You never know what serendipity can bring to your feet. I was working in the community garden on Sunday morning when these two gentlemen showed up. Apparently, they were former students of the old Emerson Junior High School and they were there to take a group picture with other former classmates.
Waldo Emerson Junior High School was located in the buildings of what is now the Ella Austin Community Center. The school was in operation from the early 1950's through late the 1960's when classes were moved to another middle school and Emerson Junior High was shut down. It was the neighborhood junior high school back before someone got the bright idea of calling them middle schools.
The gathering of former students that morning had all graduated from Emerson in the late 1950's to mid 1960's. The group graciously allowed me to intrude in their gathering. It was fun listening to their stories of how the neighborhood was back in the day. Most of them had moved away to other parts of the city but their affection for Emerson, each other and the old neighborhood was readily apparent. You just never know what stories you may stumble upon on a Sunday morning in Dignowity Hill.
2 comments:
Oh I wish I had known, would have been in that picture! I was at Emerson from 1954 to graduation, I guess in 1957 or 58. I then went to the brand new Highlands high school. My name was Dorothy Bulgerin. The first Black student joined us at Emerson during that time. I do not remember her name and it’s bothered me all these years. We became good friends. If anyone remembers her, please contact me. Hopefully she’s still alive and in the area. I’m 80 years old so our time is short!
Thank you for doing this blog.
I went there in the mid 60s I remember Mr Stanford with his paddle board. He reminded me of Morgan Freedom in the movie lean on me. He retired and Mr Mendoza took his place. I remember they had a super football team. Won some championships.
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