The Storms of Jan - Feb 1969

Recent heavy rain makes me think about other historical storms here in San Jose. I remember the big storm at the beginning of 1969. I had recently rented a house on Lencar Way … the landlord gave me free first month rent if I would plant the backyard with grass. I said “sure.” Got it rototilled, amended the soil and spread the seed. Then the storm hit! Ruined everything I did as the whole backyard became a swamp … water turning the beautiful soil into eight inches of mud. Seed washed away, buried under mud or pooled into the puddles that dotted the surface of the soil.

Shirlie was already an established photojournalist by this time … and other than photographing wrestlers, her favorite assignments were disasters. Like car crashes, big fires, murders, strikes and, in this case, flooding in downtown San Jose.

The rainy season of 1968-69 poured an average of 27 inches of rain over the state. A series of powerful storms in January and February of 1969 resulted in widespread flooding across California, resulting in at least 60 deaths, according to one federal report. Forty California counties were declared disaster areas during that series of storms that also contributed $300 million in economic losses. Here’s a couple of storm photos that Shirlie took for the San Jose Mercury … with deep watery streams where roads are supposed to be.

Flooding on East Santa Clara Street. The Foursquare Church in the background has a sign: "Moved to 1470 McKinley Avenue" a move they made in the beginning of January 1969.

Flooding in front of the Williams Funeral Chapel on Santa Clara Street between at Seventh and Eighth Streets.

Happy Valentine's Day Shirlie Bug

In amongst other cards and stuff from Shirlie, I found this homemade, handmade Valentine card from Kenny. Thought I'd share it.

For Shierley Bug

God I’m glad yer my chum

Cause you are a little plum

But listen here ole pal of mine

Won’t you be my Valentine?!

Tee Hee!!

Maybe you would rather be

A Valentine to Dear S.C.

But I fergot – Tsk Tsk, Dear, Dear

You were their Valentine last year

Or if I were a little Kanakee

I’d take you to my grass shackie

Then let it rain or let it pour

But we could take a little detour!

But I’ve Thot ‘n Thot real hard

And remembered about a cute life guard

So I guess you’d rather be

A Valentine to Kenny – Whee!!

So There!!!

Santa Clara University Footall Programs 1930s

Back in the late-1930s and again in the late-1940s, Santa Clara University had great football teams. Tops in the nation. Went to post-season bowl games, at a time when that meant something, not like today. Here are a couple of programs from that era. (These came out of Shirlie's collection.)

For a lot of facts & fun stuff about SCU football through the years, check out History of Santa Clara University Football

San Jose State College Football 1937

Shirlie had this awesome scrapbook of photos she rescued from the San Jose News morgue ... all of college kids and sports from 1937-1938. She just could not see these great photos going into the trash. These are some that depict San Jose State College (later to become San Jose State University) football. Three are from the 1937 Thanksgiving Day game where the Spartans hosted the San Diego State College Aztecs. (SDS won 7-6) The other two are from 1938 showing some off the field activities of a few ball players and in 1937 greeting the gridders from Willamette, Oregon.