Home
News
ENLARGE
Shown is a picture by local photographer Frank Dean — a window in time of Fifth and Rood in Grand Junction. Note the boy riding in front of the camera lens.
A study of the undated picture inclines one to wonder about that boy and the people caught in time of days long gone.
We know the Odd Fellows Hall, now Roper Music, was built in 1906, the Dalby Wendland building or then the old bank on the corner of Fifth and Main was built in 1910. The trolley cars were built and in use in May 1909 and the shoe repair shop was in business in 1913. The Fair Store on the corner of Fifth and Main streets was built in 1905. The street is still unpaved; that went on until at least 1914. Note the number of buggies on the street and that there are not any automobiles on the streets. Also, the people are wearing heavier clothing indicating fall or winter weather.
So it's before World War I; we are just starting to react to the invasion of the U.S. in New Mexico and Texas by Pancho Villa. However, on this day in Grand Junction, people are shopping at Bailey's grocery store, going to the shoe shop, riding the trolley home for lunch, or maybe just eating downtown.
We can through eyes of our time, ask how much did this boy spend of his hard-earned money to buy this bike? Or, was it a special gift? Did World War I claim him as a soldier or was his family affected with the flu of 1919 or the depression of the 1920. Did his children fight in the Second World War? Did he live to old age and die a happy man surrounded by his family?
I know from the time of this photo, my grandparents are about the same age; my father and mother are not yet born. My hope and joy for this boy on the bike is bright at this place frozen in time. He has everything a boy needs at this moment, his bike.
The sun is overhead, no shadows on the street, must be noontime. It's a clear day for Frank Dean to set up his camera in the middle of Fifth and Rood to catch the little boy who just happened to ride by. Wonder where he is going? To play? To fish? But he is dressed up a little better than usual, maybe a special event or church.
As he rides by on his bike on his journey from here to there, we hope he found what he was looking for and had an outstanding, wonderful life.
He is our “Forever Puck.” Our dreams, our vision of childhood, our dog days of summer where there is a merry-go-round, a fair, friends, picnics, football games in fields, eating ice cream and having loving parents where nothing bad will ever happen. Mom and Dad will always be there to make the hurt go away or we will never grow old, just like this Boy on a Bike.
Thank you bright-eyed boy on a bike for reminding us of that time of a special moment of our childhood.
--------------------------
Garry Brewer is finder of odd knowledge, uninteresting items, boring to his grandchildren, a pain to his wife on spelling, but a locator of golden nuggets and truths, and hundreds of hours in the newspaper files of golden nuggets & truths, & hundreds of hours in the newspaper files.
Sources: Museum of Western Colorado, Loyd Files Room, Mike Menard, Snap Photo
A study of the undated picture inclines one to wonder about that boy and the people caught in time of days long gone.
We know the Odd Fellows Hall, now Roper Music, was built in 1906, the Dalby Wendland building or then the old bank on the corner of Fifth and Main was built in 1910. The trolley cars were built and in use in May 1909 and the shoe repair shop was in business in 1913. The Fair Store on the corner of Fifth and Main streets was built in 1905. The street is still unpaved; that went on until at least 1914. Note the number of buggies on the street and that there are not any automobiles on the streets. Also, the people are wearing heavier clothing indicating fall or winter weather.
So it's before World War I; we are just starting to react to the invasion of the U.S. in New Mexico and Texas by Pancho Villa. However, on this day in Grand Junction, people are shopping at Bailey's grocery store, going to the shoe shop, riding the trolley home for lunch, or maybe just eating downtown.
We can through eyes of our time, ask how much did this boy spend of his hard-earned money to buy this bike? Or, was it a special gift? Did World War I claim him as a soldier or was his family affected with the flu of 1919 or the depression of the 1920. Did his children fight in the Second World War? Did he live to old age and die a happy man surrounded by his family?
I know from the time of this photo, my grandparents are about the same age; my father and mother are not yet born. My hope and joy for this boy on the bike is bright at this place frozen in time. He has everything a boy needs at this moment, his bike.
The sun is overhead, no shadows on the street, must be noontime. It's a clear day for Frank Dean to set up his camera in the middle of Fifth and Rood to catch the little boy who just happened to ride by. Wonder where he is going? To play? To fish? But he is dressed up a little better than usual, maybe a special event or church.
As he rides by on his bike on his journey from here to there, we hope he found what he was looking for and had an outstanding, wonderful life.
He is our “Forever Puck.” Our dreams, our vision of childhood, our dog days of summer where there is a merry-go-round, a fair, friends, picnics, football games in fields, eating ice cream and having loving parents where nothing bad will ever happen. Mom and Dad will always be there to make the hurt go away or we will never grow old, just like this Boy on a Bike.
Thank you bright-eyed boy on a bike for reminding us of that time of a special moment of our childhood.
--------------------------
Garry Brewer is finder of odd knowledge, uninteresting items, boring to his grandchildren, a pain to his wife on spelling, but a locator of golden nuggets and truths, and hundreds of hours in the newspaper files of golden nuggets & truths, & hundreds of hours in the newspaper files.
Sources: Museum of Western Colorado, Loyd Files Room, Mike Menard, Snap Photo
