About Searcy's Old Searcy Arkansas

We are thankful for living in a free country. July 4th, 1776 was a great day.

But there's another close-by birthday that I'm very thankful for. It's the 37th birthday of Title IX. What's Title IX? Younger people may not even think about Title IX but I remember it so vividly.

Imagine having a 13 year old daughter who is exceedingly bright, energetic, with nothing to do!

That's the way it was. There were NO sports for girls in Searcy Arkansas and no organized games for girls in the schools or the community. Boys had plenty to do. In the school system there were organizations like the Key Club which allowed boys only! And this unfair situation existed all over the country.

Title IX, when passed by the Nixon administration, required all educational institutions that received federal funds to treat men and women equally. That meant the schools were going to have to add something for girls. Boy's basketball team? Add a girl's basketball team. Football? (Well, that's probably where the law has never been fulfilled but things are at least better.) Track? Add a girl's track team.

That blasted all boy's social club that was operating inside the high school was within a year or two (almost over the sponsor's dead body) of being integrated with the first girls.

Searcy Arkansas took note also and formed a committee (I was on it because of my loud-mouthed protests of needing something for girls) to hire a recreational director with one of his first duties to be forming a softball team for girls to somewhat equal the opportunities that boys already had.

In the schools they started a tennis team for girls and my daughter joined it, excelled and still plays tennis to this day. She played softball. She joined every athletic activity that was available for girls in the city and in the school system and I firmly believe that all of the activities helped keep her busy in a wholesome way that made her a better individual.

So when we come to things we are thankful for and if you have a daughter you'd better put this on your list! Title IX!!!! Happy Birthday.

Wouldn't it be interesting to know how many photographs were taken beside the family car? It's the same now.

We have a long-running love affair with our cars. It's no wonder. Cars were more controllable than horses!

This picture was found in our Duncan family archives. I hope someone in Searcyland can tell me who they are. The house is neat, too, with a chimney, front porch, and double-hung windows. As a child I can remember climbing under the houses and playing where it was cool and dirty. Note this house, as lots of houses were, is on a foundation but is not enclosed so entry was easy.

I guess my mother never made me afraid or acquainted with Black Widow spiders or poisonous snakes!

This old post card shows the Roseann Motel and Restaurant on Hwy 67 East. It boasted 20 bedrooms, electrically heated - air conditioned - tile baths - carpeted floors - king-size Beautyrest mattresses - phone in each room - morning coffee served guests free. Phone 1575. It also had a swimming pool but the card didn't mention that and it may have come later.

The sign had the AAA rating on it.

It is still standing. I took pictures the other day as I drove by. It is for sale along with 16 prime acres according to the sign in the front. A few changes have been made but it is still named the Roseann and it still has rooms for rent.

The sign is still up with very few changes.

These pictures were taken on our main drag, Race Street in Searcy Arkansas, and show the detail on a house built in 1925! It's still standing and has magnificent detail for a home that would be considered modest in size today. I especially like the detail around the windows and soffitts. What craftsperson could do this detail today????

The way Race Street is expanding with commercial properties taking away the old family homes, I'll drive by one day and it will be zapped.....gone....so these pictures may someday be precious.

And while I was snapping pictures, I discovered this chimney! Guess who says he has just become a chimney sweep? Nutsy Wallenda, the certifried home inspector from Washington.

Now Nutsy is prone to exaggerate so he may be nothing more than a chimney climber. In that case, I've found a perfect play place for him! Nutsy, here's a chimney for you!!

I had this photo loaned to me. It shows three handsome guys standing in the front entry to this unique rock and brick house. You have to look at the rock and brick carefully and try to figure out how it was done. Did they cut the rock to fit around the brick? It must be hard to cut a rock. Searcy Arkansas and White County has a multitude of this style house. The rock mason must have been very popular.

But I ramble.....I didn't know where the house was that was behind the three handsome guys. Today I found it! So you can see how it is still the same! Now we just need to know who the three handsome guys are and whether they are still standing! Searcy readers may be able to tell "the rest of the story."