More on Chestnut Street Jr High School

It was Chestnut Street Jr High in the early 60s when I went to Chestnut. The newer building on the 23rd Street side housed  1-6 grades, that school was called Snipe's Elementary and the main and older 2 story structure which housed the gym and auditorium was Chestnut Jr High (grade 7-9). The building that was in the rear which was built about the time of Snipes was for shop, band, chorus and extra classrooms. The main building burnt in the 80s I believe and was completely rebuilt except for the outside walls from what we where told at the time. Makes me wonder where the asbestos came from that was used as one of the main reasons for destroying this historic site.

At this time there were 5 Jr Highs that competed with each other in sports, Chestnut (Bears), Tilston (Blue Devils), Lake Forest(Yellow Jackets), Sunset (Hornets) and Roland Grise (Black Knights). Later some weak kneed spineless administrator would drop the Black for fear of offending some poor weak minded soul. Because of this competition New Hanover always had some of the top teams and athletes in the state and many went on to the pro ranks. In those day colors only meant the school you attended not what gang you were in. Chestnut was Red and White, Tilston was Blue and white, Lake Forest was Green and Yellow, Sunset was Green and White and Roland Grise was Black and Gold.

Thing that are gone forever.

I wonder how many of these memories resonate with those who grew up in Wilmington, NC, during the 1950s. Many of these experiences likely occurred all over the country during that time.

At the top of my list is the Civil Defense siren. Every Saturday at noon, it would be tested, and you could hear it all over Wilmington. Later in life, I learned that the fire department was responsible for this task. In fact, during my early career as a firefighter, the department I worked for still had a siren similar to the old Civil Defense siren we tested each Saturday.

Then there was the smell that drifted over from the paper mill in Riegelwood when the wind was just right. It was a mix between a skunk and a rundown house—though not as bad as the odor from the chemical plant on Highway 421 these days.

On a much nicer note, I remember the sweet aroma from the candy counter at H.L. Green's 5 and 10 Cent Store downtown. They kept the maple nut candy warm, so if you were anywhere in that part of the store, you couldn’t help but stop and buy some. Although not as aromatic, the hot nuts they sold can’t be matched anywhere today.

Do you remember the sweet rolls served at school lunch?

There was also the sound of tugboat horns communicating with each other while working on the river.

How about that cloud of white smoke behind the county mosquito sprayer that all of us kids would run behind, trusting that our government would never harm us? Many of those same kids later encountered Agent Orange, still believing in the government’s promise to keep us safe.

Remember when water was free and didn’t come in a bottle? Soft drinks varied in price—5, 6, 8, or 10 cents, depending on how far back you can remember.

You could buy a small Coke with ice (5 cents), a pack of Tom’s peanuts (5 cents), and a Moon Pie (5 cents). Mix the peanuts into the drink, and you’d feel on top of the world for just 15 cents.

Then there was the candy called Boston Baked Beans—definitely not from Boston, not baked, and not really beans. So much for truth in advertising! They were delicious, though. And why did the government change the name of picnic ham to picnic shoulder?

I can still taste those S&H Green Stamps. I bet I licked millions of them and placed them in books for my mom to redeem for something. Sometimes, I even got something good, so it wasn’t too bad. Does anyone remember Palm Motor Oil selling for 25 cents a quart? Gulf, Quaker State, and other major brands went for 65 or 70 cents a quart. Palm was re-manufactured before that became popular. I used to get it at Miss Daisy’s store after we moved to Masonboro Sound.

I guess I should say a little about Miss Daisy, and I will share more about her later.

At the top of my list the Civil Defense siren. Every Saturday at 12 noon it would be tested and you could hear it all over Wilmington. Later in life I would discover that was one of many jobs the fire department was responsible for. In fact in my early career as a fireman on of the department I worked for still had a siren like the old CD siren we tested each Saturday at noon.

Then there was that smell that drifted over from the paper mill in Riegelwood if the wind was just right. Sort of a cross between a skunk and an over turned out house. Not near as bad as the smell we get from the chemical plant on highway 421 these days.

But there was another smell that was much better and that was the candy counter at H L Greens 5 and 10 Cents Store downtown. They kept the maple nut candy hot so that if you were anywhere in that part of the store you had to stop and buy some. Even though they didn't smell near as good the hot nuts they sold can't be matched anywhere today.

Remember the sweet roll at school lunch?

There was the sound of the tug boat horns talking to each other while working on the river.

What about that cloud of white smoke behind the county mosquito sprayer that all of us kids would run behind. Trusting that our government would never hurt us. Many of these same kids got a dose of Agent Orange years later still trusting the government to keep us safe.

Remember when water was free and didn't come in a bottle and soft drinks were all the same price? 5, 6, 8 or 10 cents depending how far back you can remember.

Buy a small Coke with shivers of ice in it (5 cents) pack of Tom's peanuts (5 cents) and a Moon Pie (5 cents). Then put the peanuts in the drink and you were on top of the world for only 15 cents.

Then there was and is the candy called Boston Baked Beans. Not from Boston, not baked, and not beans. So much for truth in advertising. They sure are good though. Then why did the government change the name of picnic ham to picnic shoulder?

I can still taste those S&H Green Stamps, bet I licked a million and put them in books so Mama could cash them in for something. Sometime I got something so it wasn't to bad. Anyone remember Palm Motor Oil at 25 cents a quart. Gulf, Quaker State and other major brand were 65 and 70 cents a quart. Palm was re-manufactured before such things were popular. Used to get it a Miss Daisy's Store after we moved to Masonboro Sound. 

Guess I should say a little about Miss Daisy and I will a little later.

Weather and other stuff

More proof that it isn't getting any warmer. This picture was taken 10 January 2011, except for the some missing trees it could have been shot in the 50's. I remember many a cold January and many a warm one also. Our area seems to run in 10 year cycles. The only white Christmas I remember her in Wilmington was in 1989. This road is in the middle of town now but back in the 50s it was the edge of Wilmington. new compared to me.It was completed in the late 1970s. Many times us kids would catch rides on the train that ran near by Mercer Avenue where I lived. The frieght trains ran through the city from the rail class yard on the northside around the edge of town and then to the State Port on the southside of town close to where this picture was taken. It was easy for us kids to catch a slow moving train and ride a short distance to another part of town. Tom Sawyer had his Mississippi and I had my Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. You did have to be careful not to catch it out past Kerr Avenue or you might wind up in Jacksonville, NC 50 miles north. Glad to say that never happened, but it sure would have made a good story.