Did You Hear About My Small Hometown?

Archie Brown grew up in a small town in South Texas, called Lake Jackson. That name came from the lake that had been dug by the slaves on the sugar plantation owned by Abner Jackson, brother of Andrew Jackson.

Almost everything in Lake Jackson was within walking distance from everything else. Residents walked to school and to the movies and to the woods or the Little League Park, which was the center of civic activity in the summer months.

Archie and his buddies, Wayne and Larry, lived a carefree life and did almost everything together. Archie’s dad came to think that MeWayneandLarry was one word, as in “MeWayneandLarry are going to the drug store for a coke.” Or “MeWayneandLarry are going to fish at Lost Lake.”

Fashion was never an issue for Archie; he wore Levi’s, tee shirts and Keds most of the time, unless he was going to church. Then he wore a suit and tie and a pair of penny loafers. Archie’s dad had been a sailor and had no use for duck-tail haircuts, so Arch wore a crew cut most of the time.

Before their twelfth birthday, Archie and his pals could get into the Lake Theater for twenty cents. From his quarter allowance that left a nickel for popcorn or a candy bar. Most of the time he got a roll of LifeSavers because they lasted longer. Archie liked the Wild Cherry ones best.

When someone turned twelve, the price of a ticket to the picture show went up to fifty cents. Archie solved the problem of the price increase by getting a job at the theater. Not only did he earn some pin money, but he also got into the movies free when he was not working! Pretty nifty, huh?!

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