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We can’t make time stand still. Progress, whether good or bad, always happens. But let me tell you of a time when, even though time didn’t stand still, it did give a large plot of land called “The 88 Acres” at least a reprieve from progress for four years.
If you take a look at a map of Warren you will see in the northeast quadrant what is roughly a rectangle described by Atlantic Street on the north, Genesee Avenue on the east, Woodland Street on the south, and Laird Avenue on the west. That rectangle encloses about 88 acres of real estate.
At the end of 1940, my family moved into our new home on Genesee next to the stand pipe (water tower). The Great Depression was just about over, and there was a mild resurgence of home building that saw some new homes being built along Genesee. But then World War II began a year later, and home building came to a halt.
Behind our new home was that vast, nearly pristine 88 acres of land. The only building that existed there at that time was the gambrel-roofed riding stable located at the southwest corner, right about where Bonnie Brae now enters from Woodland. Riding horses could be rented by the hour.
There was a carefully laid-out bridle path that ran just inside the perimeter of the acreage. On the eastern end was an oval track, about a quarter mile around, and that perimeter path was bisected by another path running east and west that went through a majestic oak grove.
All that undeveloped land was a great place for kids to play. There was no cleared space for games like football and baseball, but it lent itself to such things as ambushing the “enemy.” Kids dug trenches and foxholes everywhere so they could play war. An ice-skating pond was located just about dead center.
Blackberries, elderberries and wild strawberries grew in great abundance. In a few hours a couple of adults could pick enough blackberries to “put up” or can them in Mason jars with paraffin sealing them up. One session of canning was enough for several families for a whole year.
Within that oak grove and in the open fields was a thick sod, made up of a curled, cushioning grass – almost like the excelsior used in packing. It was comfortable to sit or lie down upon even after a rain. A family picnic in the grove was fun and exciting. Knee-high (to an 8 year old) grasses grew in some of the open fields. These soft, gentle wisps caressed the legs of a short-panted kid walking through.
After four years of enjoying this beautiful mostly untouched acreage, the war finally came to an end. A local contractor approached my parents with an offer to sell them some parcels of that land behind our house. I didn’t understand the impact that some of these real estate offerings and speculations would have on “The 88 Acres.”
Then it happened. In the spring of 1946 I heard the deep, heavy sound of a road grader rumbling along behind our house. Then came bulldozers and power shovels. All that noise, bulldozing, and digging was fascinating at first. We kids turned out in droves to observe all this activity.
Then it dawned on us. The reprieve was over. Our 88 acres was being developed into streets and roads, soon to be followed by brand-new homes. Surprisingly, Sunset Drive, Oak Knoll Avenue, Westview Drive and Bonnie Brae Avenue, followed the layout of those now-gone bridle paths.
All these new homes were beautiful and the site planning was well-thought out. What was once the 88 acres became a high-quality residential area for Warren. Very few would have front porches.
I still would prefer to walk along the bridle paths of those bygone days rather than today’s sidewalks. I’d just have to watch where I step.
Mumford, of Warren, is a community columnist. Email him at columns@tribtoday.com