Those Were The Days
I have really been enjoying reading the Euclid Observer; I like the fact that it is all about Euclid. For instance, my husband and I have been to the Paradise Restaurant twice since we discovered that Bob Ryan was the chef. We have followed him for years and knew we would have a great meal. Well, since I love history, I thought I would share how things have changed over the years.
I moved to Euclid when I was 6 and lived in the Euclid homes project. It was a wonderful place to grow up, with kids everywhere. When it was hot (and it was a lot) we would put bathing suits on, grab a towel and go to the Administration Building and run through a giant sprinkler. Swimming pools were non-existent. In the winter, a small pond next to the same building would freeze over and everyone would go ice skating. It was not smooth like a rink but it was fun. The freeway now occupies this space.
I also went to Roosevelt school, and weather permitting, I would put my dollhouse in a wagon and pull it to school. I would set it on our fire escape porch and during recess we would play with it under the trees. I also remember learning to dance in gym class and counting tax stamps. For those that don’t know what tax stamps were, they were stamps we received every time we paid tax for something. The schools collected them and were able to purchase things like gym or playground equipment.
I went to summer day camp at the Euclid clubhouse, now the Senior Center.
Some times in the summer the temperatures would get in the 90s, and even 100s; the bedrooms were too hot to sleep because there was no air conditioning in those days. Everyone in the unit would put blankets and pillows on the front lawns and bring out snacks, and we would sleep under the stars.
Euclid Central School became a junior high school when the “new” high school opened. At lunch time we would take a bagged lunch and go to Metropolitan Park and wade in the creek while we ate, and we were never late coming back for class. The Euclid Vets festival was held at Recher Hall every summer just across the street from where I lived. It was an old fashioned festival, complete with a beauty contest! We also had Euclid Race Dairy on East 200 Street. That was THE place to go for ice cream and hanging out after school, and the Lake Theater was THE place to go on a special date.
I learned a lot at Euclid High School but my favorite was learning how to swim. We took turns with the boys since there was only one pool back then. Years later on a tour, I was in awe at the additions of the planetarium the green house and second pool. What a thrill I had four years, ago watching my granddaughter in a swim competition at Euclid. And last but not least, every summer we would have Euclid Day at Euclid Beach Park. We did not realize until it was gone how lucky we were to have an amusement park right here at home.
After raising three kids in Euclid, I guess I have “been there and done that.” Euclid is my hometown.