The Nations Building

From the Don Jackson Collection, LLF Library

"Nations Building -- The only information for this photo is the word "Nations." It looks like some kind of store front." -- Library caption.

I am clueless as to where this building was/is, so fire away with your information and comments, either here or on Facebook.  The car in the background makes me wonder the date as well, perhaps WWII or earlier?

Bloggers Note:  Sippiana Succotash is going on hiatus for  a week or so for some much needed R&R.  We will resume around Memorial Day, possibly earlier.  

Peace out, Y'all. 

A Prize Catch and a Possible Clue to a Mystery ...

From the John Holly Williams Collection, LLF Library

"Five men holding a long line of fish. Taken downtown Brookhaven. Date 8/13/1951." -- Library Caption

I am featuring this photo not so much for the catch and the unnamed men and little boy to the far right, but for what's in the background -- Gulley's Men's Store.  

Two days ago, a post of Wilson's Department Store got a lot of people wondering where on earth it might have been in downtown Brookhaven, if at all, and a lively debate ensued on my Facebook page.  

I am thinking that since Gulley's (now the approximate location of Smith's Jewelers) was east of Benoits and west of Hodge's, that Gulley's was probably the location for Wilson's, which operated in the mid 1960s, according to a Facebook friend who worked there over the Christmas holidays in 1965.  

Comments, opinions, and respectful disagreements are welcome, here or on Facebook!  

I just love a mystery, don't you?

Also, if anyone recognizes any of the men or the little boy in the photo, please offer up names.  

David Davidson as a Tot

From the John Holly Williams Collection -- LLF Library

"Several pictures show a mother and her little boy at home reading a book. Some of the pictures are single poses of the mother and some are single poses of the little boy. Only information is the name 'Davidson,' and the date 1945." -- Library caption.

I am going to go out on a limb here and say this toddler is David Davidson, born Feb. 13, 1943. His parents were Burton Kinchen Davidson (1904-1988) and Elizabeth Pitts Davidson (1906-1998).  

From what I know, Burton Davidson and photographer John Holly Williams were the best of friends, and Mr. Williams and his wife treated David like the son they never had.  For many years after World War II, the Davidsons lived in the Florida Keys, where David's father worked for the U.S. government.

Mr. Williams kept an old Model T Ford parked outside his Art Studio during the late 1950s to help attract business, and he was more than happy to allow Dave and my brother Sam drive around town in a most unique car and attract pretty young girls in the process.

David grew up to be a crooner and a musician. Please see this link to view an earlier Sippiana Succotash post featuring David as the entertainer at one of the Lion's Club Water Carnivals.

UPDATE:  My brother, who was friends with David for many years, reports that David married the daughter of the President of Costa Rica and lived there for many years.  After that marriage ended, he lived in Fort Lauderdale and owned a bar there.  He arrived back in Brookhaven around 1978 or 1979. My brother lost touch with him after 1983, when he was last known to be selling cars in Brookhaven and still dabbling in music.

David died Dec. 5, 2002, age 59.  He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Brookhaven, and his black granite grave marker, which has an etching of a guitar on it, is not far from the old stone fountain.

  

Wilson Department Store

Don Jackson Collection -- LLF Library

"Wilson Department Store -- Lewis Wilson had this photo taken of a men's department store. The store shows suits on a wall and also hats." -- Library caption.

Okay, I'll admit it -- this one has me completely stumped.  I do not recall a Wilson Department Store, nor do I recognize any of the people in this photo.  Perhaps this is from a neighboring town or perhaps I just have a huge gap in my knowledge of the merchants in the area?  

Help is appreciated on this one!  Here or on Facebook.

1956 Chevy and Friends

From the Don Jackson Collection -- LLF Library

Two classics sit wrecked at an auto body shop in downtown Brookhaven.  This is circa 1960, based on the Chevrolet in the background.

I haven't been able to figure out the make and model of the little convertible to the left of the 1956 Chevy, although I suspect it's an MG or a Triumph.  Motorheads feel free to chime in on what you know about these cars.

Update:  The convertible to the left of the Chevy is most likely an Austin-Healey MK1 3000, and the year could be 1959, '60 or '61, based on my cursory search of the internet.  Thanks to Larry Morgan for putting me straight on the supposition this car was an MG or a Triumph.  The motto of the Austin Healey at the time was "Go fast and look good doing it," or words to that effect.  It appears the driver took that motto to heart.

Walley-Field Drugs and More

From the Don Jackson Collection, LLF Library

"One of Brookhaven's downtown buildings was the home of Walley-Field drug store. A cafe that was 

next door can also be seen." -- Library caption.

Based on the cars, this photo was probably taken circa WWII, possibly earlier.  I not sure which building housed Walley Field, although I was always under the impression it was near Jackson Studio.  


The spilt back windows and the two tail lights can be something of an indicator of the makes and models, although the poor resolution on either photograph is a hindrance to my best efforts at Googling and matching up these cars to classics.

I would appreciate any car enthusiast who knows more about the makes and models than I do to help me out by leaving a message here or on my Facebook page.

  

Brookhaven's Bravest ... And Our Very Own "Red" ...

From the Don Jackson Collection, LLF Library 

"Brookhaven Fire Department -- Several men are standing on a street in front of a fire truck."  -- Library caption.

Names?  Dates?  Please offer up what you may know.  My best guess that this photo was taken in the mid to late 1960s.  They are standing in front of the old brick fire house from 1910, which is at the back of old City Hall, now home to the Chamber of Commerce.  The steps on the lower right are those of the first public library. 

On a personal note: I simply love the 1956 American LaFrance fire truck on the right, since I am a diehard fan of the animated movie Cars, which featured a "shy" fire truck just like this one called "Red."  

I wonder the fate of Brookhaven's own version of "Red."  Anyone know?

Update: I'm told that third from left is Paul Sartin.