Arthur John McRitchie Archives

November 4, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 4 Nov: San Franciso to Los Angeles, CA – 500 miles

Thursday, 4 November 1937

Left Frisco for Los Angeles 7, bus from the city. Arthur came down with us to see us off – had a lovely run of about 500 miles to Hollywood. Got there at 7. Flora & her 2 boys [Jack and William] there to meet us. Drove to her house [110 N Maple Drive, Beverly Hills], Spanish type, 2 nice boys, her husband [Reginald Goldwater] away for the night on business, Had a lovely place, 2 nice bathrooms, lots of talk then to bed.

110 North Maple Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Los Angeles, CA

San Francisco, CA

[Flora’s son, Jack Goldwater, was killed 7 December 1941 on board the USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor during the initial surprise attack by the Japanese which thrust the US into WW2. Bella McRitchie wrote to Thirza on 6 April 1942 that her dear grandson Jack was not meant to be on duty that day but had taken a friend’s shift. She wrote that he was blown to bits by the first bomb whilst trying to radio from the turret. Unfortunately Thirza never received the letter, having passed away herself from cancer the preceding August at age 62.]

October 30, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 30 Oct: Frisco, staying at 7th Avenue

Saturday, 30 October 1937

Came to Bella’s about 9.30. The Spriggins only staying 3 days in Frisco, so have gone to 7^th avenue. After lunch went into town, all the shops are open until 6 o’clock – had afternoon tea at the City of Paris, one of the best shops. Had dinner, then played crib with Arthur, lost his right thumb about 19 years ago.

October 27, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 27 Oct: Frisco, visiting McRitchie relatives

Wednesday, 27 October 1937

Went, met Bella [McRitchie], looks very young. Had chicken lunch then out to her flat. She cut my hair. Had afternoon tea. I bought two dresses – 1 hat, dresses 9.50 each, hat 1.90 tax about 2/ – fit me good. Oh, Arthur & son Bill [Bella’s husband and Thirza’s uncle] came home to dinner, very glad to see me – Arthur looks very well, and very happy – Jean & husband [Peter] came after, had a good evening, and they drove me home – She had married very well – both have their own cars. Going out tomorrow for lunch, husband is calling for me.

[At the time Arthur and Bella McRitchie were renting a home at 749 7th Avenue, San Francisco which is now part of a Safeway shopping complex.]

October 26, 2013

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 26 Oct: Eureka to San Francisco, CA – miles

Frisco

Tuesday, 26 October 1937

Had a lovely drive through the Redwood Forest, very fine, largest and tallest trees in the world. Got as far as Santa Rosa – con rod broke in the car – arrived in Frisco about 8, in a very heavy fog. Crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, cost us 2/ – Drove through the city, all very gay the lights, trouble in finding a Camp – got one in Mission Rd. for 2.75 a night for the three – after tea, went to the phone, rang Belle Allen [Allan]. Got an awful shock when I told her who I was. Promised to meet her tomorrow at 11.

[Isabella McRitche (nee Allan) was the wife of Thirza’s uncle, Arthur John McRitchie who was born in Sydney, NSW, Australia in December 1869, only 10 years older than Thirza. He married Isabella Allan (b. June 1874) in 1896 in Sydney and they had two daughters born in Sydney, Florabelle in 1897 and Jane in 1900. The family migrated to San Francsico, California in Dec 1906 where a son, William (Bill) James was born in 1907. Arthur was a carpenter and it is suspected that he had moved to the San Francisco area to help in the rebuilding of the city following the devastating 1906 earthquake. Florabelle had married Reg Goldwater and Jane (Jean) was married to a Peter ? at the time of Thirza’s visit.]

San Francisco, CA 94112

Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA 94129