Looking Back: Photos on File

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society    
 

     Over the next few weeks I thought I might share some old photographs with you. Unfortunately, we do not have a great variety of people because most of the photographs have been shared by only a few individuals. Each week I will tell you about the person(s) who gifted the photo to the historical society and what I know about the people in the photo. If you know more about anyone in these photos PLEASE share it with us!
     This week I am sharing a photo from Karen Carmack, the great-granddaughter of Edward Williams, the granddaughter of Laura (McQuerry) and Otis Williams, and the daughter of Peggy (Williams) & Dale Carmack. The photograph, taken in 1939, is believed to be the Glee Club.
     I was attracted to the picture because of the matching dresses, but mostly because of the shoes and socks.  I learned that nylon stockings made their grand debut in a splashy display at the 1939 World's Fair in New York. They were not released for sale to the public until May 15, 1940. During this post-depression, pre-WWI period silk stocking were far too expensive and probably difficult to find! Thus, we have socks!
     While I do not recognize everyone in the photograph, I will point out those I do know. According to the 1939 yearbook, the music teacher is Mrs. Raymond Scott.   Row one: Norma Jean Williams (aunt of Karen Carmack who gave the photo to the historical society) is the first student and next to her is Eugenia Williamson. 
     The fifth girl in the front row is Benola Tate, followed by  Sue (Caldwell) McBroom, Elouise (Stumpp) Shrout and Earlene (Tate) Mueller.  In the second row, I believe the fourth girl is Dorothy Savage followed by Susie Reeder.
     As far as the men, the third row starts with Herbert Sebolt. The third  boys is Norman McBroom, followed by Robert Wolfe.  On the back row I recognize the second and third boys as Jack Mueller and Keith Shrout. 
     Others appear in our copies of the 1940 and 1942 yearbooks but I hesitate to assign names, as I would be guessing. If you recognize anyone in the photo, we would love to have their name.  If you wish to know more about any of the individuals I have named, drop by the Historical Society any Wednesday and I will be happy to tell you “the rest of the story!”
 
     Visit the Grain Valley Historical Society at 506 S. Main on Wednesdays from 10am—3pm and Saturdays from 11am—3pm, or online at www.grainvalleyhistory.com.