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Post by guy stott on Dec 15, 2004 21:12:04 GMT -5
does anyone have any pictures of death valley before mill race park was built
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Post by David Sechrest on Dec 15, 2004 22:41:38 GMT -5
does anyone have any pictures of death valley before mill race park was built Hello Guy, and welcome to the Historic Columbus Indiana Message Board (from now on known as HCIMB). I have a couple of pictures of Death Valley in a book my parents bought for me several years back, entitled Columbus: 125 Years. I've been leary of copying them and posting them on the website, because of copyright issues. A Columbus resident contacted me back in the spring, and said her grandfather was in charge of cleaning up Death Valley back in the 60's. Apparently, he took pictures, and this person has promised to scan them for posting on my website. Also, Sylvia Wells Worton has written a book regarding her life, and growing up in Death Valley. Her book does contain a few photos. If you are interested, you can pick up a copy of her book, "Sylvia and the Spirit of the Tree," at Art In The Heartland, 408 Washington Street, Columbus, IN 47201 (812) 372-0762. Tell them I sent you. I think the book runs around $20. One day, I am hoping to provide a pictorial history on this part of Columbus' past, with photos. But, I am at the mercy of others who may have something of interest for me to post here. Many people from all over the country do email me regarding the Historic Columbus Indiana website, and one day, maybe something will come up. All I can say right now is check in from time to time... Thanks, and once again: Welcome aboard! David Sechrest
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Post by Guy Stott on Dec 17, 2004 19:52:15 GMT -5
thanks for the reply David... My family on my fathers side has been here since 1931 they lived out off of sawmill road in ogilville and dad had told me that he once had dated a girl that lived in death valley and i was wondering what it could have possibly been like.Its hard to imagine now how it would have looked back then with the tar paper shacks as dad called them standing instead of the park as we know it now...thanks again for replying so quickly
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Post by David Sechrest on Dec 17, 2004 22:11:23 GMT -5
thanks for the reply David... My family on my fathers side has been here since 1931 they lived out off of sawmill road in ogilville and dad had told me that he once had dated a girl that lived in death valley and i was wondering what it could have possibly been like.Its hard to imagine now how it would have looked back then with the tar paper shacks as dad called them standing instead of the park as we know it now...thanks again for replying so quickly When I was downtown today, I saw Sylvia (who wrote the book regarding living in Death Valley). She and I talked some about the book and about her life there. Sylvia is 72 years old. Her birthday is Christmas eve. She has an incredible memory, and told me today that she remembered something like 172 families that lived in Death Valley. She also made mention of the fact that there were things that she wanted to include in the book, but they were left out. I have encouraged her to write another book, telling those stories, and sharing them with us. Her life there was not a pretty one, and some of the stories she told me this afternoon should have been included in that book. I suggested to her that she should do a book about the families that lived there, and provide pictures of them if she could locate pictures. But, there are some people who had family that grew up there that don't want other people to know where they came from But, you're right about one thing: It's hard to imagine that a place like that existed in such a beautiful area (as it is now)...
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Post by Nancy Stevens on Mar 11, 2005 10:18:21 GMT -5
Me again, and yet again, as I look around this site.
Forgive me, but where was/is "Death Valley/Mill Race Park" located----me who hasn't lived in Columbus for over 50 years?
What has been described here, sounds ever so much like an area east and a little south of Garland Brook, and off the road that ran the same way as Gladstone. Think my folks called it Lover's Lane, altho' I know it had "a real name."
Am I anywhere close, if so, when I look for photos to share will keep that in mind in my search?
Thanks. Nanc Stevens ;-)
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Post by David Sechrest on Mar 13, 2005 23:12:19 GMT -5
Hi Nance, and welcome aboard the Historic Columbus Indiana Message Board!
Death Valley was located just west of either Lindsay or Brown (I always get the two confused), approximately between 4th and 8th Streets. It was definitely on the "other side of the tracks," and was along the flood plain of White River.
The Republic put out a book in 1997 which had a few pictures of Death Valley. As much as I'd like, I've been reluctant to include any of those pictures on the website.
A lady sent me an email about a year ago saying her grandfather was in charge of cleaning up Death Valley, and getting it ready for what we now call Mill Race Park. I need to follow up with her to see if she ever located those pictures.
It's funny you mention the area over by Garland Brook, and "Lover's Lane." It was still called that when I was a kid growing up here. My grandmother lived on Parkway Drive, and Lover's Lane was very close to her house, if I recall...
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Margo CHS Class of 55
HCI Forum Board Member
Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind; it doesn't matter.
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Post by Margo CHS Class of 55 on Apr 10, 2005 3:16:36 GMT -5
Death Valley was located right by W.W. Mooney and Sons Tannery. I don't think there was even a road into it as I remember climbing down an iron ladder when I went to visit my girlfriend who lived there. My Dad, Rex McCalip ,worked at the Tannery and they also had a garden there I believe, as I remember picking tomatoes in the Summer time.
Lover's Lane ran beside the East Side of Garland Brook Cemetery . It has now been renamed McClure Rd. but I do not recall when the name was changed. I remember so well, as I had a relative Eva Hoagland buried in the plot right close to that road. When the family went to put flowers on her grave on Decoration Day I always thought that was an unusual name for a road.
The Eastside Community Center is located at 421 McClure , and I go there to play Euchre on Sat. afternoons from 3 - 6 p.m. It is free and anyone is welcome to come and play cards with us. Margo McCalip Hughey
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Rhonda
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Post by Rhonda on Oct 25, 2005 14:09:51 GMT -5
It is my understanding that Sylvia HAS now written a second book about Death Valley. I do not know the name of it, but guess that it would be available at Viewpoint Books in the Commoms Mall, or at the Heartland shop right near the former Cummins Bookstore.
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Post by David Sechrest on Jun 22, 2006 23:03:37 GMT -5
This picture was taken by Earl Hammack during the cleanup of Death Valley. I'm sure the person that left this still wasn't too happy when they removed it!
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Margo CHS Class of 55
HCI Forum Board Member
Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind; it doesn't matter.
Posts: 376
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Post by Margo CHS Class of 55 on Jul 27, 2006 14:10:15 GMT -5
I have been trying to remember the name of my girlfriend that lived in Death Valley .As my memory comes back I went with my Older Sister..Sheila McCalip to visit HER FRIEND.
As I also recall we were forbidden to go there without a parent or an adult into "Death Valley". I distinctly remember the stone wall that ran in front of Mooney's Tannery where the employees had a vegetable garden. I think those visits were the only times I disobeyed my parents. Dad caught us coming back one time and we both received a whipping with a Peach Gad. For those of you who might not know what a peach gad was... it was a small limber limb from the peach tree we had in our Backyard on 5th and California Streets. It was stripped of all leaves except for 3-5 at the very tip of it.
To add to the humiliation Dad always made us pick out the limb under his watchful eye !!
Believe me..when that touched our legs we knew we had done some SERIOUS WRONG.
I now know why were forbidden to go there WITHOUT A PARENT or adult.. as my Mother told me later of a child who had a very unfortunate incident happen to her in there. Surely wish some one who has pics of the place would post them here.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2006 19:29:10 GMT -5
Margo, I remember death valley very well and would like to see some pictures myself. We lived at 12th and Lafayette Ave when I was a boy and I spent many days fishing on flat rock river and playing along the railroad tracks from " Jack The Bums" bridge to the bridge at death valley. I had some classmates at Wilson Jr. High that lived in death valley, last names of Johnson and Clark I remember. Yes, I wish some one would come forward with pictures of that area, and the old railroad round house that was near the valley.
George
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Margo CHS Class of 55
HCI Forum Board Member
Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind; it doesn't matter.
Posts: 376
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Post by Margo CHS Class of 55 on Oct 7, 2006 20:21:13 GMT -5
Would anyone know who was Sylvia Wells Worton's best friend during her school days It turns out to be my older sister Sheila !! I met this incredible woman today at her yard sale. Sat 10-7-06 I bought a 1982 Phone Directory from her. Will bring it to our next meeting to share. It has my Mother's phone number listed in it. She also autographed a copy of her first book about Death Valley for me and wrote some sweet words about my sister. I had quite a conversation with her and plan to go back and share some pictures of Sheila. Sylvia told me Sheila was the only person she ever invited to her home while she lived in Death Valley. I knew I had gone there with Sheila many times and now I have made the connection on who we visited. In my earlier posts about Death Valley I now need to correct myself as Sylvia was Sheila's friend we went to visit...not mine As I said before in the Trivia folder Sylvia told me Sheila was her best friend during her school days. This remarkable woman remembered my mother and father. She had many kind words to say about our family. I told her Mom and Dad always said ..." Do not judge people on their outward appearance..it's what is in the heart that counts." I wish more parents today would teach this philosophy. I have tried to carry out that advice today as I work with a lot of folks that are sometimes judged by their outward appearance. I am so pleased she autographed my book. It is fascinating to me !! I had to read several chapters in the car before I left her home. I definitely reccommend her books to anyone !! I plan to go back and get her other book when I finish with this one . In talking to her I completely forgot to ask her if we could post some of the pictures from the book on this web site. WILL DEFINITELY do so on my next visit. In this first book she has a picture taken of her when she was 15 and that really nudged my memory. I also found a picture of Mooney's Tannery where my father worked. It was an incredible day for me and I relived a lot of memories with Sylvia. I have found a new friend and will be honored to visit with her in the near future.
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katie
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Post by katie on Oct 10, 2008 18:57:21 GMT -5
Hello, I am one of the little Death Valley girls. I do remember Margo as I went to school with her.I lived there in the 1940's.I know sylvia Wells well.I still yet today have low self esteem from living there as we were shunned by the kids who knew we lived there.I come Columbus once or twice a year to visit family.I am just amaized how things have changed. katie
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Post by Ricky_Berkey on Oct 11, 2008 7:18:31 GMT -5
Katie, Welcome to our Columbus History forum and we are so glad you found us. So many newer residents in Columbus have never even heard the term "Death Valley". It so hard to imagine what our beautiful little park used to be like. We still have a few who remember growing up there and are not afraid to tell about their life. It's so hard for them when they can never quite get over the shame of simply being poor and being treated so rudely by others who were better off. People in Death Valley were proud independent folks and such an important part of our Columbus story. Hello, I am one of the little Death Valley girls. I do remember Margo as I went to school with her.I lived there in the 1940's.I know sylvia Wells well.I still yet today have low self esteem from living there as we were shunned by the kids who knew we lived there.I come Columbus once or twice a year to visit family.I am just amaized how things have changed. katie
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katie
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Posts: 40
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Post by katie on Oct 12, 2008 7:22:02 GMT -5
The people in Death Vally were proud people and some of them did not even realize they were poor. They lived in a world of their own.They just did not realize then how it affected the children. My Mother is 91years old and she still dose not understand why they got rid of Death Vally.But a lot of people there, such as my Mother was not educated,knew no other life or way of living. They had no skills and had to take minimum paying jobs. I have so many memories of the time we lived there. My great-Grandmother,Grandmother and our family lived there so you can see there was 3 generations of us.
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katie
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Post by katie on Oct 14, 2008 8:56:02 GMT -5
I was wondering how Death Vally came to be. I lived there, but never how it came in existence. I have heard stories that there was an ice house there that they collected ice from the river and stored it there.I remember our family paid 9.00 a month for rent.I do not know who collected this money. Shame on them. Katie
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sara
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Post by sara on Nov 1, 2008 14:25:19 GMT -5
hi, there were 2 ways to enter death valley.west on 5th st, cross over railroad by the tannery .there was a road that went to the left. you could go around in a circle and come back out the way you entered. also you could go west on 4th st. cross over the tracks and go down a hill. make a circle and come back up onto 4th st. the people were poor but we all survived.it was sad to live there.but in our hearts we were just as good as the richer ones or maybe better than the ones whom down graded us.sry to say that.
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Post by Ricky_Berkey on Nov 2, 2008 6:59:03 GMT -5
Sarah, Do you remember if anyone had official addresses or was it not even recognized as a housing area. Was the mail delivered to the Death Valley resident's? hi, there were 2 ways to enter death valley.west on 5th st, cross over railroad by the tannery .there was a road that went to the left. you could go around in a circle and come back out the way you entered. also you could go west on 4th st. cross over the tracks and go down a hill. make a circle and come back up onto 4th st. the people were poor but we all survived.it was sad to live there.but in our hearts we were just as good as the richer ones or maybe better than the ones whom down graded us.sry to say that.
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katie
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Posts: 40
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Post by katie on Nov 2, 2008 7:19:49 GMT -5
Sara, What a memory. I did not think you would remember Death Valley Do you remember the dump under the railroad tressel where we would search for treasure's.We would always think that someone would throw some thing of value there. Glad you found this site.Katie
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sara
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Post by sara on Nov 2, 2008 7:26:25 GMT -5
Want to say thank you for telling me about this site.Oh yes I do remember alot as this is something you will never forget.Like i said we were poor but was just as good as eveybody else as GOD treated us all equal
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