Saturday Excursions with My Dad - part one

Beginning about 1937, on Saturday mornings I wanted to go with Dad when he pulled out his car keys.  Many times I got my wish.  After breakfast we would take off on his errands. Usually, he would make his rounds by the hospitals before heading down town.  That meant stops at the Hillcrest Memorial Hospital and St. John's Hospital.  Sometimes we would also visit the VA hospital.

  Hillcrest Memorial Hospital - about 1930

St. John's Hosptial - about 1930

Children were not allowed in hospitals as visitors.  I would stay in the car and play with my toys or color in my books.

Afterwards, we would continue downtown to the Medical Arts Building where Dad had an office.  I was fascinated by the mail chute which was a glass chute with brass fittings and located between the two elevators.  You could drop a letter in the slot and it would free fall to the brass postal box on the main floor where the postman would collect the letters to send them on their way.  Many times I would mail the letter and try to beat it to the drop box by using the elevator. I was never successful.

After Dad checked his office we would venture down to the coffee shop on the first floor which was great with me.  I am allowed to sit at the counter very close to the Soda Bar.  There I can watch the preparation for a "real" Cherry Coke using the coca-cola syrup, the soda water, and real cherry syrup.  Then, it is topped off with a large maraschino cherry and a spoonful of whipped sweet cream.  This drink is far better than anything in a glass bottle.  Sometimes, I would get a piece of whole wheat toast to go with it.

The owners of the coffee shop are Stan & Ida Snodgrass.  We would visit with them and catch up on their family news.  Dad would move to other tables to visit with all of his friends.  After a couple of cigarettes, we were on our way for the rest of our tour.

Note:  the postcards are copied from
http://www.familyoldphotos.com/5c/OKcoll/tulsa.htm