Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 10 Nov: Embarking aboard the S.S. Monterey

Wednesday, 10 November 1937

Dr & Mrs Montries, Bella, Reg, Flora drove me down to the boat, 25 miles from Beverly Hills, in a Pierce Arrow car – Reg bought bottle of whisky to give me a good send off. Boat [S.S. Monterey] to leave at 10. Good crowd aboard, Pat O’Brien & wife, movie star.  Met Mabel & Fred [Thearle, friends from London], has she bought some lovely clothes. Had fox cape on, looking the goods. Several of the Moldavia passengers on board also. Stayed talking to Mabel until 11.30.

SS Monterey of the Matson Line
SS Monterey of the Matson Line

SS Monterey of the Matson Line

[Picture of the S.S. Monterey in Sydney Harbour]

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 29 Oct: Frisco, lunch at the Pig ‘n Whistle

Friday, 29 October 1937

Met Bella, Jean & her friend at the Emporium. Went to the Pig & Whistle [at 31 Powell Street] for lunch. Later had a look around Frisco, then back to Bella’s for tea. Went back to camp to pack up, promised to go and stay at their place for a week – raining slightly.

835 Market Street San Francisco, CA 94102

31 Powell Street San Francisco, CA 94102

749 7th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94118

The Bay Bridge from the top of the Telephone building, San FrancThe Bay Bridge from the top of the Telephone building, San Franc

Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 28 Oct: Frisco, lunch with Jean and family

Thursday, 28 October 1937

Peter called for me in a new Buick with Bella. Took me out to his place, 18 miles out. Flash suburb, lovely home, 2 boys 1 girl, keep lady help. Had lovely lunch, 2 whiskies, then Jean took us out in the car for a run around the lovely homes. Had ice sundies – then back again for dinner. Peter came back, more drinks & songs by him, good husband, nice looking. Then they drove Bella & I home about 9.30 & very proud of them all, lovely family.

Jean married at 18 – has been married 19 years, looks only a girl, had a lovely day.

Frisco - Thirza Pidgeon with possibly Bella McRitchie and her gr
Frisco – Thirza Pidgeon with possibly Bella McRitchie and her grand daughter at daughter Jean’s home in a suburb of San Francisco; 28 October 1937
Thirza Pidgeon with possibly Arthur and Bella McRitchie at their
Thirza Pidgeon with possibly Arthur and Bella McRitchie at their daughter Jean’s home in a suburb of San Francisco; 28 October 1937
L to R: Believed to be Peter ?, Bella McRitchie, four unknowns a
L to R: Believed to be Peter ?, Bella McRitchie, four unknowns and Arthur John McRitchie on far right at Peter and Jean’s (nee Jane A McRitchie, standing next to Arthur?) home in a suburb of San Francisco; 28 October 1937

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.]

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

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