Has anyone seen the Toy TG&Y Truck for sale on craigslist?

TG&Y METAL TRUCK-VINTAGE (http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/atq/1529749775.html)

I wanted one of these when I was little

Chuck E.

The only manager I remember was Mr. Hair and a Mr. Ludwick(?).

Internal intercom system was Green line 1 and Green line 2.

Had to actually count out change. Today's clerks inability to make change if the machine can't do it is amazing.

After TG&Y, I went to work at Target on 44th and Western. Sporting goods and Automotive department. I liked Target better as a store.

Has anyone seen the Toy TG&Y Truck for sale on craigslist?

TG&Y METAL TRUCK-VINTAGE (http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/atq/1529749775.html)

I wanted one of these when I was little

Chuck E.

Good looking item. There you go 64

My son and I have a large collection of hotwheels, back in the summer I bought a collection of 500 hotwheels at an auction in Enid Ok, all have TG&Y stickers on them. They were priced anywhere from 29 to 59 cents.

Broke my ice scraper. Went around the corner to the Family Dollar (Humpty Dumpty building).....

"We don't carry such items!"
I expect that down here, none of the stores have them until after the first ice storm but I never had trouble finding them at AutoZone or O'Reilly's. I did buy one a couple of weeks ago down here, the Eddie Bauer store at the San Marcos outlet mall had a down ice scraper mitt (http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/product.jsp?ensembleId=33915) on sale for $10, or half off with another purchase so I picked one up for $5 with the vest my wife wanted.

I expect that down here, none of the stores have them until after the first ice storm but I never had trouble finding them at AutoZone or O'Reilly's. I did buy one a couple of weeks ago down here, the Eddie Bauer store at the San Marcos outlet mall had a down ice scraper mitt (http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/product.jsp?ensembleId=33915) on sale for $10, or half off with another purchase so I picked one up for $5 with the vest my wife wanted.
================================================== =============
San Marcos????that oughta last you about forty years...right????That is such a pretty part of Texas when you go a little more West.....

I think I have used the one I have (of course relocated from OKC) about 10 times in 6.5 years down here. We made it to OKC (from West Texas) on Sunday, so we missed the heavy stuff that had to be cleaned off.

Today (Jan.3rd first Sunday in January) would be the first day of Inventory for TG&Y in the "Old" days......Yellow Tickets here we come......

Today (Jan.3rd first Sunday in January) would be the first day of Inventory for TG&Y in the "Old" days......Yellow Tickets here we come......

Can you say "RGIS"?

Can you say "RGIS"?

================================================== ==================
Yeah, but in '62 through about '74 we used yellow slips and counted everything in those stores.....Even the tropical Fish.....Had some die before the Supervisors came through to check the Inventory so I ran down to the Bait Shoppe and bought a Bunch of Minnows to cover the deaths.....it worked....

================================================== ==================
Yeah, but in '62 through about '74 we used yellow slips and counted everything in those stores.....Even the tropical Fish.....Had some die before the Supervisors came through to check the Inventory so I ran down to the Bait Shoppe and bought a Bunch of Minnows to cover the deaths.....it worked....

That's one "coverage" method I'd never heard of. Haha.

Ate lunch yesterday with Larry who supervised the mailroom at the time T.G.&Y. sold. Had a great time, like no time had passed. Great guy!

That's one "coverage" method I'd never heard of. Haha.

Ate lunch yesterday with Larry who supervised the mailroom at the time T.G.&Y. sold. Had a great time, like no time had passed. Great guy!

Did you eat fish?:LolLolLol

Yeah, but in '62 through about '74 we used yellow slips and counted
everything in those stores... Even the tropical Fish... Had some die before the
Supervisors came through to check the Inventory so I ran down to the Bait
Shoppe and bought a Bunch of Minnows to cover the deaths... it worked...

Why don't I have a problem believing this. LOL! It's got the work of Gen64
all over it!

Did you eat fish?:LolLolLol

Nope - pork chops...

Nope - pork chops...

poke chops.......:tiphat:

This Ice and Snow reminds me of the "Wheel Call" put our by our Supervisor. We were to tell them how much of the De-Icer, Shovels, Ice Salt etc.....that way if we had too much we would HAVE to Transfer it to the larger stores......Yeah Right.....Sorry sir "I just sold out".....He knew I wasn't telling the truth but it wasn't my fault if those BIG GUYS didn't know how to order....Besides, you could "Barter" the big stores for things like Barbie Dolls and Fanner 50's etc.....They had to have the goods. Same way with tape during Christmas.....Funny how the BIG GUYS become your best friend when you are the only store in town with Golden T Tape and there was an ad coming on......

This Ice and Snow reminds me of the "Wheel Call" put out by our
Supervisor. We were to tell them how much of the De-Icer, Shovels, Ice
Salt etc... that way if we had too much we would HAVE to Transfer it to
the larger stores... Yeah Right... Sorry sir "I just sold out"... He knew I
asn't telling the truth but it wasn't my fault if those BIG GUYS didn't know
how to order....Besides, you could "Barter" the big stores for things like
Barbie Dolls and Fanner 50's etc... They had to have the goods. Same way
with tape during Christmas...

Funny how the BIG GUYS become your best friend when you are the only
store in town with Golden T Tape and there was an ad coming on...

That's rich! There's nothing like a chart to let you know what you had...
yesterday! LOL! If it weren't for your genius business since TG&Y would
have gone to the wayside before 1970.

I could probably map out the basic design of the Edmond TG&Y and where everything was...photo shop, sewing supplies, clothes the auto shop towards the back, and near the auto shop was my favorite, the record store! I probably still have a few LPs I bought there, still remember the first batch I bought with saved up allowance (Who's Next and Steve Miller Band)
I have very fond memories of the old Rainbow Records at 23rd and Classen in OKC but probably the favorites are the first few records I bought at TG&Y. There was a Humpty Dumpty next door, and Dennis Hixon's barbershop, Otasco, a flower and plant store and a pretty cool sporting goods store where I got my first real baseball glove.

I could probably map out the basic design of the Edmond TG&Y and where everything was...photo shop, sewing supplies, clothes the auto shop towards the back, and near the auto shop was my favorite, the record store! I probably still have a few LPs I bought there, still remember the first batch I bought with saved up allowance (Who's Next and Steve Miller Band)
I have very fond memories of the old Rainbow Records at 23rd and Classen in OKC but probably the favorites are the first few records I bought at TG&Y. There was a Humpty Dumpty next door, and Dennis Hixon's barbershop, Otasco, a flower and plant store and a pretty cool sporting goods store where I got my first real baseball glove.
================================================== ============
Do you remember where the "Original" TG&Y was in Edmond????

I noticed the old Burlington store has been setting empty for sometime. I am kind of wondering if this is because it is still in the split level TG&Y layout. It makes me wonder if that section of the building will be torn down.

================================================== ============
Do you remember where the "Original" TG&Y was in Edmond????

On the East side of Broadway, near where Weathers TV is now.

This was a time of the year that was "Disgusting" for TG&Y employees. The delivery guy would show up and here came the "colored" Easter Chicks....They would be Blue, Green, Yellow and Red....Then of course they would be continually pooping in the cage we would have hurriedly built and about the time we got them taken care of along came the Easter Bunnies....They would Stink and would "Bite" you real hard...... and some would accidentally bounce off the floor after the biting incident......Then, Saturday before Easter the chicks would have grown out of their color and they would be trying to "crow" and the bunnies had become docile (too many floor bouncing incidents) and who was going to take them home since Easter was over???????

This is my first post here and I was drawn in by this thread. I've enjoyed reading the posts and Generals64, I appreciate your wealth of knowledge. Thank You for sharing from your experiences!


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The only Wal-Mart in the central part of Oklahoma was in 1974 when Sam Walton (Wal-Mart) and Carl Meadors (Ben Franklin) bid on the store in Guthrie. I was working for Carl at the time and he just didn't want to take on that large a burden. Sam moved in and History began to be come the future. The only other store in oklahoma was in Claremore at the time....True Story.........

I grew up in Kingfisher. We had a TG&Y when I got there and Wal-Mart came in 1976.

Who would have thought that little town could literally and figuratively "give birth" to two of the largest retailers in my lifetime? (TG&Y was at the top when I was a kid...Wal-Mart was the upstart).

I personally heard Sam Walton express his attachment to the Kingfisher Wal-Mart and have a first hand account from my sister about Mr. Young telling her the Kingfisher TG&Y store held a "very special place" in his heart.

I don't know if these two men ever met or spoke to each other, but their respective chains have a definite connection in a little Oklahoma town.

This is my first post here and I was drawn in by this thread. I've enjoyed reading the posts and Generals64, I appreciate your wealth of knowledge. Thank You for sharing from your experiences!



I grew up in Kingfisher. We had a TG&Y when I got there and Wal-Mart came in 1976.

Who would have thought that little town could literally and figuratively "give birth" to two of the largest retailers in my lifetime? (TG&Y was at the top when I was a kid...Wal-Mart was the upstart).

I personally heard Sam Walton express his attachment to the Kingfisher Wal-Mart and have a first hand account from my sister about Mr. Young telling her the Kingfisher TG&Y store held a "very special place" in his heart.

I don't know if these two men ever met or spoke to each other, but their respective chains have a definite connection in a little Oklahoma town.

If 64 has no clue............

He'll make it up.........

If 64 has no clue............

He'll make it up......... he..he..

This is my first post here and I was drawn in by this thread. I've enjoyed reading the posts and Generals64, I appreciate your wealth of knowledge. Thank You for sharing from your experiences!



I grew up in Kingfisher. We had a TG&Y when I got there and Wal-Mart came in 1976.

Who would have thought that little town could literally and figuratively "give birth" to two of the largest retailers in my lifetime? (TG&Y was at the top when I was a kid...Wal-Mart was the upstart).

I personally heard Sam Walton express his attachment to the Kingfisher Wal-Mart and have a first hand account from my sister about Mr. Young telling her the Kingfisher TG&Y store held a "very special place" in his heart.

I don't know if these two men ever met or spoke to each other, but their respective chains have a definite connection in a little Oklahoma town.

================================================== ========Yes, they knew each other quite well...(per R.A. Young) but, they were bitter rivals and both very good at their professions....

he..he..

Hey, I thought you were on my side:....you of anyone knows I knew these guys....I'm Old remember.....Mr. young's book as well as Sam's book is intersting reading......You did your time with TG&Y.....About three months before Young passed away, he signed and gave me HIS copy o making a Merchant....See...

[QUOTE=Generals64;313788]Hey, I thought you were on my side:....you of anyone knows I knew these guys....I'm Old remember.....Mr. young's book as well as Sam's book is intersting reading......You did your time with TG&Y.....About three months before Young passed away, he signed and gave me HIS copy o making a Merchant....See...[/QUOTEI I am on your side 64.

Hey, I thought you were on my side:....you of anyone knows I knew these guys....I'm Old remember.....Mr. young's book as well as Sam's book is intersting reading......You did your time with TG&Y.....About three months before Young passed away, he signed and gave me HIS copy o making a Merchant....See...

See!

Told ya he would make it up.....

See!

Told ya he would make it up.....
I believe the word is "embellish" ______ LMAO Don't shoot me 64, just couldn't resist!!

TG&Y Reunion April 17. Check the FaceBook page for more info.

BTW - Gen64, I also have an autographed copy of The Making of a Merchant. Mr. Young, when he was in the office every day, told me he believed that the key to success in business was to always be in a job that was bigger than you were. He was a really great man and at the first reunion told how he felt responsible for the demise of TG&Y due to the fact that he went along with his original partners and sold to City Products.

TG&Y Reunion April 17. Check the FaceBook page for more info.

BTW - Gen64, I also have an autographed copy of The Making of a Merchant. Mr. Young, when he was in the office every day, told me he believed that the key to success in business was to always be in a job that was bigger than you were. He was a really great man and at the first reunion told how he felt responsible for the demise of TG&Y due to the fact that he went along with his original partners and sold to City Products.

================================================== =========
told me the same thing. I was supposed to have gotten the name plate from his last office but the landlord backed up and wouldn't let me have it.....Mr. Young died not too long after he gave up his office.....

TG&Y Reunion April 17. Check the FaceBook page for more info.

BTW - Gen64, I also have an autographed copy of The Making of a Merchant. Mr. Young, when he was in the office every day, told me he believed that the key to success in business was to always be in a job that was bigger than you were. He was a really great man and at the first reunion told how he felt responsible for the demise of TG&Y due to the fact that he went along with his original partners and sold to City Products.
That's unfortunately something that the modern corporate business leaders do not seem to possess, a sense of ownership and responsibility for those in their employ. Most are nothing more that corporate mercenaries out to get the most they can before heading onto the next mission. I completely understand why guys like David Green prefer to remain privately owned. If I were in that type of position going public or selling to a public corporation would be the last thing that I would consider unless I was wanting to get out of the company.

That's unfortunately something that the modern corporate business leaders
do not seem to possess, a sense of ownership and responsibility for those in
their employ.
And the same goes for employees. So many, if not most, have a 'you owe
me' attitude.

And the same goes for employees. So many, if not most, have a 'you owe
me' attitude.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------Hey, I know we joke around with each and I enjoy it as much as anyone...But, I was there when TG&Y went down. I was in the VP's office when the president of the company walked in and told us they sold the company and they intended to liquidate. Literally took my breath away. My life as a kid was to work for TG&Y and live happily ever after. Never complained about the 60 plus work week...and neither did the other true employees.
But, one day someone hired someone from outside the company and let the CEO retire (RealJimbo knows who and what I mean) that was a long time TG&Y employee and the walls began to "Fall"....No one cared anymore (except those with long time ties)....I'll give you a good example....The outsiders hired a buyer and gave her full Command over the Ready to Wear for the company.....She was the beginner of the demise.....When the Higher ups realized the problem, they ran her off.....Damage had been done....I managed the store at 63rd/N.W. Highway....Right after this woman had be let go.....about a month into trying to get the store on its feet again (which I did) I was in the back room and looked up and saw a bunch of cardboard wrapped and nailed up.....If you know me for real (and some of you do) the curiosity got the best of me and I crawled up to see what was there....and, this woman had used that store to "Hide" (only word to use) some of her mistakes......There were 500 Blue ladies Blazers....Retail value each $59.99 each ..... some how they were NEVER inventoried..... too many outside game players......I still dream of owning small Variety stores like most of us used to know. You got a smile and you were waited on. You had what the customer Needed and then you also had (at a good price) what the customer wanted.........We all talk about the "smell" of Fresh Popcorn, Salted Peanuts, and TG&Y as well as Sears & Roebuck:...........SOME DAY.....Thanks for holding my soapbox.....Generals64............True TG&Y GUY....

Seeing how the TG&Y Reunion and the OU Red-White game are both on the 17th, want to move the Southsiders meeting at Coit's to the 10th or 24th? Okay by me!

And the same goes for employees. So many, if not most, have a 'you owe
me' attitude.
True as well....

I think the change in how business has changed from being primarily an owner/operator based world, with mainly an owner who either came up through the company or built it on his own to the change of hiring the rock star CEO with the Harvard MBA pedigree to come in and run the company was a fundamental change in how both management and employees perceive each other, not for the better either. Guess I kind of miss some of the old style business leaders that I knew of in OKC and the way they seemed to run their businesses. It seemed most of their employees were pretty happy working for them.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------Hey, I know we joke around with each and I enjoy it as much as anyone...But, I was there when TG&Y went down. I was in the VP's office when the president of the company walked in and told us they sold the company and they intended to liquidate. Literally took my breath away. My life as a kid was to work for TG&Y and live happily ever after. Never complained about the 60 plus work week...and neither did the other true employees.
But, one day someone hired someone from outside the company and let the CEO retire (RealJimbo knows who and what I mean) that was a long time TG&Y employee and the walls began to "Fall"....No one cared anymore (except those with long time ties)....I'll give you a good example....The outsiders hired a buyer and gave her full Command over the Ready to Wear for the company.....She was the beginner of the demise.....When the Higher ups realized the problem, they ran her off.....Damage had been done....I managed the store at 63rd/N.W. Highway....Right after this woman had be let go.....about a month into trying to get the store on its feet again (which I did) I was in the back room and looked up and saw a bunch of cardboard wrapped and nailed up.....If you know me for real (and some of you do) the curiosity got the best of me and I crawled up to see what was there....and, this woman had used that store to "Hide" (only word to use) some of her mistakes......There were 500 Blue ladies Blazers....Retail value each $59.99 each ..... some how they were NEVER inventoried..... too many outside game players......I still dream of owning small Variety stores like most of us used to know. You got a smile and you were waited on. You had what the customer Needed and then you also had (at a good price) what the customer wanted.........We all talk about the "smell" of Fresh Popcorn, Salted Peanuts, and TG&Y as well as Sears & Roebuck:...........SOME DAY.....Thanks for holding my soapbox.....Generals64............True TG&Y GUY....

Oh yeah, I know who you are talking about. She came in like gang busters. Had a big build-up before she ever got there. She was the salvation of the chain. Treated everyone like she was Leona Helmsley. Ordered so much product that once the stream started arriving there was no shutting it off. It came in too fast to mark down quickly enough to receive the next shipment. You may think I'm kidding, but Gen64 can verify that. It was crazy. We filled a warehouse in Florida up with that stuff. It may still be there for all I know.

Oh yeah, I know who you are talking about. She came in like gang busters. Had a big build-up before she ever got there. She was the salvation of the chain. Treated everyone like she was Leona Helmsley. Ordered so much product that once the stream started arriving there was no shutting it off. It came in too fast to mark down quickly enough to receive the next shipment. You may think I'm kidding, but Gen64 can verify that. It was crazy. We filled a warehouse in Florida up with that stuff. It may still be there for all I know.

================================================== =========
I don't think she was thinking at all. Just trying to show off.....Wonder what Brokerage firm she's with on Wall Street????

While researching another topic today, I ran across a 1 page article about TG&Y in Bob Blackburn's Oklahoma County - Heart of the Promised Land (1982) and thought you might enjoy having it. It appears below.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/misc/tgy_blackburn_1982.jpg

Since several of you, particularly you, Bob, are quite knowledgeable about TG&Y, I'm wondering whether Blackburn's article is accurate, if not in what respects, etc.

What I was actually researching for was the old YMCA building, now part of the SandRidge campus, marked for demolition in the pending SandRidge campus proposal. I was looking for an actual photo of the original building (as opposed to a postcard which I already had), and I did find one in Blackburn's book ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/indiatemple/ymca1_blackburn.jpg

... but notice the caption in Bob's book for this picture ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/indiatemple/ymca1a_blackburn.jpg

Unless I am badly mistaken (it happens, and it happens a lot), this building was NOT destroyed during Urban Renewal ... depending on one's definition of destroyed ... it did receive an extreme makeover by Kerr-McGee but I don't think it was actually destroyed. Far be it from me to challenge the venerable Bob Blackburn, director of the Oklahoma Historical Society ... at least not before I do further research on the matter. But, my 1st impression is that Bob got this one wrong.

When (and if) that happens, one starts accepting less completely what the same author says about other stuff. Hence, my queries to you who have knowledge about the accuracy of what he had to say about TG&Y. One of these days/months/years, I'd like to do a story about TG&Y ... so consider this comment and your replies a part of that research.

Off topic a little bit. Have you ever done any work concerning the YWCA?

While researching another topic today, I ran across a 1 page article about TG&Y in Bob Blackburn's Oklahoma County - Heart of the Promised Land (1982) and thought you might enjoy having it. It appears below.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/misc/tgy_blackburn_1982.jpg

Since several of you, particularly you, Bob, are quite knowledgeable about TG&Y, I'm wondering whether Blackburn's article is accurate, if not in what respects, etc.

What I was actually researching for was the old YMCA building, now part of the SandRidge campus, marked for demolition in the pending SandRidge campus proposal. I was looking for an actual photo of the original building (as opposed to a postcard which I already had), and I did find one in Blackburn's book ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/indiatemple/ymca1_blackburn.jpg

... but notice the caption in Bob's book for this picture ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/indiatemple/ymca1a_blackburn.jpg

Unless I am badly mistaken (it happens, and it happens a lot), this building was NOT destroyed during Urban Renewal ... depending on one's definition of destroyed ... it did receive an extreme makeover by Kerr-McGee but I don't think it was actually destroyed. Far be it from me to challenge the venerable Bob Blackburn, director of the Oklahoma Historical Society ... at least not before I do further research on the matter. But, my 1st impression is that Bob got this one wrong.

When (and if) that happens, one starts accepting less completely what the same author says about other stuff. Hence, my queries to you who have knowledge about the accuracy of what he had to say about TG&Y. One of these days/months/years, I'd like to do a story about TG&Y ... so consider this comment and your replies a part of that research.

================================================== ========
Everything he put in there was pretty much right on the money. I knew Both Mr. Young and Mr. Gosselin....Both great guys and "tough" business men. I knew Dan Kelly very well and still see his Brother Jim who runs a variety store type business. Most everything that was written in that article comes from out of Mr. Young's book "Making of a merchant"....I have his copy if you want to borrow it. T.G.&Y. Started their "spiral" when they people of Household Finance retired Mr. Kelly and put in outside Management. The people they chose were NOT Variety Store Oriented and couldn't "Cut It". The actual TG&Y Stores Should still be in business. I don't think Wal-Mart would have been anything in this market place had the TG&Y men kept running the business. RealJimbo worked at the main office when and before I did. David Green (Hobby Lobby) is a product of TG&Y Training.....Mr. Kelly was tough but fair....But, he KNEW what he was doing as did W.W. Kelly, H.O. Price and of course C.A. "Pat" Henderson....I will help you in any research and development about this project that you need....

I'll verify what Gen64 says. May not be able to fully explain without some legal concerns, but TG&Y didn't "go broke". That story is really sad. It all boils down to gross greed on the part of a fairly small number of people. TG&Y had over 36,000 employees nationwide when they were sold. Gen64 and I are but two small voices and we both know the whole story. Many of the former employees get together once a year for a reunion by the generosity of David Green, at Hobby Lobby HQ in OKC. It is always more of a family reunion than a reunion of former co-workers. What a sad, sad thing that personal greed of a few can bring such havoc to so many people.

Off topic a little bit. Have you ever done any work concerning the YWCA?
If you mean the one which used to be south of the county courthouse on Park Avenue, yes, a little. While I've never made a study of it, I have several Oklahoman articles contemporary with its construction and have a few construction photos, as well as some postcards. But my knowledge is pretty shallow.

If you mean the one which used to be south of the county courthouse on Park Avenue, yes, a little. While I've never made a study of it, I have several Oklahoman articles contemporary with its construction and have a few construction photos, as well as some postcards. But my knowledge is pretty shallow.

Thanks Doug. During the early 1970's, a good friend of mine had a Dr. Pepper route and it included the YWCA. I went with him on his route once and it included the YWCA. I did not know about it before and probably could not tell you where it was located today.

Actually, I asked the question to get off topic to piss General '64 off! (LOL)

No! It was a valid question.....

Thanks Doug. During the early 1970's, a good friend of mine had a Dr. Pepper route and it included the YWCA. I went with him on his route once and it included the YWCA. I did not know about it before and probably could not tell you where it was located today.

Actually, I asked the question to get off topic to piss General '64 off! (LOL)

No! It was a valid question.....
Come on, Papa, why would a nice guy like you want to do a mean thing like that to the General ... sibling rivalry? :dizzy:

You would remember the building if you saw it ... immediately south of the Oklahoma County Courthouse ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/hotels/ywca01_dl.jpg

Just like to razz '64 when I get the chance. CHHS-Grant thing

I remember the YWCA was around in the early 70's. Would like to know when it was torn down.

I remember the YWCA was around in the early 70's. Would like to know when it was torn down.

The Red Cross used to sponsor swimming lessons at the old YWCA. Mom signed me up. It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. I was 8 or 9 back in the late sixties. I get goose bumps just thinking about it...scared. me. to. death.

The Red Cross used to sponsor swimming lessons at the old YWCA. Mom signed me up. It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. I was 8 or 9 back in the late sixties. I get goose bumps just thinking about it...scared. me. to. death. I was never inside the place but, would liked to have. (I learned to swim at Elmwood)

The Red Cross used to sponsor swimming lessons at the old YWCA. Mom signed me up. It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. I was 8 or 9 back in the late sixties. I get goose bumps just thinking about it...scared. me. to. death.

Were you afraid of the water or the instructors?

I learned to swim (officially) at Wiley Post.

I was never inside the place but, would liked to have. (I learned to swim at Elmwood)
================================================== =========

Learned a lot of things at Elmwood....The girls on the Grass kept their tops snapped the ones on top.....were older.....Don't climb to the third tower if you didn't want to be "Thrown" off when you froze up and wouldn't jump.....Be careful on the Trampolines....Those Springs really hurt... and don't try to imtate Elvis when he was "King" of the Juke Box.....

Were you afraid of the water or the instructors?

I learned to swim (officially) at Wiley Post.

Trying to think of the name of the park I learned to swim in. It was between
Robinson and Sante Fe at about SW 30 or 31st. Very shallow. Had a amplitheater(sp?) deal with stage area for concerts. Old rock buildings that
had various activities in summer. Great place when you were a kid.

Trying to think of the name of the park I learned to swim in. It was between
Robinson and Sante Fe at about SW 30 or 31st. Very shallow. Had a amplitheater(sp?) deal with stage area for concerts. Old rock buildings that
had various activities in summer. Great place when you were a kid.

Park name came to me. Oliver Park.

Trying to think of the name of the park I learned to swim in. It was between
Robinson and Sante Fe at about SW 30 or 31st. Very shallow. Had a amplitheater(sp?) deal with stage area for concerts. Old rock buildings that
had various activities in summer. Great place when you were a kid.

Brock Park?

Brock Park?

================================================== =========
That park was in the vicinity of the Lightning creek reserve right now. I remember there were a bunch of rock buildings like he stated. If you went east of the old Elcharrito (32/Robinson) and then north behind the old OKIE Tire Co. that's where it was. Brock park was rebuilt from a half way wading pool to a real kiddie pool.....Used to go there all the time....

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That park was in the vicinity of the Lightning creek reserve right now. I remember there were a bunch of rock buildings like he stated. If you went east of the old Elcharrito (32/Robinson) and then north behind the old OKIE Tire Co. that's where it was. Brock park was rebuilt from a half way wading pool to a real kiddie pool.....Used to go there all the time....

Lightning Creek flooded from time to time and covered the pool with brown water. Pool was right next to creek. If anyone knew Pete Prieto or brothers they lived right across the street. Got to go to El Charito once in a while,
it was on same street I grew up on , 33rd. Looked it up last night, it was Oliver Park, but couldn't find out who it was named for.

Lightning Creek flooded from time to time and covered the pool with brown water. Pool was right next to creek. If anyone knew Pete Prieto or brothers they lived right across the street. Got to go to El Charito once in a while,
it was on same street I grew up on , 33rd. Looked it up last night, it was Oliver Park, but couldn't find out who it was named for.

Went to school with Pete. He was a year older. He died a couple of years ago. not sure how....

I can’t tell you how delighted I am to find this link!!! Now, to figure out how to use it…….I started my 19 years with T.G.&Y. at the store in Penn Square on April Fools Day 1966. Never did I think that it would turn out to be such a big part of my life or the memories of those years could be as great as they still are today.
Jess Murphy was the manager of the Penn Square store at that time. After the Christmas season, when everyone’s hours were cut back, I transferred to the store at 50th and Meridian and worked for Jerry Leewright (not sure about the spelling any more) and then later B.J. Hair. I would forge Jerry Leewright’s signature in order to get myself out of school and go to work. The surprising part was that it was okay with him and he would put me to work at any time I could get there. The full time ladies worked on weekdays during the day and the high school kids covered the nights and weekends. I had the fun with the other kids but got the education of working with the daytime ladies too.
I still have the memories of price stamping the tops of the Aqua Net Hair Spray with the Garvey ink stamp. And, I remember the sound of the Sweda registers rolling, rolling, rolling when we had something like motor oil in an ad. After awhile on the registers and sales floor I was trained as the office cashier. I wasn’t even 18 yet but I was doing the payroll and handling everything else that was required in the office. No computers either! Great training for later......

I can’t tell you how delighted I am to find this link!!! Now, to figure out how to use it…….I started my 19 years with T.G.&Y. at the store in Penn Square on April Fools Day 1966. Never did I think that it would turn out to be such a big part of my life or the memories of those years could be as great as they still are today.
Jess Murphy was the manager of the Penn Square store at that time. After the Christmas season, when everyone’s hours were cut back, I transferred to the store at 50th and Meridian and worked for Jerry Leewright (not sure about the spelling any more) and then later B.J. Hair. I would forge Jerry Leewright’s signature in order to get myself out of school and go to work. The surprising part was that it was okay with him and he would put me to work at any time I could get there. The full time ladies worked on weekdays during the day and the high school kids covered the nights and weekends. I had the fun with the other kids but got the education of working with the daytime ladies too.
I still have the memories of price stamping the tops of the Aqua Net Hair Spray with the Garvey ink stamp. And, I remember the sound of the Sweda registers rolling, rolling, rolling when we had something like motor oil in an ad. After awhile on the registers and sales floor I was trained as the office cashier. I wasn’t even 18 yet but I was doing the payroll and handling everything else that was required in the office. No computers either! Great training for later......

Great story! I worked in the HQ office, but in an earlier life worked in a convenience store and can still hear the "rolling" of the Sweda cash registers too. And Garvey markers! I can still remember using that same Aqua Net Hair Spray to remove garvey ink from the tops of cans in the grocery section of the c-store.