I was just in the Springs, from Kansas City, for a quick Memorial Day trip, with my aging father, fearing it may be the last time he sees our home town, or at least is mentally able to appreciate it.
Dad worked at Southgate Sears, and we lived at 2043 S. Corona, in Stratton Meadows. Later, lived at 35 S. Claremont, and finally built a home in Rustic Hills, 1530 Sanderson Ave, off Palmer Park. Built house in late '68, occupying in early 1969. Built it for $19,000.00! I was in Kindergarten. Sold it in about 1978 for sixty or seventy thousand.
We shopped at the Rustic Hills center all the time. Was the discount store a Gibson's store? Dad considered buying a pickup from the owner of the gas station that was directly in front of that store.
At the mall entrance just west of that store, was Guadalupe Hildalgo's (hope that name is right) I believe it was a gift shop. Or is that the name of a Catholic church in town? (I'm old and confused) There was also Radio Shack, "A Tandy Company," remember?
Furrs Cafeteria had a live pianist playing sometimes. It was at Furr's that I was taught manners, by my Grandma.
The mall had rough-hewn wood pillars and beams, and a sort of rustic southwestern clay tile floor. At the other end was Safeway grocery store, which had the sweeping, laminated wood beams that all Safeway stores did, for many years.
My God, just once I'd like to Christmas Shop at Rustic Hills center just once more, and see my parents young again, as I remember them.
True Springs Native
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