Roswell, Georgia is my home town. I lived there from birth in 1954 until I graduated from Roswell High School (Go Hornets!!) in 1972. Have you been to Roswell lately? Every time I go through Roswell, I wonder what happened to my little town.
In the early 60s, we lived at 853 Mimosa Blvd. A tiny, tiny house. It had one bathroom and 2 small bedrooms. Back then, it was nothing for us to have overnight company. I don't know how we managed with one bathroom and how Mom fed everybody. Times were different then. We just made it happen.
I walked to school every day. Roswell Elementary was on my street. We used to have chapel on Monday mornings. Imagine that. After school, I would walk to Staples Drug Store and drink a lime sour while sitting at the counter listening to the old men tell stories. Doc Staples was always there serving his customers whether it was a prescription or a milkshake. My parents never had to worry about me as I walked or rode my bike all over town. My favorite was buying several things for 25 cents at the 5 and 10 cent store on the square. No crime to worry about in this little "Mayberry" town. What happened to my little town?
Everybody in town were Christians, at least they thought so. I did know some Baptists who smoked so I wasn't so sure about them. Everybody knew me. I was Preacher Robbins' boy. The Church of God preacher's kid. Everybody knew everybody. That can be good and that can be bad. It was nothing for a neighbor to call my Mom and tell her that I had muddied my pants or was drinking a second "co-cola" with peanuts and I might ruin my supper. What happened to my little town?
Times were different. On Wednesdays, we went to church. Most everybody in town went to church. The banks would close on Wednesdays and most businesses closed at noon in anticipation of Wednesday night service. We called it "YPE" in the Church of God. Teachers didn't give homework on Wednesdays. If we were in revival, Mom would send a note to the teacher requesting no homework for that week. When the Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966, the owners couldn't figure out why the Wednesday night attendance was low until they were informed that on Wednesday night people in the south go to church.
Our phone number was 4080. That's it. No prefix, no area code. I still remember my best friend, Denny Pritchett's number. It was 4397. When my sisters went to Lee College in Cleveland, TN, I remember it being a big deal to call them. First, you dialed zero on the rotary phone. Then the operator would answer and you told her "operator, I want to make a long distance call to Cleveland, Tennessee. The number is Greenwood2-1234." I never understood the Greenwood thing, but I think it was for the first 2 numbers that associated with GR. Then, someone would answer from a dorm at Lee and they would have to hunt my sister while my Mom would worry about this big long distance bill we were going to have to pay.
When I was 16, Georgia 400 was built. It began at Holcomb Bridge Road all the way down to I-285. I drove on it before it opened. Just me and the road. Boy, have things ever changed. Before 400, to get to Atlanta, we would make the long trip down Hwy 19 through Sandy Springs and Buckhead. I always enjoyed stopping at McDonald's on our way down to Lenox Square. There was nothing like that in Roswell. We did have Bob's Dairy Barn and the Green Hornet Restaurant, but nothing like McDonald's.
I remember my Mom and Dad telling me stories of how things used to be. Now, I get to tell some of those stories to my kids. I miss my little home town. What happened to my little town?
6 comments:
Mr. Robbins. The first time I saw Roswell was in 1985. Today I live there. I love it here and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
Out of curiousity, I looked up the tax records for the house you used to live in. It still has only one bathroom. :-) but now has 3 bedrooms.
I enjoyed your trip down memory lane. I found your blog through through the Lee University inCircle. I grew up in Alpharetta and lived there for 25 years until I moved to Cumming about 5 years ago. I have some of the same memories you did of Roswell. What happened to our little town?! It was so neat to read that your dad was the pastor of Roswell COG. I grew up in that church! I started going when I was 4 and just a few months ago stepped away from the church. I don't know if you know this, but it's now called Restoration COG. Thanks for sharing your memories.
From your best friend at 4397....
My wife and I really enjoyed the article that you wrote about our little town. No one could ever dream the way Roswell really was. It made me remember the number of wiffle ball games that were played in the backyard of that little 2 BR house. If I had it to do again I wouldn't change a thing. Maybe one day these two friends can play the ultimate wiffle ball game together again. As far as COG preacher's son goes I can totally relate.
Great post, Eddie! Do you remember the RHS Band playing at the grand opening of 400 in '71. We set up in the middle of the southbound lanes - all two of them at the time. My Dad would not allow my Mom to drive on 400 because if she had car trouble it would be hours before another car would come along to rescue them!
When I came back to town in '97 I was shocked how so few of the landmarks of our childhood were still there like Bob's Dairy Barn, Fitzgerald's Service Station, the old High School campus, etc.
Thanks for the trip back in time. We sound like our parents when we say things like this, but I really do miss that time... and that place.
Thanks for your post, Mr. Robbins. I lived in Alpharetta as a child in the early 70s, moved away, then moved back to roswell in 81. Even I get sad when I see how much it has changed.
WOW What memories. I lived on Sawybranch Dr off Warsaw road and walked to school at the New Mimosa Elementry. Before it opened we were went or Roswell elem, No Roswell and even a few months in Alphretta. Bobs Dairy Barn Sunday after Church, best fried chicken ever, who has that recipe. Youth day paradt, majic cheff, dairy quees, Suzuki dealer, fri night auctions, goat man, remember him, riding bikes downtown to the soda shops, what a great and innocent time. Andy Stewart 615 351 2410
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