Long ago on independence square (Raytown, Lexington: race, farmer, largest)

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by z0650

Mom was a teacher at Bryant, she still lives in Indep. I haven't lived there since '82. Thanks for the welcome.

I am a proud student from Bryant (the old building), but I'm sure I didn't have your mom. All three of my years there were under the same teacher, Miss Georgia Kimsey. She was the classic schoolmarm, and a marvelous teacher. I'm sure your mother was also, she just wasn't lucky enough to teach me!

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

We used to run down to the Campus during gym class while I was going to WCJHS. There were a number of old houses along Pendleton which have since been torn down.

Which book are you speaking of? Is it "The Truman Neighborhood- From Elegant Mansions To The Neck"? I have it, and it's a good reference book.

I'll have to check that book out on Amazon. I love reference stuff on Independence, KC et al. I'm just waiting for the first major publication on Raytown, Mo lol

My book is part of the Images of America series appropriately called "Independence" BE SURE to get the one with the iconic smilin' KATZ Drug Store on the front. There is another Independence in either KY or Indiana that I mistakenly ordered thinking it was a second book. Not a very thick book, about 20 bucks on Amazon, but has some great photos and descriptions underneath.

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by z0650

Mom was a teacher at Bryant, she still lives in Indep. I haven't lived there since '82. Thanks for the welcome.

Welcome indeed. Always curious how a new poster finds us here. For me, I Googled "Natatorium" and found these great friends. My parents had a business at 24/River and grandparents lived at River/Maple, so Bryant School was a very familiar landmark. Plus my buddies in the neighborhood all went there.

[SilverDoc]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

We used to run down to the Campus during gym class while I was going to WCJHS. There were a number of old houses along Pendleton which have since been torn down.

Which book are you speaking of? Is it "The Truman Neighborhood- From Elegant Mansions To The Neck"? I have it, and it's a good reference book.

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

I'll have to check that book out on Amazon. I love reference stuff on Independence, KC et al. I'm just waiting for the first major publication on Raytown, Mo lol

My book is part of the Images of America series appropriately called "Independence" BE SURE to get the one with the iconic smilin' KATZ Drug Store on the front. There is another Independence in either KY or Indiana that I mistakenly ordered thinking it was a second book. Not a very thick book, about 20 bucks on Amazon, but has some great photos and descriptions underneath.

Yep! Got that one too. I think I paid $5 or so. It was used, but in like new condition. You might try abebooks.com as they list books in a range of prices from various sellers. If you don't mind used, that's the way to go in my opinion. I just do a search for the book I'm looking for, and don't stop until I find the lowest price. I'm such a cheap skate! I'm sure you've noticed that sometimes Amazon will list several sellers for the same book. I also have two books by Pearl Wilcox: "Independence and 20th Century Pioneers" and "Jackson County Pioneers". Neither one has photos per se, but have a boat load of info. Plus, I waiting on another book I ordered that's also from the "Images of America" series, "Sugar Creek".

[z0650]

I have to ask her if she knew Ms. Kimsey. She taught there from like maybe 63 to maybe 70 and then went to the Admin building off 23rd. I graduated WCHS in '71, worked at Milgrams at Chrisman Plaza till I started college. Had a lot of fun in Indep., we moved there in '58 lived on college, about a block south of 24, just west of Noland. Then moved out a little further east off of Kiger north of 24. Went to Ott, then to Randall out in Sesquehanna, then back to WCJHS, then WCHS. George Greene was the principal then.

[z0650]

I don't remember the coach's name but he was a very athletic man and would have had no problem outrunning all of us. I remember the track too, and the spiral staircase going down to the locker room. As I recall Rick Guyton was the biology teacher and was a popular with all the little girls. I do remember being marched out onto the sidewalk and waving at LBJ, he had come to town to visit Harry Truman. All that time I never saw Harry but saw Bess quite a bit, she shopped at our Milgrams.

Her green Chrysler would pull up in front of the store, I think his name was Mike Westwood, her bodyguard, would escort her in, two very bored SS men were in a Mercury behind the Chrysler, usually reading the paper while they waited. Leo Young was the store manager and he would call somebody up front, sometimes me, and we would open a checkstand so Bess didn't have to stand in line. Leo and Mike would visit while Bess bought her little dab of groceries. She looked pretty much like every other little old lady to this 17 year old kid.

[z0650]

For some reason, if the coach was in a bad mood or mad at someone we would run the entire PE hour. THAT was a drag. Especially trying to pass someone on that little track.

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by z0650

I don't remember the coach's name but he was a very athletic man and would have had no problem outrunning all of us. I remember the track too, and the spiral staircase going down to the locker room. As I recall Rick Guyton was the biology teacher and was a popular with all the little girls. I do remember being marched out onto the sidewalk and waving at LBJ, he had come to town to visit Harry Truman. All that time I never saw Harry but saw Bess quite a bit, she shopped at our Milgrams.

Her green Chrysler would pull up in front of the store, I think his name was Mike Westwood, her bodyguard, would escort her in, two very bored SS men were in a Mercury behind the Chrysler, usually reading the paper while they waited. Leo Young was the store manager and he would call somebody up front, sometimes me, and we would open a checkstand so Bess didn't have to stand in line. Leo and Mike would visit while Bess bought her little dab of groceries. She looked pretty much like every other little old lady to this 17 year old kid.

I've mentioned this before, but before JFK Assassination, former Presidents did not receive SS protection. Many times we would see Harry parked out in front of our store while Bess shopped in the Crown Drug Store at 24/River. Even though that was a no parking zone, lol. People would walk by, realize it was Truman in the driver's seat and knock on the window, waving like little kids. HST would tip the hat and be done with them. I'm sure Mom told me Bess came into the store sometimes. Crown had its comic books to the right of the front doors, so I'd go "read comics" while one eye watched the checkout stands. When Bess was ready to leave I'd scurry to the door to open it for her. Of course always a smile and a "thank you" while I beamed with pride at my little scheme to get recognition by a President's wife.

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

Yep! Got that one too. I think I paid $5 or so. It was used, but in like new condition. You might try abebooks.com as they list books in a range of prices from various sellers. If you don't mind used, that's the way to go in my opinion. I just do a search for the book I'm looking for, and don't stop until I find the lowest price. I'm such a cheap skate! I'm sure you've noticed that sometimes Amazon will list several sellers for the same book. I also have two books by Pearl Wilcox: "Independence and 20th Century Pioneers" and "Jackson County Pioneers". Neither one has photos per se, but have a boat load of info. Plus, I waiting on another book I ordered that's also from the "Images of America" series, "Sugar Creek".

Damn, then I was premature in laughing at the thought of a "Raytown Images" I did go to the publisher website just to be sure, and wow, does it have a bunch of interesting books. Be they images of Missouri, Texas, Route 66 (an interest of mine) and so forth. Books are a little pricey at $20+ but I'll order some in due time.

I think I have seen a picture of crowded SC Pool that likely came from that edition.

[SilverDoc]

Originally Posted by z0650

I don't remember the coach's name but he was a very athletic man and would have had no problem outrunning all of us. I remember the track too, and the spiral staircase going down to the locker room. As I recall Rick Guyton was the biology teacher and was a popular with all the little girls. I do remember being marched out onto the sidewalk and waving at LBJ, he had come to town to visit Harry Truman. All that time I never saw Harry but saw Bess quite a bit, she shopped at our Milgrams.

Her green Chrysler would pull up in front of the store, I think his name was Mike Westwood, her bodyguard, would escort her in, two very bored SS men were in a Mercury behind the Chrysler, usually reading the paper while they waited. Leo Young was the store manager and he would call somebody up front, sometimes me, and we would open a checkstand so Bess didn't have to stand in line. Leo and Mike would visit while Bess bought her little dab of groceries. She looked pretty much like every other little old lady to this 17 year old kid.

The coach sounds like Hurshman. He had the paddle wrapped with white tape w/ lips drawn on one side, and knew how to use it! I remember the times when the whole class would trot around the track, and the last guy had to sprint to the front of the line. That wasn't too pleasant for the ones that had come to class right after lunch!

I sure remember when LBJ went by the school, all I could see was the sun on his big nose and his hand waving to us.

When you worked at Milgrams, you worked for Lou Richards, right?