Tag: San Francisco

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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.]

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Thirza Pidgeon’s 1937 World Tour – 31 Oct: Frisco, day trip to Grass Valley, Nevada

Sunday, 31 October 1937

Left home at ¼ to 7. Took car to the ferry. Huge boat – Santa Clara to Oakland then took train to Sacramento, the capital, 2 hours run in the train. Lorna Finch met us at the station, drove us 3 miles to their home, got there about 10, sat down to breakfast grapefruit, bacon, sausages & eggs quite a large meal, then Mr Finch drove us 157 miles to Grass Valley, Nevada. Got back to the house about 4. Had been on the road, had a big dinner at night. Got back to Frisco at 11 o’clock.

San Francisco, CA

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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

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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

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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.]

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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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