Roberts Street House

When dad came home having been discharged from the US Army Air Corps after the end of World War II, Mom and Dad lived in a house at 1530 Roberts Street. Edith’s parents Arbie Luther Barrett and Elnora Brown Barrett rented the house.

Roberts Street House photographed in 2007. Really updated from what I remember from the late 40’s.

Because of the postwar housing shortage my mom and dad lived with the Barretts along with my mom’s sister, Helen Faye Barrett Thomas, and Helen’s husband Gordon Evan Thomas. The house had three bedrooms, one for each family, a dining room, living room and kitchen. I bet it had only one bathroom, but do not remember much in that regard. Houses with two bathrooms in that era were considered mansions.

This is the park across from the Roberts Street House (circa 2007). That marvelous play rig certainly was not there during my childhood. All I can remember was some swings and chinning bars.

In the summer a guy with a movie screen and a projector in the back of a pickup truck would show up and show movies in the park. I have no idea whether we paid him or if this was a service of the park department.

Linda Thomas, my cousin, who was nine months younger than me was my growing up companion in this house. This is probably why I feel Linda is more like a sister than a cousin.

Gordon and Helen were married on 18 March, 1946 (the day after St. Patrick’s Day). They took a train to Florida for their honeymoon. When I was born 7 days later there was a phone call from Beaumont to Florida where the birth of the king was announced.

Linda was born on 28 December 1946 - just about 9 months after the honeymoon!