Searcy, AR

What a treat to put up this old picture. These two ladies worked at a bank in Searcy Arkansas and there was a contest to name the bank. Reportedly the one on the right won the contest with the name Security Bank. This lady also is the mother of Anita, who comments on my blogs and gives us additional information about our city.

First Security Bank, as it is now named, stretches out over the whole city block but they are restoring this old building to resemble the way it was originally. I love this picture and it was sent to me by Don and Paula. So look at this old picture, probably from the 40's, and compare it to the way it is being restored.

And, ladies only, look at the legs. The legs appear to be housed in cotton stockings. They probably sagged and that's why the ladies fell heart and soul in love with nylon hose when they came along!

Comparing the old with the new in Searcy AR, White County, is interesting. Here's another shot of yesteryear vs. today.

In the old photo, the old Security Bank is on the left and the building in the background is Lee Biggs old office building. It still is, as a matter-of-fact. But the upstairs has changed. It has become private living quarters for a Searcy couple who also has a home in Little Rock and Aspen and no telling where else!

Living upstairs in downtown Searcy may become very fashionable as more of the old buildings are renovated.

Some of you have said you like my old photos and I'm glad. Some have said to give us the present to compare with the old. I am doing that today. First Security Bank used to look like the picture below. It was added on and covered over many times during the years. Now it is being restored to some of its former majesty. It's on the court square and the first picture is courtesy of Paula, who took it as a photography project for the Girl Scouts in the 40's.

I like the way it is looking.

Years ago the ice-man came to your house. He'd have blocks of ice on a wagon or some vehicle and he'd lift those blocks into your refrigerator (ice box) which had a place for ice storage. You could buy probably 25, 50 or 100 lb. chunks. (Correct me if I'm wrong, Anita or Don.)

Here'a a picture of the ice plant taken by Paula for a Girl Scout's project in photography. It's the place where the ice was frozen. What there was for coal I don't know. I never remember anyone delivering coal to anyone in the South but that's probably because I only knew wood-burning fireplaces.

The ice plant was located on Woodruff Street at the back side of Spring Park. It is gone now.

Last year I had communication from someone who wanted to move from Baltimore to the country. They decided to look at Searcy after doing extensive searches on the internet.

First trip they just looked around and went back to place their house on the market.

Then they came back with the intent to buy! Lucky me! We found them a house in a beautiful part of the country with a basement!! We don't have basements in this area. Only foolish people build houses with basements in the south. And this house with a basement wouldn't sell because it had a basement. Southerners know better.

They knew and loved basements so it was just waiting for them. They bought it, left Baltimore and settled in our area. They still come to see me. He calls me Mom and she and I go out to eat and catch up.

They stopped by a few days ago to show me their newest toy. For some reason "cats" came to mind to describe these two fun people riding around on a fun contraption. Say hello to my friends, Cowboy and Nancy!