Pris, I have been known all of my adult life as Andy
Jackson, however, in my very happy youth as a native of El Dorado, I was
known by my name as Estiel Jackson. I had been searching the for my
ancestors online and noticed your site. I can't tell you how elated I
was to see that good ol' Statue on the corner of the court house. Ha!
Home sweet home !! - I am proud to say that I was a very early member of
the "Statue Gang". Of course the word "Gang" didn't mean the same thing
as it does today. I suppose, there has always been a SG, I'm not sure.
When I was very young being pulled along by Mom to all
the stores on the square, there were old men (to me anyway) setting,
squirting tobacco juice through cigar smoke in every direction. The
women and children had to stay on the outside perimeter of the square to
avoid the spattering and splashing. The entire corner looked like the
sidewalks had been bronzed to enhance the bright white statues
appearance . But, never a speck or spot on the magnificent shrine!! By
the time I was 12 or 13 years old, someone decided, ok, enough bronze on
the sidewalk (it was approaching the center of the street in a large 3/4
pie shape), The old guys had to move it on down S Washington. Then the
young guys near draft age started hanging out there, what a bunch, they
owned El Do town. Some spent there last evening there before leaving to
serve our country, some never returned. Those that were left, soon grew
tired of the fresh air and moved their activities to the Olympic Pool
Hall. By that time my friends and I were in high school, and claimed the
Statue as our own. A perfect headquarters for such a group of
magnificent young men! The girls were learning to drive and loved to
buzz the square, yeah ! And if they dared, you might get a ride to the
Pig Stand for fries and coke. But usually their folks didn't give them
that much rope (and we didn't have that much money) or free time. So, we
took someones socks and tied them in a knot and played football on the
courthouse lawn.
Each evening, around 9:30pm the beat cop ( usually,
Morgan, or Brewster, -"SG" alumni) would come by and check on us and
pass the time a few minutes. Then the real reason for being a gang
member arrived !!! - we went to the Black Cat on the corner (across from
Rexall) for the very best hot steak sandwich in the universe, .35 cents
all the time. Ooooh Lordy it was good. If it was Friday or Saturday and
heaven forbid, we did not have dates (often), we would return to
the shrine and whistle at the girls 'til near midnight at which time we
walked home, we always walked home, no one had a car! Ha. - But we
thought nothing of walking from home (near the Lion Refinery) to Norris
Park to go swimming and back.
Anyway, I wanted to thank you for the pictures of the 'ol
Statue and let you know that it has a lot more importance than just a
CSA memorial. A lot of very important decisions were made in that place.
We talked each other into all sorts of things, joining the guard, which
branch of service to join, who to date, who to marry'. I entertained
comrades all over the world with stories from that Statue, they never
tired of it and neither did I. Life was good in My El Dorado home. I
wish it had stayed like that all over the world. I wish it could be that
way again ----- Actually there was no gang, just groups of friends
meeting to pass the time. Usually after the TAC House closed. ----
Thanks for the memories -- Ajac,
ajac11@msn.com
