived in College Park (Hollywood). Matter of fact, she now is part of a dance club and still dances every week with a lot of her old friends. Alot of people from all the D. C./Montgomery County schools dance with them as well. I think it's called the D.C./Maryland Hand Dance Association.

I was born in Takoma Park and lived off of Piney Branch Rd by the bowling alley. until I was 3. I remember my mom/dad taking me to the Hot Shoppes and the Mighty Mo. Whatever happened to Shakey's and The Red Barn? I remember my Grandpa taking me on Sunday's to all the little stores on the corner of 29 and University and the stores on Piney Branch and University to get little goodies out of the gumball machines. The bakery's there were so good!!!

Jo Dee Nickolson Frasco

I remember the food memories always. Before integration, for special holidays we went to a place in Virginia just across the river called Dunmovin (done moving) that served delicious meals family style with iced tea already sweetened with fresh lemon. They did move at least once again to a basement on 17th near R and still great! My mother loved crab fried oysters from the Flagship seafood restaurant. I loved those rum buns from Hogate's. I'm still searching for recipes or a cookbook from Stephenson's- the bakery that all of Washington adored with the most heavenly tea cookies and Danish pastry and the best pies until I discovered Reeve's on F Street with strawberry pies. Woodie's was special with Wellesly Fudge Cakes and lovely peach tarts. Daddy would just hint that he was going to Annapolis to get some of Mrs. Katherine Gray's crabcakes and I wasn't movin' from that car. She served them up on saltines and stacked in a brownpaper bag. No institution has replicated them to this day- God bless her. I understand her daughter missed the tricks because she followed her Mom in business but hadn't paid attention. Mighty Moes, Teen Twists, Onion rings and shrimp boxes...why doesn't somebody bring them back- they were classics everybody loved and looked forward to as a collosal treat!

Linda H.

Does anyone remember Droop's music store on the corner of 13th and G Street, N.W.? We teenagers would go in, choose a popular record of the day and go into a sound proof booth and play it several times. You could either return it to the clerk or pay .35cents to take it home. Also how about the open air street car that took you to Glen Echo. And the street car that began at Mt. Pleasant--just off 16th St, N.W.---and you could ride all the way down town to F Street. Get off at the Fox Theater, see a movie AND vaudeville for .35 cents, if you got in before l2 o'clock. After 12 noon it was 50 cents. Someone mentioned Hofbergs. That's where we would go after a movie date and stuff ourselves with the free pickles. Then order a 3 inch high sandwich on rye bread and a coke. Yes, those were kind and gentle days that we will never see again. I have enjoyed strolling down memory lane. Thanks for the Memories! I was born and raised in D.C, and worked there until I married and moved to Silver Spring.

Eleanor

What a wonderful site you guys have!!! I was reading one on somone who went to Western High School, just wanted to add a note about the famous "Hang-Out" that we all call "Jack and Charlies" that was across the street, along with the "Western Pharmacy". Everyone called it Jack and Charlies, stemming from the previous owners in the 40's. It changed owners in 50-51 to the Davis Grill. BUT, the name "Jack and Charlies " had become so famous that it stuck until I am told up into the late 60's. I left Western to join the Navy in 1956, never got back to Jack and Charlies until sometime in the 90's. It still runs as a Pizza place!!!!

Tommy Crist

I spent last evening reading and re-reading your Memories Page. It's amazing how many folks grew up in Silver Spring or nearby. My family moved to the Kensington area right after WWII. My Dad worked for The Washington Terminal Company (Railroad) and was working at Union Station in January 1953 when the runaway wreck took place. The Pennsylvania RR Federal Express sped out of control and headed straight for a dead end into the main concourse where the floor collapsed under the weight. The train was loaded with inauguration-bound passengers. He often spoke of the miracle that no one was killed or even injured. I also fondly remember People Drug Store and the marvelous Chicken Salad sandwiches. My Mother worked in the Peoples Drug Store offices on Florida Ave. N.E. They published a monthly magazine titled "Peoples People", and I'm enclosing a couple of photos from the July 1951 issue that shows (1) the "Fountain Girls" from Store 112 in their crisp uniform with apron, hair nets and nurse style hats. (2) Photos of the Thomas Circle branch shows the Pharmacy Dept. and the entire Fountain Crew with their marble top counter. Notice that the male Soda Clerk is wearing a bow tie. I'm not sure if the Webmaster can use the .jpgs since they are not professional pictures, if not I will not be offended. (DEB'S NOTE: ONE I JUST COULDN'T GET TO FIT!)

I also have fond memories of Uline Arena where we enjoyed the Barnum & Bailey Circus and seeing Gene Autry and Roy Rogers & Dale Evans. Pat

Gosh, for a while there, while reading all of the "memories", I drifted back to that 16 year old girl who attended Blair H.S. I graduated from Blair in 1954. Yes indeed, I remember the trolly to Glen Echo, all of the gorgeous Christmas windows in Hechts, Lansburgs, etc. Does anyone remember buying their shoes at the start of the new school year from Hahn's??? What else but penny loafers or saddle shoes! Oh, and do I ever remember (and can almost taste) the candies from Valati's? Never have had candy that yummy since! The beaches: North Beach, Beverly Beach, Deale Beach, Chesapeake Beach, etc., etc.......Takoma Park was home for me. Silver Springs was Gifford's Ice Cream, the B&O railway station, where I worked part time during my senior year at Blair, and soooooo many other memories! Our senior prom was where???? Can't remember the name of the hotel in D.C. Oh, and how about the milkman who came and left milk, buttermilk, cream, butter, or whatever other dairy product we wanted, in the "insulated" milk box!!! WOW, I really love this website and plan to check it frequently. Thanks for the memories!!

Nancy

I READ ALL PAGES AND COULDN'T FIND MENTION OF DIXIE PIG BAR B Q. I KNOW SOMEONE IN Ormond BEACH WHO HAS THE REC. ON HOW TO MAKE THE BAR B Q, BUT WE HAVE NO IDEA OF OBTAINING THE SQUARE BUNS. this web page will go into my address book for sure!

Charlie of N. W.

Please add Edouard V. Izac to your Congressional Medal of Honor winners.He was the only Naval officer to earn the medal in WWI. He lived for years at 2901 29th Street, across from the Swiss Legation, which then was the Papal Nuncio's house, which suited my grandfather well, since he was a staunch Catholic. I was born at Columbia Hospital for Women in 1942, and raised at 3001 Connecticut Avenue, across the street from the Zoo.The Zoo was my front yard. The area is essentially unchanged from then, the names of the businesses on northern Conn. Ave are different, but the look is ABSOLUTELY the same. I went to St. Thomas then St.Agnes, when my parents took advantage of the great VA loan programs which allowed the WW2 vets to get out and grab a piece of the American Dream, buying a house in Arlington on Upshur Street. Before they moved "way out" to Arlington, I was in the zoo daily, feeding peacocks, deer, etc.The Zoo personnel all knew me, and I would do their "rounds" with them. I would take a street car to Griffith Stadium to watch the woefull Senators lose yet another one, or listen to Arch "Mushmouth" McDonald misdescribe the game on radio. For Redskins games, my parents had 3 season tickets on the 45, in the temporary bleachers they set up in right field in front of that wonderfull towering right field fence.My biggest "deja vu" experience was several year ago walking into Rosecroft Raceway and getting the feeling I had been there before. I had never been there, but it turns out Rosecroft had purchased Griffith Stadium grandstand seats when they turned the Stadium into a parking lot for Howard University.Watching the trotters had the same ambience as watching Mickey Mantle or Luke Easter. I went to St. John's , the last graduating class from the old Vermont Avenue campus, long since turned over to the ladies of the evening who work nearby Thomas Circle. Morgan Wooten was my teacher and coach, Dematha hadn't been invented yet. But probably the best high school basketball ever was in place at John Carroll, one of the stars there being John Thompson. Back then, the city was much more racially tolerant, far more relevant to the area, and Beltway-less.No road rage, in spite of the infamous "mixing bowl" in Northern Virginia.. which wasn't even refered to as "northern Virginia" back then.. just the suburbs, with the National Pawnshop in Roslyn, which didn't have a building over three stories and was considered pretty much of a slum

I have read all of the memories and enjoy them all! I grew up in the Michigan Park section of NE DC during the 50's-60's. Does anyone remember when Queen Elizabeth went to the "Super Giant" in Queenstown during a visit. I stood on Michigan Ave. trying to get a glimps of her passing by.

I remember the Food Fair was the first store, in our neighborhood, to get air conditioning. What a change from the old metal fans in the hot humid summer. We looked forward to days at the beach, Mayo, Beverly Beach. My Mom talked about a boat that used to leave Wash. and arrive at Norfolk Va. for weekend trips.

My sister used to dance on the Milt Grant show. Oh how I wanted to but wasn't old enough. She was on the Wilson Line the night Elvis stared. There were so many people on the boat it never left the dock for Marshall Hall. The moon light cruises down the Potomac! That was a date!

I can remember getting caught playing hiding go seek in the catacombs of the Francisian Monastery. Oh boy, try and explain that to your mother. Also trying to ride Brother Morris's mule "Rosie", at the Priory School, South Dakota Ave. & Webster NE. Anyone remember Brother Morris? He raised chickens, turkeys and had a huge garden to feed the monks there. There was a hill in the rear of their property we called suicide hill for sleigh riding. What a ride.

I also share many memories of other readers. Of course Woodies windows at Christmas time, streetcar rides, the scissor grinder that came through alley ringing his bell along with the vegetable & fruit hucksters, Good Humor Ice Cream, the Frozen Custard Palace on Rhode Island Ave. Giffords Ice Cream, Pick Temple, Griffith Staduim, the beautiful movie theatres in downtown, The Palace, The Blue Mirror Grill, Rands (Big Al Downing played there), Easter Egg Rolls, back to school shopping Down Town, where we had to be dressed just to shop. Oh I could just go on and on but wanted to try and touch on things that others didn't mention. Washington holds such good memories for all of us.

Cheryl

I grew up in Chevy Chase in the 40s and 50s and remember knowing every store owner where we'd "trick or treat" each year just before dark. I also remember riding the trolley down to the Washington School of Ballet at Porter Street. Is it still at that location?

I was priviledged to be as a Girl Scout to be picked to "guard" the Christmas tree at the White House the last year of Truman's administration. Was so hoping it would be Eisenhower, but it was just before his inauguration.

All your reminiscing has sure brought back wonderful memories. Thanks to all!

Susan Meyers Finch

P.S. I particularly remember Wylie's but always thought there was too much whipped cream on their creation, on which I would get too filled up to do justice to the wonderful ice cream creations.

Hello, I sure am enjoying the letters and memories. I was born in Washington and lived most of the first 23 years of my life in Hyattsville and the Prince Georges area. My Dad was a bus & street car driver so I learned how to get around at a very early age. I remember the boat to Mt Vernon and Marshall Hall, Glen Echo and the beaches at the bay where we spent a couple of weeks every summer. I flew with Civil Air Patrol while in High School.

Met my husband at Quantico. He was a poor PFC from Georgia so we spent our dates walking around DC and he learned about DC winters. He loved the reflecting pool between the Monument and Lincoln Memorial. We only knew each other three months when he went to Korea and have only been back a couple of times. So many memories and so long ago. Thanks to everyone for helping me remember a little more.

Jeanne Young

In the late fifties I was in the WAVES and we used to live at Benny's Rebel room and listen to Phil Flowers sing and Rabbit on the drums. We had such a good time.

DC was exciting and you could walk around at ngiht and no one would bother you, not like now. After a hard day at work we could go to Benny's or the Parkside for some fun at a bar near the Greyhound and Trailways bust station. I was youn and so full of life.

I wonder if anyone remembers me like I remember them.

Connie

________

Just looked through one page of your memory book - it's wonderful. Thanks to Judy Singley for pointing it out.

My parents came to D.C. after WW-II and first lived in a brown stone house off of Washington Circle. My Dad took the bus to the old Army Map Service and heard of a house on MacArthur Blvd. owned by an old spinster. They rented the bottom floor and part of the top when I was born. The old spinster "adopted" me as her grandson since she had no family of her own.

When my folks decided to buy a home of their own, old Mrs. Lewis said they couldn't take me away and said if they wanted to buy a home, they could buy hers for $1. The agreement was to let her live out the rest of her natural life there. The deal was done. My Mother died in 1988 and my Dad decided to let the house go in 1996 so it would be too much for him to maintain. I had a recent set back when he sent me a picture taken just days ago. The property had been sold again and the new owner, a developer, figured that he could get two luxury homes on the double lot. The picture showed the aftermath after the house was torn down and the debris hauled away. I think part of me died with the house. It was the only home I knew growing up.

But the memories remain. I went to Key Elementary, Gordon Jr. High, and Western High School. We had the D-4 bus going down MacArthur and the #20 streetcar behind us on Sherrier Place. That streetcar ride was something I'll never forget. Remember the changeover station at the edge of Georgetown? The streetcar switched from the underground power to the overhead wires. Then you felt like you were on a rocket as the car sped along the right of way through the Palisades on the way to Glen Echo.

I saw reference to Halloween. That was a special treat in the neighborhood - there was no worry about evil people poisoning your treats. Popcorn balls, home made candy apples were common. The biggest treat came when you stopped at the Fox's house. They owned the market next to Child's Esso and were very generous. They gave out Dixie (ice cream) Cups. Of course you had to eat it right away before it melted so they would be a gaggle of kids sitting on the curb in front of the Fox's house. What wonderful memories.

It was great growing up in D.C. Whenever cousins came into town you became an instant tour guide. A D.C. transit token took you on the #20 right down Pennsylvania Avenue. IT used to cost a dime to ride the elevator up the Washington Monument but you could walk up for free. We would do that and beat those waiting in line for the elevator.

Christmas downtown was neat with all the animated windows decorated at Woodies. And they had a night set aside as Stag Night, where only men shoppers were allowed in to show for their ladies. The elevators had attendants. And the Sour Kraut hot dog at the mezzanine level restaurant was the best ever.

Other memories:

- Fletchers Boat House and the tunnel under the canal.

- the tow path to Great Falls

- watching the cars go to and from Glen Echo on Saturday night

- Glen Echo - I didn't ride the roller coaster until I was 15

- the Wilson Line trips

- Marshall Hall - that had to be the most rickety roller coaster ever

- the MacArthur Theatre and the glass enclosed room in the balcony

- Tex's Hardware - next to Fox's Market.

- Tex saying, "and a penny for the District" when he added on the tax

- Sledding at the little park on Macomb Street

- Battery Kimble Park

- the Palisades Field House - 4th of July and Easter egg hunts

- the Dogwood Festival at Gordon Jr. High

- the Patrol Parade

- As a teen, riding my bike down Wisconsin Avenue near Calvert Street. I'm sure I broke the land speed record.

- and many, many more.

I'm anxious to go back and look at more of your site. It's a wonderful thing.

John Beere, Western Class of 1963

johnbeere@hotmail.com

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