Harvard Park

it is a dump!

I grew up at 1429 W. 58th St. It was quiet, there were lots of jobs (1948-50s), Firestone, Freuhof Truck, very diverse neighborhood. English lady to the east, Swedish couple to the west, Mexican/Italian family across the street (my best friend Ann), Chinese/American family next to them. Even a divorced lady ( oh, the neighbors were shocked). Two avocado trees, a fig tree, palms, acacia tree, lots of iris. Went to Western Ave. Elementary School, but it doesn't look like it's there anymore. Would listen to the train at night, sounding so lonely. Lovely memories...........

I grew up at 1126 west 56th street. It was a good place to grow up.

I could walk or ride my bicycle to exposition Park or Harvard playground where I learned to swim and many other athletic activities.

I could get on a streetcar and go to the end of the line in Athens with by BB gun (Red Ryder Daisy) and hike through the vacant hills.

Or I could go to Pepperdine College in the summer and play football on their big athletic field that extended to Normandie.

Vermont Avenue had everything. A Sears, lesbian club, a world famous country and western club, Buick dealer, Chevrolet dealer and churches galore. Not to mention pool halls and bowling alleys.

It was great.

Not to mention a couple of riots.

My family lived at 59th St and Harvard when I was born. We lived there until 1944. My mother's sister lived there until 1962. For years after we moved to Inglewood my parents spoke of the wonderful neighbors we had in Harvard Park. My father built the house in which we lived. It is still occupied by a lovely family that has allowed us to see the interior. When I can, I still drive by our former home and fondly recall stories of our friends there.