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RIVERVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MEMORY BOOK
Share Your Childhood Memories of Tulsa's Greatest School With Us!
We want to hear from you! Please email your memories to: raustin13@aol.com
Please put "Riverview Memory" in the subject box. Thank you!
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January 12, 2008:
Thank you for this site. I keep Miss Whitely's obituary next to my computer. There is rarely a day that I do not remember something about Riverview. Everything you needed to know in life, you received the first three years at Riverview. You learned to cooperate with other people in Kindergarten. You learned to read or you did it over again in the First grade as well as basic math in First and Second. We opened Miss Whitely's class with
"good morning Miss Whitely, boys and girls." We did the pledge of allegiance, said the Lords Prayer and learned the 23rd and 100th Psalm and no one was arrested! I remember we had class Presidents and officers. We learned to skip! I lived on the corner of 13th and Galveston and attended Riverview the second half of Kindergarten, First and part of Second grade before my nomadic parents uprooted me from the most wonderful place I ever lived or will ever live. This was 1953-55. I do not remember any of my teachers except Miss Whitely and Mrs Clinton. I went to Jr High on the West side UGH!! It is named after Mrs Clinton's Husband. He was Superintendent of schools at one time.
Remember the steel tunnels on the playground? They were great Forts. One of you wrote in, Charley Tooley. I was in a Christmas play with a Sharon Tooley. Miss Whitely gave out Oscars for good acting. I did not get one, Sharon did. My first venture into, if you want something, one has to work harder. God she was a great teacher!.
My Brother was in the 6th grade when I started Kindgergarten. We used to head out Saturday morning to the Orpheum for the serials and the prizes. 15 cents! I was born at Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital just down the street. I remember Ray Allen and his Dads shoe store. Rickey Breadwell, Timmy Regan and one guy I can't remember his name that was digging a tunnel in his backyard?? Carol Gold used to read in our tree in the front yard. She was older. Vivian Lynch's Dad Built Boats in his garage. Great wooden boats. I could go on and on. I am sorry for the space I have taken up but as stated earlier, that was the best of times. I have to go now.... the street lights just came on.
Peace.,
Jerry Sinard
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August 24, 2007:
Hi Roland... Just wanted to let you know how happy I am to see other former Riverview students finding the website. That's just great news. I read with some interest the last posting from Janet Smith (nee Sullivan), etc. and that was great and fun to read. She mentioned Christine Andrews.. I remember her very well. She was cute and chubby and had a nice face and very likable. I wanted to also mention a couple of other names, among many others that I knew, that others also may recall - Ralph and Beverly Sonen. They lived on the corner next to the playground at 12th and Guthrie. Their father was the pastor of the All-Souls Unitarian Church at the time and I was in their house several times. Last visit to Tulsa still had the house there, but it looked vacant. I liked the house because Mr. Sonen used to have about 20-30 clocks in the living and dining room that all went off at the same time. It was crazy listening to chimes, cookoo clocks and all sorts of bells and things going off in their house.
The Playground at Riverview seemed so large at the time and now looked small to me when I re-visited the remaining site. I remember there were a couple of steel/metal barrels on one end of the playground that everyone used to run and play around with the steel-bars and what we called the "Jungle-Gym". In Gym Class we had Friday's which was "Choice Day" and we could check out steel hoops and wooden stiltes to walk around on the playground as well as softballs and bats and kickballs.
Another nearby family at the time were the Ackley's. I believe the fathers' name was Kenneth Ackley and his wife was active in Cub and Brownie scouts. They had a son that my sister used to like and had a crush on, his name was Tom Bob Ackley.. (I think!!). Their house was very close to the school as well.
Hopefully others will contribute to the Memory Book and that will spur me and others to think of things to write about as well. One vague thing I recall was this inner part of the stucco section of Riverview where the music/library and art areas were located. Was the Art Teachers' name Mrs. Carson?? I seem to remember doing a Potato Block Printing with her that won some sort of prize. Remember when they would post our "wonderful" art pictures on the walls around the area of school?
I'm just waiting for more of the Riverview students to elicit more memories for us! - Charlie Tooley
[ Charlie: Yes, I am thrilled that others are finding this site. While most of the memories are from a different time than mine, they sound so similar and I remember the locales, thus, I get to relive their childhoods as well as mine! -- Roland ]
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August 19, 2007:
I am thrilled to find the Riverview site. My brother and I attended there in the early 50's. My name was Janet Sullivan and my brother, Mike.
I remember Miss Whiteley and Mrs. Nash so well. I remember the principal...Mr. Shupach? Not sure of that spelling.
I had Mrs. Clinton for first grade and Mrs. Kennedy for second...or maybe the other way around?
I remember the Co-operettes and their song.
"Co-operettes are we...loyal and true.
Co-operattes are we...always helping out at Riverview."
I so wanted to be one.
Former classmates I remember...Rex Downing (parents owned a pet store?)...Dennis Rogers...Tony Wilkins...Gretchen Yenzer...
I lived at 13th and Carthage and there was a grocery store on the corner there. It was a two story and they lived in the top floor. They were the Owens family. (Note form Roland: this may be the grocery store that Ben Callicoat wrote about earlier.)
I loved reading all the memories and now I am going to send the website to my brother who lives in Texas. I am still in Tulsa!
Thanks!
Jan Smith
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August 15, 2007:
Roland,
Unbelievable!!!!!! - someone actually has a Riverview School web site - Unbelievable!!!!
I found it by chance and have read all the entries and many of the experiences seem to be my own. I remember Miss Whitely, Miss Nash and Mr. Grigsby the Principle. I attended in '56, '57, & '58 (3rd, 4th, & 5th). I remember Benny Luper also because he beat-up my brother who was trying to protect me from Benny picking on me.
My best friend back then was George Sabos who lived directly across the street in the picture you've posted. What great memories. One winter we had a HUGE snowball fight with many boys from the area and alot of us took refuge in George's house and it just got trashed inside with snow and ice balls - boy was his mom upset.
I think my brother was sweet on Chistine Andrews - I believe he spoke with her just a couple of years ago and it seems to me she was involved in the Opera or Ballet in a big way - quite successful.
I also remember the Harley shop - we lived on Indian street 3 houses from 11th and could hear the motorcycles at night.
My brother used to sneek out at night and go down to the Rexall drugstore on the corner and buy Mad magazines. Those were some of the most memorable times of my child hood, I loved the neighborhood - now I love the memories.
My brother's name is Bruce Morrison and he still lives in Tulsa as well as my oldest brother Leroy Morrison.
I hope you recieve many more posts - I'll be checking back often.
Thanks,
(Paul) Vance Morrison
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January 19, 2007:
Roland -
I'm not from your neighborhood, but grew up in Brookside during the 1960's. (I attended Eliot Elementary from 1967 to 1975.) I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading about the Riverview neighborhood on your website.
You've inspired me to search for a similar site about Brookside and Eliot Elementary (and possibly create one, if one doesn't already exist.)
Although I really enjoy reading about your memories of growing up there, it leaves me with a tinge of melancholy over how much of Tulsa was lost during the 1960's and the urban renewal (so-called) efforts those days. I can't quite remember what Tulsa was like pre-Broken Arrow Expressway, and that's too bad.
I do remember a little grocery store just to the east of Denver, and a little north of what is now the QuikTrip at 15th. It looked more like a two-storey house that had an old-fashioned grocery store on the bottom floor. This would have been ca. 1967-1969. Do you remember that? (note from Roland: The grocery store you talk about sounds like Rainbow Grocery that was owned by the Fagalli family and was at 13th and Main Street. I lived a half block away, and I would "work" there after school (3rd & 4th Grade); I would dust off the can goods and stack pop bottles (remember those?) for a coke and a candy bar as wages. Mr Fagalli died of a heart attack in 1963 or 1964. The store was one of the last structures in that area to be torn down to make way for the expressway, and continued to be operated by Ron, the oldest Fagalli son, until it was closed around 1972. Ron later became a fire chief in Tulsa).
My father and my older three older siblings lived at 1601 S. Carson for a short while during the late 50's and into 1960 or so. In 1961, my father remarried (I was born in 1962) and he and my mother bought a home in Brookside, where I and my younger brother grew up. When my mother went back to work, my brother and I were watched by a lady who lived across the street from Roosevelt school and Owen park.
My dad worked downtown at the Beacon Building. Some of my earliest memories are driving downtown (via Riverside drive - pre-Riverparks) and Denver Avenue. I have a very specific memory of driving up Denver one time, with "Up, Up and Away in My Beautiful Balloon" playing on our Ford's AM radio.
Anyway, congrats - I hope you find more of your childhood friends and teachers.
Ben Callicoat
Tulsa
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January 7, 2007:
I don't have a memory, but enjoy reading the history of Tulsa. I discovered some pictures from the Beryl Ford collection that are posted through the library. Check out page 123 in particular. Here is the link:
http://www.berylfordcollection.com/
Click on browse the collection. You can limit the search by typing in Riverview, or navigate to page 123 of the collection. There are at least 3 pictures listed as Riverview Junior High.
Let me know what you think of these pictures. (note from Roland; I have visited this collection, and there are some neat photos of all areas of Tulsa... places where we played, watched movies, and got into some trouble)
Neil Kingsley
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December 28, 2006:
Hi, Roland...
Hello to all you fellow former Riverview students! My how times flies when I read over the past "Memory Book" writings and later a year ago, Roland, when we spoke and communicated. I'm glad to see a few more entries have been made in the establishment of memorabilia for the now demolished school building. But I guess the spirit of Riverview still rests with some of us as we age.
Predominately, the spirit of Riverview for those of us in the early years of the school, who still are alive, rest with Ms. Betty Nash and Miss Whitely. I was not aware that Mrs. Nash and Miss Whitely were friends before Riverview, as Ronnie Mead suggests, but I imagine that's a possibility since they appeared to be close during school hours.
I guess the main focus for me writing today is to set the record about Miss Whitely correct. The Tulsa World-Tribune Obituary states that Mary Louise Whitely passed away on December 14, 2003. There's not much else about her age, nor her family or where she died. (note from Roland: Charlie and I have been tossing around an idea of creating a memorial page for Ms. Whiteley, but we need much more material in the way of photos and memories) While we believe it's Holdenville, OK; we are not certain from this particular article. However, one thing I am certain of is that is says, "she taught school in Tulsa for many years and will be remembered by many." I'm here to say that the reason most of us are writing in your memory book, or the lucky ones who find your website, remember the wonderful things this woman left on the lives and hearts of so many young students. So, I guess in essence, this is her life epitaph to be remembered in so many wonderful ways. I said in another message that she embodied the spirit of Riverview and not to detract from so many other great teachers and others who where there, it was the fact that we ALL remember her to be this way.
Thanks for placing this on the Memory Book page.. and I will write more in a while; but hopefully, this may inspire others as well to write about their times at Riverview. By the way.. was there a Principal there by the name of Grigsby??? It seems like that was the head-guy while I was there....
I have been in contact with a woman who I used to live next-door to on Guthrie and she's going to write something and include some things on the Riverview website too! She has also some friends who will find out about the site; so looks like this may be enlarging a bit.
Happy New Year... - Charlie Tooley
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June 5, 2006:
Hi, My name is Ronnie Mead
and I have fond memories of Riverview, as you do. I attended in the 50's. I remember Mrs.Whitely, Mrs. Nash and Mrs. Kennedy, as well as others, and have very fond memories of each, like the flashlight at the Christmas pageants in the gym.
I spoke with Mrs. Nash in the late 60's and am sorry to say that Mrs. Whitely had either passed away or was nearing the end, at that time. [ note from Roland: in 1970 I saw Miss Whiteley and her mother at Southroads Mall in Tulsa and she looked well and was getting around fine. ]
You are right, Mrs. Whitely was a very attractive and articulate teacher. She and Mrs. Nash had been friends prior to them becoming teachers.
I spoke with Mrs. Nash again in the early 80's and am sorry to say, at that time she did not remember who I was or much about her teaching at Riverview. I suspect she had, what one might describe, as Alzheimer symptoms.
You are right about the neighborhood. There would be blocks made up of German ancestry, as well as blocks of Greek and other nationalities.
As I remember, there were no school buses, as I walked from 3rd and Boulder to school. I also remember "Hank's" hamburgers being .20 each or 5 for a $1. Do you remember the coney's at 4th and Cheyenne? My Dad and I ate there often!
Here are some of the names of kids I went to Riverview with. Although it was the mid-50"s, they all had younger brothers or sisters. Here goes:
Kent Lannom [ note from Roland: I was best friends with Kent's little brother, Tim ]
Johnny Issom
Rhonda Long
Christine Andrews
Mona Simmons
Grant Armstrong
Benny Luper
Do you remember how Miss Whitely loved Halloween? Her scary stories were GREAT! I believe Ms. Morgan was the science teacher at that time. Yes, I remember the comic book store (note from Roland: that was Ross M. Barnes Rare Coins & Books used bookstore at 902 S. Cheyenne) very well.
I lived at 3rd and Boulder, in the Mead Hotel. My bedroom was right above the Rialto Theater sign.
I still stop at the Coney Island each time I go through Tulsa, and they are still as good as they ever were.
I pretty much lost contact with all my friends, as I believe most of them went to Horace Mann after elementary, but because I lived at 3rd and Boulder, I went to Cleveland Junior High.
I really believe it would be very hard to find teachers more likable and caring that Mrs. Nash and Mrs. Whitely.
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January 9, 2006: Hi Roland!
Wow, what a blast from the past! This is Judy Roberts, and I just came across your website. I was so shocked to see my name there, but it's nice to know I'm remembered. I have to say that your name doesn't really ring any bells, but your face looks vaguely familiar. We moved a lot, and I wasn't there very long (I went to lots of schools), so please don't feel insulted; I've forgotten more people than I remember, lol. I do recognize some names on your list though - I remember Charles Rawlins and Steve Johnson. And I definitely remember Tim (I called him Timmy) Lannom, he gave my first kiss ever! There was also Randy West, who totally embarrassed but thrilled me too with a huge heart-shaped box of chocolates on Valentine's day when everyone else was just giving out paper valentines. And my best friend for the time I was there was Vicki Ferguson. That's it as far as people I remember, I'm sorry to say, and I don't remember any of the teachers.
We lived on Galveston, and the westbound lane of I-244 runs right over where our house used to be. We also lived on West 12th for a little while, but that street has been remade also, so there's nothing left that I can point to and say "I lived there". There was a girl I was friends with also who lived right across the street from the school to the east. For the life of me I can't remember her name, but I was awed whenever I went to her house. To me, they seemed "rich", but then we were very poor so they probably were just average, LOL.
There used to be a small mom and pop type store on Denver, right where the highway runs now. I can't remember the name of it [note from Roland: that was the Modern Food Market, 1124 S. Denver], but I remember going in there and buying big Red Chief tablets for school. And going to the delicatessen (which is a bar now I think) at the corner of 11th and Denver [that was Quay's Delicatessen, 307 W. 11th St] to pick up lunchmeat and bread. On a very rare occasion, my mom and her boyfriend would take me out to eat at Baker's Restaurant on 11th, and I always had chicken fried steak...it's still my favorite, next to pizza that is!
Some of us kids used to take our bikes down to the big old house that ran along Houston on one side and Riverside Drive on the other. That place took up a whole city block. We had no concept of private property, and we used to go down to the bottom of the hill where there was an old concrete pool that was empty. We'd ride our bikes around and around faster and faster until we were way up the sides, turned almost sideways. It was so exciting! One day the old lady who lived there came out as we came back up the hill to leave, and boy did she look mean. In a very stern voice, she informed us that we were on her private property and did we have any idea how serious trespassing was? Then she told us to come in the house. Let me tell you, we were shaking in our boots. But once we got inside, she had tea waiting...old fashioned high tea in a silver pot on a tray with china cups, sugar cubes, little finger sandwiches, cookies and the works. We had tea (although I'm sure we were very rude about it!) while she brightened up and told us she didn't mind us playing in her yard as long as we didn't destroy anything and came to visit her once in a while. Then she wanted to know how fast we thought we were going down there and was it scary? She actually turned out to be very nice, but lonely maybe, and I think she wished she could join us! Gosh, that brings back memories.
Maybe you remember how we used to go to the old two-story house on 12th Street, across from the Christy Lynn apartment building (my sister named her daughter that!), and run and jump on old couch cushions and slide down the driveway when it was frozen over...which was how I fell and broke my teeth. Wow, did that hurt. I can just remember jumping up and running home without saying anything to anyone, half-blinded by tears, blood streaming down my face. I felt so ugly and like a freak after that with my two front teeth broken so jagged...it took me years to get over it, and I never did get them fixed until I was 18. But of course that was just one of those things that happen to kids, I was always just too sensitive about things like that. Which brings up another subject...I'm attaching a picture of me from back then It's the last one taken before I broke my teeth. It's in pretty sad shape, stained and stuff, but it's the only one I have. I tried real hard to never have my picture taken with my teeth broken, lol (the next picture I kept of me is at 16 in a very mini dress in 1971!). Anyway, I hope you can use the picture on your site.
It's a shame none of our other classmates have found your site, but I only came across it by accident while trying to find info about an old gym routine we used to do using bamboo sticks. I was going through the names of all the schools I had been to, hoping to find something on it, and there you were! It's a small world after all, isn't it? Are you still in Tulsa? I looked in the phone book before writing this, but didn't see you listed. I've just been back here a few years, I lived in Denver for a while before that. I've been divorced for a long time, and my only son lives here, and now I live just two blocks from him and my daughter-in-law. They're trying to have a baby, so I may be "grandma" soon...yikes is that a scary thought! Where did all the years go? It was so wonderful to "talk" to you!
Judy Roberts
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January 9, 2006: Judy,
First, I am "heart-broken" that you do not remember me. No, it was one of those old stories where I was "in love'with you, but you liked somebody else (Timmy or Randy?). Anyway, I thought I had won your heart, as one day after school you came home with me and we played in my room and yard, then I walked you to your home on Galveston. This was in the third or fourth grade, and I lived a good 12 blocks or more from you; I remember the Harley-Davidson motorcycle shop in your area at 643 W. 11th St. You may or may not remember the boy that gave you a chess set for your birthday (LOL!!). If you do, that was me. I gave up my cinnamon rolls for two whole weeks to save $1.00 for your birthday present. I was at a loss for what to get you. Since I was into playing board games (and I had just learned to play chess), I went downtown to Kress' and bought you a chess set, then walked to your house to give it to you. I remember when I gave it to you, you looked at it, then you gave it to your big sister. I felt so stupid. What in the world was I thinking???!!! ~~ A chess set??? ~~ No wonder I didn't have a chance with you! ha ha ha Now, I understand why you blocked my memory out of your mind!! (I can't stop laughing...)
I remember going to Barney's Hub drive-in on 11th Street and Boulder. I remember all the neon lights at night, erating their burgers, fries, and root beer. I remember the big house you are talking about, too. We used to roll down the big hill, but we would run like crazy when she came out. I have more stories to add to this page later.
Roland Austin
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January 10, 2006: Roland,
I do, I do, I do remember you! I knew your face looked familiar, and I remember going to your house. I had a really good time, and I did like you. And...now don't have a heart attack...I remember all the way home thinking maybe you'd hold my hand, but I couldn't make the first move...I was the girl! I am SO sorry about the chess set, and especially about you giving up your cinnamon rolls just for me! Wow, now that's true love! (giggling) I don't know why we didn't spend more time together, maybe you just weren't as pushy as the other boys, LOL. I always did pick the wrong ones, and believe me have I paid for it. I really am sorry for hurting your feelings, it seems I did a lot of stupid things like that growing up. Forgive me?
It's funny that I ran across your website right now. I've been trying to find old friends from high school and my early twenties for the past several months (never dreamed anyone from grade school would remember me!).
You know, I am so glad you remember that Harley shop. I've tried to talk to people about it since then, including my sister and brother-in-law, who also grew up around there, and they swear it didn't exist. I realize I have memory problems, but I was beginning to think I was losing my mind, LOL.
I haven't seen or talked to any of the kids from Riverview in years and years. I did run into Tim Lannom and his wife (forget her name, Kathy something - oops! - she went to Riverview too though) back in the early 1980s. They bought one of the old mansions [the Brady Mansion -- I heard he lives upstairs, and rents the downstairs for weddings, receptions, etc.] over on North Denver and were renovating it. There was even an article in the paper about it at the time. Other than that, I've never seen or talked to any of them. a. Well, again, it was so good to talk to you, I'm so glad I found your site. I do medical transcription and work here at home (that's the mt behind my screen name) and sometimes it feels like I never get out of the house! When I'm not working on the computer, I'm usually on here playing or reading. And you know what? I never did learn to play chess! (No cracks about dumb blondes!) LOL :)
Judy Roberts
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October 3, 2005: Dear Roland: Thanks for the photo of my old school. I attended Riverview for many years, well before you got there. I attended in the early 1950's and wanted to share a few of the thoughts I had into the memory book. I'm well removed from Tulsa now and after my father passed, I rarely went back; but cherish the memories of walking from my home at 711 South Guthrie to Riverview. Lots of my friends lived close to the school and most of us in the "neighborhood" walked to and from school each day, as I do not recall any of the busses coming in that era.
I was hoping to see if anyone had any photos of the playground and the old brick building that I attended in some of my classes too. Riverview had no "yearbooks" in that timeframe, so reliance on memory, while good, needs an occasional jogging. Let's see..where shall I begin?
In the early 1950's the neighborhood was ethnic in many aspects. I recall several German kids attending Riverview as well as one very pretty Lithuanian girl by the name of Ruthie Grasmanis. Ruthie lived with her parents and grandmother and I called the house a few times and grandmother answered and called her gruffly, "Ruta". That was one of my first exposures to someone from another country.
It seems to me that one of the Kindergarten teachers was Miss Hattie Lashley. I had Mrs. Clinton (who I thought was older than Methuselah at the time) for first grade. I think Mrs. Kennedy taught second grade or third grade. Mrs. Scoggins, was my favorite 4th grade teacher and we had our room in the old red brick part of the school building and I liked that because we were separated from the younger kids. Mrs. Betty Nash and her beautiful red hair was there as well. She did work in the library and music areas and seemed to be close to Miss Mary Louise Whitely. I'm going to assume Miss Whitely never married and I'd love to know if she was still living. When Miss Whitely taught Speech class, we each got Blue/Red/Yellow ribbons for our efforts. I think the Speech room had a stage and curtain and I did pantomimes for her and earned a Blue Ribbon with the flourishing cursive writing she was so well-known for doing for her students. In the 1950's Miss Whitely was one of the prettiest teachers I had ever seen. Jet black hair in a bun pulled back and flowing long skirts with big petticoats and lots of red lipstick! She was absolutely a memorable part of Riverview for me.
It seems there were other teachers in Gym and other areas that I cannot recall, except for one..which was my second most favorite class... Science with Mrs. Arlene Morgan. Mrs. Morgan's Science room was so interesting. She had stuff birds, collections of eggs, shells, etc. on shelves and made science so meaningful. One time a week, we had old black & white 16mm films showing all sorts of insect life and the marvels of reproduction and hatching, etc. and having the lights out while the film was showing always made for interesting things to happen.
When I first arrived at Riverview, I thought the whole place was so BIG! Also, for the longest time.. I thought the whole place was controlled by a group of girls called the "Cooper-ettes". they had these wooden badges around their necks and patrolled the halls and sang a theme song; which I can even remember... wonder if anyone else does?
The playground was great. Sometimes I would bring my lunch to school instead of buying food in the cafeteria. That way I could gobble down my lunch and have a whole hour on the playground to play kickball! I remember having the cafeteria downstairs and we had "chili suppers" on Thursday Nights, I think at the school. The women who worked in the cafeteria were so great too.
I guess one of my all-time most favorite memories of Riverview happened during the annual Christmas Play. I wanted so much to be IN the play and be a "star". Instead I landed in the choir with a flashlight and robe! But wonderfully enough, when we practiced and marched in procession, I got to be the first one down the aisle because this blind girl, by the name of Patricia Wait, who attended "sightsaving" class at Riverview was also with me going down the aisle and I got to guide her! Pat had a brother by the name of Mike, who later lost his life in a motorcycle accident; which I was in high school. The Christmas Pageant was about Christ and Jesus' birth and we had Joseph and Mary and the baby Jesus and wise men and everything on stage. We also were able to sing "O' Come All Ye Faithful" coming down the aisle too. All of that changed, I'm certain before Riverview was torn down. (Ed. Note: Tulsa had some really great landmark buildings that were torn down and a part of it's past was lost when that occurred).
Growing up in Tulsa in the 1950's was great; almost ideal in our neighborhood. Riverview was a mix of wealth from some kids and some of average to below average income levels; but we didn't seem to care much about all those things back then. Later as I grew older, I stopped and enjoyed a 20-cent hamburger at "Hanks' Hamburger Stand", on the corner of 11th street and got to know Hank very well. Found out later my dad also knew "Hank" too and he monitored me because my dad flipped hamburgers before WWII with Hank!... small world sometimes! I loved going up to the Crown Drugstore at 11th and Denver and having a soda there at the fountain. Next door was the wonderful delicatessen which had all sorts of foods and stuff I never had eaten before or at home!
Summers always seemed long in Tulsa in the 50's. Our house had no air conditioning and we had fans. Our house was on an alley and we had a lot of older widow ladies who still ordered ice from the ice men who delivered ice with large tongs and rubber mats on their backs to carry the blocks of ice. Our Ice-box was actually a old refrigerator with the motor on top and had iron legs and sat on the "back porch" of our house and not inside the kitchen!
Ice cream men on large motorcycles plied on 11th street during the afternoon and evening hours; along with the ever-faithful "tamale-man" on his bicycle. It seemed that walking 11th street at night was always hot and buggy with all the new neon lights up and down the street. Wow, when they built the Safeway store across from the Crown Drugstore, I thought the place was so incredible because I was all air-conditioned. I used to walk to a little grocery store to get candy and bread at times before the Safeway down on Galveston Ave. where an old man with candy counter and I made friends. Soda pop came in glass bottles and you carried them in a metal basket container. he sold penny candy and Tootsie Roll Pops were 2-cents! The milk man came every two or three days at our house and drive down the alley and stopped by to pick up empty bottles and put milk in our ice-box on the porch.
I could go on and on... but life entwined with school days at Riverview are imprinted upon my mind. Thanks for sharing this photo of Riverview with the world. I would like to think others may have more..I'll look through my collection and see what I can locate.
Thanks for the Memories! Best regards, - Charlie Tooley, Cincinnati, OH