Going Back in Time

These are my grandparents in 1917, Romeo and Leonie Rozier.
Grandma Leonie died when my dad was only 6, so I never knew her.
Grandpa Romeo died in 1959 when I was just 5.


On the way home from our little anniversary celebration today, we took a trip down memory lane. Well my memory lane, anyway. Since we would be going right by this neighborhood on our drive home, we took a picture of the house my Grandpa Romeo use to live in.

I had to hurry and snap the picture while some people
in this neighborhood were watching.
Then I said, "Hurry Den, get me outta here."
I was worried that someone would think we were casing the house.
4734 El Monte Way


We decided to also go see my childhood home.
I lived here till I was 7.
Again, not the best picture because I took it in such fast motion.
4476 E. Madison


Does it look anything like it did back in 1957, below?
The world was sure gentler back then.
L to R: John, me, Mom, and Richard


Michael Cardoza use to live here, across the street from us, and we would walk to school together nearly a mile away! I loved his mom Joyce, but I use to feel SO sorry for her since she had 3 sons and no daughters. Little did I know...

Same house as above but it is 1959, not 2008
Here is Michael Cordoza and me on the first day of school (kindergarten) on his front porch.
(There's that haircut again.)

This day would not be complete without a picture of Mrs. King's house, also across the street from us. She died many years ago but I remember her well back in the 1950s. She was an older widow who lived alone and I use to go visit her. She would let me have a chocolate covered cherry she kept in a box in a drawer in her extra bedroom. For some reason I thought that was her late husband's room and I thought she was giving me very old chocolate. But I ate it anyway and loved it. For years I would give my oldest son chocolate covered cherries on Christmas morning in memory of Mrs. King.

If you look closely behind me (age 3) you can see Mrs. King's house in 1957.
Our trip would not be complete without finding the church on the corner of Grant and First. This is where we went every Sunday to church, and every Wednesday for Primary. It use to be The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
but was sold years ago to the Church of God.

I asked Den to drive around to the back of this church. There use to be a little play area here (above) complete with a slide and monkey bars...where we would play until Primary was ready to start inside the church. This is one of my very earliest memories. I was only about 3, and my Mom forgot to put underwear on me that day. She was Primary president and was probably just so busy. I remember feeling SO uncomfortable and afraid to even move in my little dress. I remember making sure not to go on the slide or monkey bars that day. It was a traumatic day for me. Must have been, for me to remember it all these years later.

Neighborhoods sure do change through the years.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a nice post, Jill. I love the picture of your grandparents. I really like that time period. It is nice that you were able to go by some of your old homes. I keep wanting to that whenever I am in Clovis but never do. Maybe this is good motivation for me to do it.
Anyway, thanks for all of your good ideas and for commenting on my blog. I really appreciate it.

grandmapeg said...

What great pictures! Isn't it fun to go back in time and think of the good old days! I love the pictures of you!
Peggy

Anonymous said...

Jill,
Thanks for this trip down memory lane. Everything is as I remember it except your mothers parents (Slinkard) lived on El Monte.
Thanks again for all your work.
Dad

Anonymous said...

This is amazing that all these places are still standing and being used. Amazing also that you have lived in this area for so many years. I think it's called "Having Roots." Very nice. Thanks. Susan

Lisa said...

Very cool trip down memory lane. I always tried to get my kids to drive me through "memory" lane, but they bawked. However, it is such a buge part of who we are today-it's no wonder it doesn't matter how old we are-we want to peek back in.

Grandma Honey said...

DAD...but that El Monte address was on Romeo's license...and I do remember going near the fair grounds to visit him...how can that be the Slinkard address??

The Gage Cage said...

Jill, I can't believe how vivid your childhood memories are. I have several snap shot memories but have blocked out a lot of my childhood. I remember very little about life before 2nd grade. I am amazed that your memories go back as far as age 3....poor thing with out panties. that's like the dream of being at school with no clothes...except it wasn't a dream.

Anonymous said...

Jill,
I'll have to check that out. That sure looks like the Slinkard's house tho.
Dad

Grandma Honey said...

KRISTA...I don't have that many clear memories of when I was really young but I do have that one when I was 3, and I have one when I was even 2...just one. I would love to sit down with you someday and hear more about your childhood, unless you would rather not. I can understand you blocking some of it out. I find you so interesting...where you have come, what you have done with your life. You have helped me to understand some of my relatives in the past and what they have gone through..I hope that sounds right. I have such respect and admiration for the family you have, and your excellent attitude. Your children will reap the benefits of that, as well as many people around you. I know I have.

Grandma Honey said...

Dad....Look at Romeo's license..it is under my post of Sept. 10th titled "I tagged myself". Dennis said the house we saw yesterday on El Monte was obviously redone so maybe that's what is confusing you?

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

Jill, you give street addresses on the photos, but what cities are the photos in? Have you always lived in Fresno? I love the picture of Romeo and Leonie, I have that one too. Cousin Kathy

Grandma Honey said...

KATHY...These houses are all in Fresno. Do you have any memories visiting Grandpa Romeo? Do you remember his wife Ida?

Grandma Honey said...

Also Kathy, do you remember our house on Madison? We have movie pictures of you running on that front lawn.

Anonymous said...

Jill,

Those pictures and memories are so precious! I've tried finding houses that mom and dad use to live in. I remember driving mom around when she had her alzheimers looking for a house on or near Palm she supposedly lived in. Does that sound familiar? I also love those old home movies with you and Cathy running around the front lawn.
Heidi

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

I don't remember your house on Madison. I'd love to see that home movie sometime. I only met Romeo & Ida once but it is not a clear memory. I'm taking my brother in-law to the Fresno Airport on Nov.10 at 10a.m. If you are free maybe we could meet for lunch. It's a Monday. I'd love to see you. Cousin Kathy

Amanda said...

Oh, what a fun post! I'm going to have to ask my mom for some old photos of houses I grew up in and take the boys around to compare how they look now!

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