Here's a couple of more photos that Don picked up at a garage sale. As with the others I've posted, absolutely nothing is known about them beyond what can be determined...or guesstimated...by analyzing the pics themselves.
In my last post, I mentioned that you could see a grocery display and the A&P name across the street from the Dodge Brothers automobile that was parked at the curb with four kids standing by it. Here's a very grainy, pixelated cropped enlargement that there was, indeed, an A&P grocery in the photograph. Now for the interesting question: Where was it located? It almost certainly had to be in downtown Ft. Worth...or did it. If anyone can offer enlightenment, it would be greatly appreciated. Right now all we have is mysteries on top of mysteries. And I'm about to add another one.
Take a look at this shot...and then check out the one from the last post. The one with four kids standing beside a Dodge Brothers car. This car has the same winged radiator cap as the other, along with an identical external sunshade. That in itself doesn't prove a lot, though it certainly suggests that they're one and the same. And the 1928 Texas license plate definitely places both vehicles in the late 1927, early 1928 time period. Whatever year it is, the full foliage on the tree puts the photo somewhere between April and October, most likely 1928.But the thing that really gets your attention and tends to tie the two photos together is the boy leaning against the car. If you look closely at the two shots, the shoes are identical as are the socks (although the socks on the boy in this shot aren't pulled up as neatly). Moving upward, the shorts are the same but more interestingly is the belt. Not only does it look like the same belt, but the buckle hangs down in a similar way on both boys.
Both wear a long-sleeved white shirt with the left sleeve unbuttoned and hanging in an identical manner. Facial shape is identical and the hair is disheveled though not identical in appearance.
Finally, both boys are standing in almost exactly the same pose. The only difference is that one is standing on a sidewalk while the other gets to use the car for support.
Do the two photos show the same boy? Can't tell you for sure unless someone can identify him. But the odds are at least 9 in 10 that it is. But that leaves us with many questions as far as this photo is concerned: Who is he? Where was the photo taken? What time of year? As far as that goes, what year? It would also be helpful to positively identify the make and model of the car.
Start dealing with historical photos that have no identification on them and the questions mount up in a hurry. And if you think we're done with photos and questions, guess again. There are still more photos that Don sent my way, along with my own memories and photos. Believe me, the questions will continue. Maybe, with luck, I'll also have some answers to share with you.
In the meantime, if any of you have memories, photos, advertisements or any other kind of memorabilia that is part of Ft. Worth history, I'm appreciate it if you would email me at tennexican@mindspring.com I'll be happy to copy anything you have and share it with readers of this blog. And, of course, appropriate will always be given.
2 comments:
Just found your website via FortWorthology. What a great blog, thank you for the memories.
I'm only 46 but have vivid memories of going to Leonards and the Red Goose shoe store. There was a legless man downtown who sold pencils on a corner. And I'm pretty sure the segregated water fountains were still there - and that must have been 1969 or so for me to still remember those.
I'm curious to know if you remember going into Montgomery Wards and actually seeing the cages where little monkeys were kept? (hence the name Monkey Wards)? I really wanted one as a kid, luckily my parents said no.
I really enjoyed your entry about the Rocket nightclub. I know the building is still there - and at one time I could swear my parents told me the roof retracts and allowed for dancing UNDER the stars. Wow.
Anyway...great blog.
Appreciate your kind comments. I definitely remember Leonards, the Red Goose Shoe Store and the legless man who sold pencils on a street corner. The segregated water fountains were still in place in both Leonard's and Monnig's. Also segregated restrooms in Leonards.
Check out some of my previous posts to learn about them.
As for the Red Goose Shoe Store, my mother bought a lot of my shoes there in the late 1940s. And Leonard's had a Toyland at Christmas time that was complete with a monorail ride that took you through a tunnel containing Santa's workshop.
Don't remember the monkey cages at Montgomery Ward's. What part of the store were they in?
I never heard anything about the roof of the Rocket Club retracting. I'd tend to doubt that (unless someone can provide proof) for the simple reason that my parents would have mentioned it.
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