1944 - Politics, Movies and Peanuts

1944 was an election year in Santa Fe when partisan politics ruled. Republicans held all city offices and planned to keep them. Santa Fe’s Mayor Manuel Lujan, ran for a second consecutive term opposed by former Governor John Miles (1939-1943), a Democrat, who had just finished a term as the State’s top executive. Ole John Miles, as he was popularly known, found local politics a bit rough. He was forced to take to the newspapers to deny persistent rumors that, if elected, he would fill City Hall with Anglos.

Some city council members – called alderman in 1944 – picked up Republican challengers as well and the incumbent Police Magistrate, Joe Berardinelli, also drew opposition from local blind lawyer Albert Gonzales.

The Democrats’ assigned attack dog for 1944 was District Attorney David Carmody whose accusations against the Republican incumbents included charges of theft of jewelry by the City’s police captain, A.B. Martinez. This accusation arose from claims that city police were slow in returning recovered stolen jewels because the victim was the “son of a Republican.” Carmody went on to claim that the police had allowed juvenile delinquency to run rampant in Santa Fe.

Carmody’s Republican counterpart, sitting councilman Tony Mignardot, called the attack “vicious and untrue”. Mignardot pointed out that juvenile delinquency afflicted the entire nation, not just Santa Fe. Mignardot labeled the theft charge “absolutely untrue” because the supposedly missing jewelry was, in fact, timely returned and that Carmody, as D.A., was well aware of it.

Notwithstanding the attacks, the old council swept back into office, restoring Lujan to the Mayor’s post and the incumbents --Tony Mignardot, Raymond P. Shaya, Frank S. Ortiz, Ben L. Martinez and Dr. Albert S. Lathrop – back to the council. Most of these men were well known small businessmen except “Doc” Lathrop who was probably Santa Fe’s most popular family doctor.

A digression: Dr. Lathrop delivered all the children in my family and he was our family doctor for some years. My early memories are of the old Coronado building across from the Cathedral Park on Palace Avenue, the sharp disinfectant smell, a very pink face and the gleam of rimless glasses. He was efficient, competent and he always spoke kindly to my mother.

What I never knew, until quite recently, was that Dr. Lathrop led an active intellectual life. For years, since 1938, Dr. Albert Lathrop was a member of the Chili Club. This male only club consisted of exactly twelve prominent men of wide-ranging careers – art, law, business, architecture and medicine, to name a few – who met monthly to present a paper and discuss the important issues of the day. In the event of a vacancy, a new member could be added only by a unanimous vote. Interestingly, the club was called AXIS at its inception but became the Chili Club when the U.S. entered the Second World War.

The original club members were Reginald Fisher, Albert S. Lathrop, Raymond Jonson, C.J. Kinsolving, Carl Gilbert, Hugo Zehner, George Bloom, Gordon Martin, Albert Beer, John Gaw Meem, William Strohm and Miguel Otero. The member’s papers addressed lofty topics, such as education, citizenship, economics and foreign policy.

“Doc” Lathrop’s first paper (April 1938) was entitled, “Is State Medicine Necessary.” His last paper (February 1970) was “Fifty Years of Change in the Practice of Medicine.” “Doc” Lathrop’s paper in 1944 was “The Neophyte in Politics.”

The Chili Club met regularly from 1938 until 2004 when the club disbanded and turned over its records, including the collection of papers, to the Museum of New Mexico for safekeeping. Digression concluded.

Among the typical business matters arising before the 1944 City council was a public hearing on the renewal of Jesus Rios’ license to operate his wood yard on the corner of Canyon Road and Camino del Monte Sol. Some of the neighbors had been complaining about the trucks and the noise. But the wood yard had been on that corner about 15 years by 1944 and Mr. Rios was well respected. Both old time Santa Feans and preservationists spoke up in favor of keeping the wood yard and, in the end, the license was renewed.

City Hall also heard a request for funding of the municipal golf course which had overspent its budget by $700. The course had been built by the WPA in the 30’s on land donated by Charles Catron, son of the better known T.B. Catron. The course had been maintained, for the last few years, by Japanese interns from the detention camp. To the amusement of the Council, City Clerk Lawrence Tamme disclosed that, in return, the Japanese interns were allowed to play golf for free. After some discussion, $100 was given to the golf course while the council mulled over the full request.

Few council members wanted to spend city money on extravagances like golf courses in the middle of a war; most voiced a preference to spend it on long overdue street repair. The poor condition of the city’s streets had begun to provoke editorials in the local newspaper which issued many an editorial, the most dramatic of which declared that Santa Fe’s pot holes were more like soldiers’ fox holes, large enough to lose children in. The specter of losing their children apparently persuaded the City Council to fix the streets instead of the golf course. But when the street job was let out for bid, only a single bidder appeared and with a price tag well beyond the City’s budget.

While City Hall wrestled with vexing questions, citizens could escape into the fantasy world of the silver screen. Santa Fe boasted two excellent movie houses in 1944. The LensicTheatre, still in operation as a venue for theatrical acts, concerts, plays and the occasional movie, was the grander of the two. The exterior was (and still is) a striking -- some might say garish -- combination of Moorish and Spanish Renaissance architecture, quite unlike any other building on San Francisco Street. The interior featured plush seating, velvet stage curtains and a dark blue ceiling sprinkled with a few tiny lights to simulate a night sky.

The Lensic experience came with premium pricing: for matinees, Rockers and smokers were 60 cents a seat, the main floor and balcony cost 45 cents and children under 12 were admitted for 17 cents. The prices rose for nights, Sundays and holidays: 75 cents for a rocker or smoker seat, main floor 55 cents, balcony 45 cents and kids were 20 cents. The Paris Theatre, just up the street, was generally cheaper. Rockers were always 45 cents, Main and Balcony seating, 35 cents and kids were admitted for just 14 cents.

There was a significant difference between the two theaters which, I suspect, accounted for the pricing. As a general rule, the Lensic showed first run color pictures such as “The Song of Bernadette” (Jennifer Jones, Vincent Price and Linda Darnell as the Virgin Mary) and “Black Swan” (Tyrone Power and Maureen O’Hara). The Lensic was also home to the newest musicals, such as “Thank Your Lucky Stars,” with Eddie Cantor, Humphrey Bogart, Betty Davis, Ann Sheridan and the lovely Dinah Shore.

The Paris Theater, however, specialized in B-movies like “Mystery Broadcast” with the very cute Ruth Terry as a radio detective taking on a real case; “Cowboy Commandos” with Crash Corrigan and the Range Busters who bust a gang of nazi saboteurs and “I Walked with a Zombie,” with Tom Conway and Francis Dee, a movie which cleverly integrated zombies into the basic plot of “Jane Eyre.”

Both theaters held weekend matinees for the younger set. Those matinees usually included a cartoon, a novelty film, a newsreel and an episode of a serial such as “King of the Mounties” with Allan Lane and Peggy Drake, in which evil Axis agents bombed Canada with a mystery aircraft in preparation for invasion. The King of the Mounties took 12 episodes to uncover and foil the plot, but unaccountably failed to explain why anyone would want to invade Canada.

Santa Feans, I suppose, had other concerns, such as who would win the Hinkel’s Department Store Baby Contest and the first prize of a $25 war bond. The winner was 6-month old Mary Louise Ortiz, daughter of Mrs. L. Ortiz of 126 Jefferson Street. Second prize of$10 in war stamps went to baby David Stephenson, 16 months old, son of Captain and Mrs. John E. Stephenson, 232 Hillside. Third prize of $5 in war stamps went to baby Diana Marie Romero, 9 months old, daughter of Corporal and Mrs. Henry Romero, 223 Closson Street. And fourth prize, $3 in war stamps, was won by baby Donald Ortiz, 9 months old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sabino Ortiz of 625 Don Felix.

Downtown appeared to be lively commercial area. Santa Fe men of distinction visited the DeVargas Barber shop whose motto was “Service, sanitation, satisfaction,” conveniently located at the DeVargas Hotel at 206 Don Gaspar. These gentlemen may well have dropped in at the Plaza Cigar Store, on the Plaza, for a good smoke and a visit with friendly manager Henry Dakos.

The ladies of Santa Fe had more choices in personal grooming. There was the Coronado Beauty shop in the Coronado Building, featuring the latest beauty fad, the “Slenderator,” a gizmo designed to reduce without diet or exercise. The El Fidel Beauty Service, 208 Galisteo, offered Helene Curtis Cold Waves. The La Von Beauty Shoppe, boasted quality work at quality prices at 115½ Don Gaspar. The Unique Beauty Shop, owned and operated by Jewel Fones, at 127 West Palace was a particular favorite as it was just a short walk to the Placita Bon Bon Shop, 131½ East Palace where a bag of chocolate covered peanuts was just 9 cents.

1959 - A Slice of Life

I was twelve years old in 1959, living in Casa Solana – then known as that new subdivision where the old Japanese internment camp used to be, spending summer days in playing baseball and riding my bicycle, watching science fiction on television and reading Perry Mason mysteries and the entire Bronc Burnett series. Instead, I should have been reading the newspaper. I missed all this the first time.

Take this interesting historical footnote. The first baby born in Santa Fe in 1959 was Eddie Rivera. Eddie’s parents were Rosalio and Stella Rivera of 986 Acequia Madre. Eddie weighed in at 8 lbs, 2 ounces when he first made an appearance at 7:46 p.m. on January 1. This was an important event in Santa Fe’s community life because of a tradition among local merchants to shower the first baby of the year in prizes and take out splashy newspaper ads to boast. In 1959, for example, Kaune’s gave a case of milk, Capital Pharmacy delivered a selection of even-flo nursing bottles, Livingston Furniture gave away a crib and Lullaby Laundry promised 2 weeks of free diaper service to mom and dad.

In 1959, Leo Murphy was the City’s Mayor, presiding over councilors Ray Arias, Andre Senutovitch, Willie Seligman, Ray Smith, Orlando Fernandez, P.A. Baca, Pat Hollis and George Bernstsen. Howard Ashbaugh was the City Manager. It was this administration, incidentally, which authorized the increase in parking meter fees from 5 cents an hour to 10 cents an hour.

A brand new airport, finished the previous year at a cost of $884,000, formally opened the City of Santa Fe to jet service. The bridges at Camino Alire and DeFouri streets were completed. The Casa Solana subdivision – phase 1 – was completed, with the builder Allen Stamm promising more to come. And the City of Santa Fe was raising the money to buy the old Bruns Hospital land where De Vargas Junior High and LaFarge Library would eventually be built.

City Judge Rumaldo E. “Cuate” Chavez’ often appeared in the paper, his photo accompanying a gleeful article on the latest nutty case in the people’s court. In 1959, the best story was this: two sisters in their twenties, Sophie and Appolonia Sena, were picked up one evening for being drunk, fighting in public and disorderly conduct. When they were hauled in to the station, the sisters began a brawl with the night desk sergeant and it took more than a few cops to hold them down. While all this is going on, the girls’ mother showed up – Mrs. Antonia Sena – and it turned out Mama was also stinkin’ drunk and fighting mad. So the whole family went to jail that night. The Sena women appeared a little more sober at the next day’s hearing before a stern Judge Chavez. The Judge pronounced sentence on all three, declaring that “This is the City of Holy Faith and I intend to keep it clean.” All three women received 90 days.

Teenage hangouts in 1959 included the drive-in. Dairy Queen had two locations -- one on Cordova road and one on Agua Fria street, across from the Guadalupe Church. Louie's Drive-in was at 1303 Hickox and the Mity Nice Creamery was located just up from St. Mike’s High School at 462 College. And there was the Neet Teen Drive-in at 1057 Pen road and, of course, the legendary Pop Ingrams' at 1734 Cerrillos Road. By far, the most popular teen spot in town, Ingram’s specialties were pizza burgers and chocolate cokes.

These same teens led lives rich in activity, if the local papers were to be believed. There was high school athletics, clubs and societies, even fancy dress balls.

Santa Fe High School held its Junior-Senior prom at La Fonda, with the theme of ‘Twilight Time.’ The Santa Fe New Mexican photographer captured festive couples in this elegant setting, including Nancy McCrary and Joe Ashton, Ramona Horst and Joe Durr, Adele Croucher and Tony Romero and Tanya Sorenson and Ken McMillan. The newspaper reported that most of the young ladies wore classic ballerina length formals but some opted for the more modern look, the bouffant floor length gown.

The La Fonda was also the setting for the Loretto Academy Senior Prom. Susan Vigil was chosen Queen of the Loretto Senior Prom, Queen Susan was escorted by Dan Romero and attended by Princess Bernadette Pesenti.

Leah Harvey Junior High School held its 1959 Sweetheart Ball. The Sweetheart Queen was Kathryn Padilla, attended by Princesses Carmen Ortega, Peggy Sanchez, Georgia Gallegos, Roberta Alderete and Savita Muzumdar.

Pojoaque high school held a fashion show to show off the work of the homemaking classes. Modeling the 8^th grade fashions were Cynthia Cole, Marie Duran, JoAnn Herrera, Annie Montoya, Lydia Herrera, Pita Ortiz, Elvira Oritz, Evangeline Ortiz, Florence Quintana, Tessie Terrazas, Annabelle Serna, Lorinda Romero, Emilian Vigil, Socorro Garcia, Lorenza Herrera and Nancy Lujan. Junior High student models included Margie Rivera, Lupe Lopez, Dolores Roybal, Katie Rudolph, Florence Lujan, Gloria Vigil and Naomi Romero. Naomi Romero, by the way, was Student Council President in 1959. The award winning Pojoaque High School Band provided the music as the models worked the runway.

Salazar Elementary School presented its production of “The Mikado,” a favorite Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. David Stuppy played the Lord High Executioner, Greg Powell was Lord High Everything Else and Joy Romero played Pish-Tush. Bob Davidson played Nanki-poo and the Three Little Maids were played by Karen Piatt, Deanne Davis and Phyllis Payne.

Loretto Academy held its annual competition for scholarships to among participating parish schools. $50 scholarships went to Kathleen Brown and Rosella Martinez of St. Francis School and Ann Peck and Margaret Castle of Loretto grade school. $25 scholarships were awarded to Rita Chavez of St. Ann School, Gerlinda Gallegos of St. Francis school and Deborah Walker, Theresa Nava, Barbara Bailey and Victoria Koren of Loretto Grade School. 55 girls competed for those honors.

Loretto Academy school reporter, Hilda Lithgow, announced the honor roll for the first six weeks of 1959: seniors Patricia Riddell and Agatha Armijo, juniors Hilda Lithgow, Margarita Ortiz y Davis, Siegrid Hoyt, Sally Gonzales, Nannie Joe Benavidez, Elizabeth Edwards, Pat Kleckska, Lydia Lopez, Judy Dinkel, Rita Martinez and Rosina Montoya, sophomores Gloria C de Baca, Rosemarie Benavidez and Mary Ann Rael and freshmen Barbara Rodriguez, Mary Larkin and Eileen Madrid. In May 1959, Loretto Academy graduated 58 girls, among them class valedictorian Patricia Riddell and salutatorian Agatha Armijo.

The St. Michael’s High School Horsemen traditionally recruited its cheerleaders from the girls of Loretto Academy and 1959 produced a particularly attractive group: Hilda Lithgow, Delores Gonzales, Lucretta Baca, Rita Martinez and head cheerleader, Bernadette Pesenti.

St. Michael’s High School graduated 59 boys in 1959. Governor John Burroughs was a special guest at Commencement. Marvin Smith was the valedictorian for 1959 and Stephen Newfield gave the salutatory address. Special awards also went to seniors Leslie McDonald, Ernest Sanchez, Juan Fornelli and Michael Avenenti.

Ann Hargett, a senior at Pojoaque High School was the winner of the Baushch & Lomb Honorary Science Award Medal. The bronze token is awarded only to those students with demonstrated superior scientific aptitude. Ann was valedictorian among 28 graduating seniors at Pojoaque. Emelda Gomez was the salutatorian and, winning third in scholastic honors, was Lourdes Garduno. Other outstanding Pojoaque students for 1959 included Sally Serna, Naomi Romero, Lorraine Roybal, Ted Montoya and Freddy Montoya.

Outstanding athletes at Santa Fe High School were awarded trophies during a dinner dance held at the Town House. Bobby Sosaya won for football, Mike Lucero for basketball, Jim Wilcoxon for baseball, Ray Coriz for Tennis and Ralph Leyba for Track. Over 100 others were awarded letters for excellence in sports. These athletes then selected pretty Peggy Croshaw as Varsity Queen to preside over the dance

Today’s Blog Post has been brought to you by the Hobby Shop -- a kid's paradise of toys, models, coins and stamps located at 103 E. Palace. And by Pansy's Cafe -- always service with a smile at Pansy's, located at 3000 Cerrillos Road. Don’t forget to catch the grand opening of The M&S Supermarket, brand new in 1959, on Alameda Street just across the river from the Guadalupe Church and special thanks to the Santa Fe Music and Appliance Company where you’ll always find the best bargains in freezers, pianos, TV sets and stoves, plus a complete line of records, all at 121 West San Francisco in downtown Santa Fe.