MORA BLOG ITEM FOUR
Kid Stuff, Longmire, 1930s
by Doug Evans
Since we had no neighbors near our cabin at the mill site of the Paradise Mining & Milling Co., all of my social interactions with other kids of my age were at Longmire. Mostly, we just played unorganized games like tag, cowboys ‘n’ Indians, etc. There were also plenty of organized community activities: Fourth of July picnics, Halloween parties, and Santa Claus always arrived for the big Christmas party. And, there were as many birthday parties as there were kids.
This photo, in about 1936-37, was for Jackie Davis’ fifth or sixth birthday.
Kid Stuff, Longmire, 1930s
by Doug Evans
Since we had no neighbors near our cabin at the mill site of the Paradise Mining & Milling Co., all of my social interactions with other kids of my age were at Longmire. Mostly, we just played unorganized games like tag, cowboys ‘n’ Indians, etc. There were also plenty of organized community activities: Fourth of July picnics, Halloween parties, and Santa Claus always arrived for the big Christmas party. And, there were as many birthday parties as there were kids.
This photo, in about 1936-37, was for Jackie Davis’ fifth or sixth birthday.
Back row, l. to r: First kid is me. I may have lived in a rustic remote cabin without plumbing, but I knew how to dress up for an occasion. Second, head barely showing is Carl Tice, Jr. His dad was long-time Nisqually district ranger. Carl retired as a roads and trails supervisor at MORA. Third is Maury Peterson; his dad worked in maintenance. Last is Johnny Anderson; his dad was a heavy equipment operator. Many years later, Johnny owned and operated Gateway Inn just outside the Nisqually entrance.
Front row, l. to r: Meredith Glen, son of Marlowe Glen of the administration division. Second is Bobby Tomlinson, son of Major Owen Tomlinson, the park superintendent; one of the legendary retired army officer superintendents of that era. Bobby had lost his lower right arm when he slid and fell from the roof of the garage at the superintendent’s residence at Nisqually entrance. Third is Jackie Davis, the birthday boy. His dad was chief ranger, John Davis. Much later Jack became superintendent at several parks, including Redwoods and Sequoia, where his dad had been superintendent some years earlier. He also served as regional director of Western Region. Jack retired as Associate Director of Operations, Washington office and currently lives in Green Valley, Arizona, just south of Tucson. We still see each other occasionally at retiree luncheons. Last is Richard Waterhouse, son of the park engineer.
During those days, when Longmire was park headquarters, is was a vital and idyllic community, a perfect place for a young kid to grow up. I am delighted and proud to call Longmire my home town.
