in North Western Pa.
Just a few short miles
from the New York State Border
Situated in what are called
THE ENCHANTED MOUNTAINS
of The Alleghany Mountain Chain
Rolling green hills now -once as large as the Rockies
millions and millions of yearsago
now considered as just “Foothills”
or early 1900’s
The small community is well
a place where every one knew your name
you parents and exactly where you lived!
from the border of NYS
sits a junction known locally
as The Kendall Bridge
The Alleghany river runs beneath it
as does the Rail road tracks and trains
A span comes off it
and a road runs under it.
looking Northward
to the foothills of the mountains
and New York State
The age to drink was 21 in Pa.
But 18 in NYS!
Traveled this road many times
to legally have a beer! LOL
And believe me – the adults knew!
Eldred Pa.
and one of the reasons
we moved South
SNOW !!!!!
The post office to the left – the old red fire hall
to the right as I grew up.
And the building up farther in brick
The doctors office & the dental office
and also the Masonic Lodge!
I spent a lot of time there
Dental and Doctor!
of incoming funds
The Historic World War ll Museum
A full size tank bursting through the wall
a Museum that also encompasses the next large building
Tour buses stop every day!
It is a quality sight to behold!
This little town had many WWll heros
Purple hearts -medal of honors
And I knew everyone of them!
my stomping ground
when we slept outside
after curfew at 10 PM.
Running and hiding
raiding gardens
Just growing up!
tackle football
and flag football
Softball
And everyday rode my bike to!
where in my 20’s
we all chipped in and helped to get it started
and mowed and tuned into a softball field!
Playing our home games here
and holding many tournaments
as a small child
confirmed in
on King street
My older sister Donna on the right and my cousin Patty
Donna helped raise me
as she was 15 years older
and lived right down the street
and later on next door!
Bobby Goodman’s house
spent many a night there
on the porch sleeping out
and he at mine
we did not want to sleep inside!
My sister Donna -caught us one night
we had gotten into my parents whiskey!
And she came outside and there we sat on the curb in front
of her house and mine.
After so many questions
I had her almost convinced we were not drinking
Bobby not saying a word!
A car came down the street and we were in its headlights
And that is when Bobby got sick
and threw up in front of her!
Later she laughed and laughed
and always reminded me we did not fool her!
My brother in law Bill – was the police chief
and always took care of me and my friends
as long as we did not get into trouble or do anything bad.
Eldred had a top notch
soft ball team
made up of many who came back
from the war.
My best friend Bobby’s father
is at the bottom right
I knew almost all these men
later in life!
They almost were all my fathers friends!
when we were 16
and took many a trip
to Pro games
here we took a three day canoe trip down the river
which when I was in my mid 30’s
I – along with our pastor
took a youth group down the same river
Bobby – far left and then me
we would ride our sleds
down the hill
between and around
the tombstones!
where I graduated in 1967
Known then as it is today
OTTO – ELDRED H.S.
Home of the TERROR’S
Bobby is number 83
and I sit to his left
number 65
Those were the best of years.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!
My Site
livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
ELDRED PA.
Love this Tommy. You are the Bomb. Keep up the good work.
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I enjoyed this. Memories! The WWII museum and the pavement on Duffy Town road are new to me. The Ron Houben ball field used to be the carnival grounds during old home week. I just hope I can find this again.
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Ken – first thank you for commenting and thank you for reading my blog. You actually can follow me – I blog every day and a lot has to do with my childhood and growing up in Eldred. You can simply at the end of the blog hit the like button – and join – Free – and each and every time I blog – an email comes to you! I have now 225 followers – most I do not know and from all over the World. I bet you have memories that you can share with me – I would be happy to read and then who knows a memory will come and I can blog on it! And yes – I remember the carnivals at the ballpark – I also remember the day Gabby Hayes came for Jody Wolcott day! Gabe was I think Hop along Cassidy’s sidekick? You might also remember my family – Donna Fitzsimmons ( Luce) Bill Luce and Roger Fitzsimmons. I remember a Ramond Van Gorder who lived with Windsors and a Kenny Van Gorder who worked at the Western Auto, My father was part owner of the Western Auto -he also was a supervisor for the South Penn, his name was Clarence ( Bob ) Fitzsimmons and my mother was Mary. My aunts and uncles were Aikens and Aarons. My stepfather after my father passed was John Soules and he was a War World II hero and decorated. Ken thank you stay in touch.Tom
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