Repost: 30 Years at 2646 N. 20th Avenue

A Short History of a Family on the West Side of Phoenix

by Frederick L. Crandall

2010

This is a note to Lel, Drucie, Russ, and Tom about our roots.  We all are affected, inspired, and taught the lessons of life by the people we know best, our own family.  But what about the stage upon which we acted out our family drama, those hallowed walls that kept out the weather?  Shouldn't that house be remembered also?  Within the confines of "2646" we arrived from Santa Fe, New Mexico, a young family to first learn and remember our first trial of life, duties, privileges, and revelations.  Under that roof came friends, family, new loved ones, and eventually grandchildren to hear mother's jokes and witty stories and to taste Dad's hamburgers and "chili" beans on Saturday nights. 

I remember a lot of painting, mowing lawns, vacuuming, picking up and evicting careless coachroaches from Claire's room who happened to be discovered.  Across those rooms and floors were birthdays and sad events, laughing and some consternation.  Tom relayed to me last year that he still awakes at night remembering every wall, door and detail as he walked thru that old house in his memory.  It had some very unique details and spaces not to mention a very prominent place in the development of the neighborhood and wards in which we lived.  It was close to West High and Heard School, the Encanto Golf Course, Fairgrounds, and other memorable Phoenix landmarks. 

The "Boom" days of the growing Phoenix area are now gone but the house is still there.  I drove by it every year for many years searching for the familiar facade with one house on each side making up the short block.  From 1955 until it was sold in 1986, the Crandalls made an impression on those around them.  The Huffs, Klecks, Andersons, and others in the neighborhood still remember and can point wihout hesitation to where the Crandalls lived.  So come with me for a moment and add your memories to mine as we review the "Life at 2646 North 20th Avenue".

-Frederick Crandall

Lella shares: "The boys room eventually became a girls room.  I was alone in the room from June '59 to when I married in January 1961.  I don't have the same memories the boys have of the house because I moved out to live on campus at ASU from Fall of '57 to June of '59.  Drucie and Clare were together and then eventually it was Calre and one of the Indian girls.  After I got married, I dont remember the exact usage of the "boys room", but Drucie will remember."

The Living Room or "Crandall Lounge" circa late 1970's.  Lella says,"Note the Hammond organ on thel eft and Rick's mural on the entry wall.  Most people don't allow their kids to draw on the wall, but our folks did!!"

Evidence of Post Danish/Europe trip on the left wall.  The famous picture wall on the right.  The top of the special green arm chair used for lounging in creative positions.

The wood fence was installed along the concrete drive.  1965 Plymouth looks just like the one I (Rick) drove in the mission field.

Note the wicker chair near the phone position.  Jewel, Clarence, Russ, and Robert Wood.  Mid 1970's.  Lella adds,"Note the flying ducks on the wall over Dad's head.  S&H Green Stamps!!  And Mom is talking on our new princess phone with the long cord so we no longer have to sit in the chair provided but can take it anywhere in the house now."

Note the throw rugs and striped couches of the 80's era.  Best guess on names is:  Joyce, Charisse, and Anitra on the couch (left), Sandy, Russ, and Tom in the back.  Cory and Robert Wood on the floor.  I spy someone's sock behind the couch.

Sundays found us watching Disney's "Wonderful World of Color", Zorro, Mickey Mouse Club, etc.  Best guess on names:  Russ bottom right corner; Glenn, Patti, Kevin, Dale, Eric, Laurel seated on the floor; Elizabeth in the green arm chair with Karen leaning over her.

1970:  Dad always checked the fluids, the tire pressure and washed the windshield.  You could always count on him checking the condition of your vehicle.  Marilyn Tsosie is Assistant Car Inspector.

Karen, Elizabeth and Cassandra Pomeroy.  Hudson McEuen on the floor.  (Linda Crandall McEuen and her son Hudson lived with Ben and Lella on Virginia Ave in their garage apartment for several years.)

St. Joseph's Hospital in the 1950's.

Uptown Plaza in the 1950's.

Rodeo Parade, looking north on Central, c.1954

Looking north over Central Avenue, circa 1961: the recently built Guaranty Bank Building (GB) was the city's tallest at the time. The intersection of Central and Osborn is in the lower left corner.