American Legion School Award

Shirlie was an avid reader, a pretty darn good writer (having won the San Jose Mercury youth writing contest several times) and active in extracurricular programs at school. For all the years that I knew her, she had this large medallion on an easel in her display case, along with a photo of her grandmother and her cherished Mexican animal knick-knacks.

The medallion is the American Legion School Award. She got this award when graduating from the eight grade in 1932. It was awarded by the American Legion to students who not only demonstrated scholastic excellence, but also community and patriotic fervor. Awarded to the boy or girl "who best represents those qualities of character and ability, which we believe, when properly cultivated and matured, will result in worthy citizenship and well rounded manhood and womanhood."

This particular medal was designed by R. Tait McKenzie in 1925 and made by Medallic Art Co. of New York. This design was presented to girl awardees until 1951 when the design was changed. There was a different design for boys and a smaller medal attached to a ribbon as well. 

According to a 1937 brochure on the School Award program the following short address was used in the declaration of the girl receiving the girl’s medal:

Little lady, in giving you The American Legion School Award, we are conferring upon you an honor which should never be entrusted to anyone but that of the noblest character, highest ideals and the most tender sympathy. The soldiers who fought for you during the World War believe that your mind and soul are of a quality to realize the responsibility that you have in always living and acting by those rules of conduct, and the faith in the goodness of God, which make a good woman earth’s highest treasure, and man‘s noblest inspiration. We want you to ever bear in mind that the country can never rise higher than the soul of its womanhood. We want you to know that we have complete faith in the majesty of your mind, and the goodness of your heart. And now and ever, may the strong love of God Almighty abide within your bosom, and, like an armed band of invincible and immortal warriors, guard and guide your soul.

 

Celebrities Arrive at SFO Aboard a DC-7

Shirlie was called upon to take all kinds of publicity photos. While she just loved taking sports action shots, especially of wrestlers, and was a consistent contributor to the newspapers in the Bay Area, it was publicity photos that paid the bills.

This photo is of a group of Hollywood celebs just after deplaning from a Douglas DC-7. The DC-7 is an American transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1953 to 1958. This photo looks to be from the late-1950s and is probably at San Francisco Airport, as the San Jose Airport was primarily a small general aviation facility until 1965. United Airlines did not fly out of San Jose until 1967.

Don't you just love how they were dressed? These were the days when you dressed up to fly. It was like going to the City. Wish it were still that way today! The suits, dresses, coats and hats are true fashion statements of the era.

Celebrities Arriving at SFO Aboard a DC-7 (Shirlie Montgomery photo, restored by Joe Holt)

I wish I could recognize any of the celebrities in this photo, but I can't ... I don't know the '50s Hollywood stars well enough. If you can, please comment below.

Check these sites for more information and photos of the DC-7 and a history of San Jose Airport.

Dough Girls at the Germania Masquerade Ball 1938

Shirlie Montgomery and Harriette Moulton (Saunders) were bosom buddies from an early age. We see her in so many of Shirlie's early photo albums ... on the beach, with the boys, at the dance. This party was the second annual Germania Masquerade Ball held at the San Jose Civic Auditorium. It was Feb 6th, 1938, and the girls were both 19 years old. Shirlie and Harriette dressed up as the Dough Girls! Even these "crazy" dough girls disguises could not hide the attractiveness of this duo.

(L) Harriette • (C) Gov. Merriam • (R) Shirlie

The Mercury Herald referred to them as the "Beauty and the Beast." The "Beast" was then Governor of California, Frank Merriam! Pretty good company, I would say, as he was the guest of honor at the ball. Shirlie remembered the party well. She told me that they really had a good time that night.

She wrote about it in her diary:

Dear Diary --
The week has been full of thrilling things, and here I am just writing about them now! … Saturday was the big German Brawl – whoops – I mean Ball. Some fun! Larry Stringari was there, also hundreds of others. I had so much fun! 

This photograph is from the Mercury Herald archives. Shirlie rescued it from the "morgue" when she was first working there, along with a bunch of other photos of Santa Clara University and San Jose State College sports and entertainment events. Those photos are now in the SCU archives.

 

Submitted by Bob Bortfeld

Shirlie Remembered

Remembrances of Shirlie from her Friends (from the Legacy site Guest Book):

November 16, 2012

Shirlie was a Great photographer and she touched a lot of people with her photography! Shirlie was the 1st woman photographer in the early years of the wrestling world. She was a good friend of the Glen D. Neece family in San Jose. Shirlie thank you for all your beautiful photographs! We miss YOU!

Shirley Neece, Antioch, California

November 17, 2012

Shirlie was the matriarch of our street, every evening sitting on her front porch imbibing in a cocktail or two, conversing with anyone that struck her fancy. She was a San Jose treasure. The stories she could tell! She will be missed.

Joe, California

November 18, 2012

Shirlie was a friend of mine. It started out in 1960 when my mother, a news reporter, had Shirlie do a formal portrait in her studio of me. Shirlie was a powerful woman when women had to be powerful to succeed at any work career. I sure miss talking with you Shirlie.

Kirk McClelland, San Jose, California

Happy Holiday from Shirlie

If you were one of Shirlie's friends back in the fifties, you might have received one of these Holiday postcards from her.

This double good card is from 1950

While undated, I think this is from the late 1950s

Submitted by Bob Bortfeld

Taxi Number 88

While Shirlie lived by taking photos of celebrities and disasters, along with portraits and corporate promos, she took pictures of just about anything that fascinated her. Like this taxi cab. Mission Taxi Co. of San Jose was around in the 1950s, just like this picture. Joe Holt resurrected this from an old negative.

To Quote Joe: This fella might have been the only cab driver in town but I doubt it.  Cab number 88. (Shirlie Montgomery)

Submitted by Bob Bortfeld & Joe Holt

Shirlie in Santa Cruz 1939

Shirlie loved Santa Cruz ... loved the beach, loved the "hunks" and loved getting her picture taken in a bathing suit. These photos (pictures, she liked to call them) are from a 1939 album of Shirlie's. It starts at the 1939 World's Fair on Treasure Island and goes on to a lot of fun things she did that year. I focused here on Santa Cruz.

One thing I learned from seeing Shirlie's albums was that she was not just a photographer, but an artist! Take a look at some of her illustrations and graphic layout in these pages. Pretty neat!

Great sources for old photographs and historical information about Santa Clara Valley are the websites The Valley of Heart's Delight and The Society of California Pioneers of Santa Clara County.

I found this great video titled Trips to Santa Cruz, 1937 and 1938 on the Pioneer website. 

Submitted by Bob Bortfeld