A 17-page pamphlet from 1954 titled, “The Johnson City Tennessee Recreation Story – ‘A Story of Community Teamwork,’” owned by Harrison “Frosty” Stout, was shared with me through Larry Ledford and Alan Bridwell.

The city’s recreation story can be traced to a City Basketball League game in 1947 at an unidentified location matching Leon Ferenbach and Gloria Rayon. Ferenbach superintendent, J.J. Jilton commented to someone, “This is a great game. It’s too bad it has to be played in this cracker box.” The location was not specified.

That causal statement was taken as a challenge to Recreation Director Howard Johnson who replied to Jilton, “Are you willing to help build a better place?” The same query was put to Bill Jenkins, coach and manager of the Gloria Rayon team, and other participants of the league. Several men met on January 12, 1947 for the purpose of forming a club for people interested in building a community recreation center for the city. 

Charter members were J.M. Carter (president), Robert F. Smith (vice-president), Howard Johnson (secretary-treasurer), Ted Jilton, Roy Feathers, Lawrence Owens, William Whittimore, Kent Neufer, J.J. Jilton, Eric Herrin, Mrs. and Mrs. Jimmy Smyth, Edna Frances, J.R. Jilton, Sells Blevins, Sam Cooper, William Jenkins, Bill Billings, Kathleen Goodin, Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Cowell, Nelson Burris, Roy Well, Joe Walker, Ted Burton and Nathan Thorp.

The group approved a 3-phase campaign to raise funds for the construction of a new sports facility: selling memberships in a recreation club; sponsoring athletic events, carnivals and other money-raising activities; and soliciting financial contributions.

On January 28, 1947, the organizers met with the Park and Recreation Board (C. Howard McCorkle, chairman; P.W. Alexander; W.J. “Dub” Smith; Mrs. H.C. Black; and M.U. Snodderly) and received a “thumbs up” for the club. 

Phase 1 began by netting $5,190.92 from 919 memberships, several sizable donations and numerous contributions resulting in part from the promotional efforts of Jimmy Smyth of the Johnson City Press-Chronicle and Eddie Cowell, host of  WJHL radio’s “Sports Parade.”

Phase 2 was launched with a dance by noted bandleader Tony Pastor and his group on Friday, March 28, 1947. During that gathering, the Junior Chamber of Commerce raffled off an automobile. Unfortunately, attendance was sparse due to a record snowfall and cold temperatures. The club also held a “Buy-A-Brick for One Dollar” campaign and awarded an automobile at a 4-Star Motorcycle Race at Memorial Stadium on July 5, 1947. This and several other fundraisers increased the fund total to $6,336.47.

When the endowment reached $15,000, the club decided to break ground for the new building. The plan, drawn up by Bob Woods, called for a 160’ by 80’ building on Legion Street. The Park and Recreation Board maintenance crew, headed by Dewey Stout and supervised by Howard Jenkins, commenced construction work on July 8, 1948. 

Footings were poured for the walls and afterward Southern Welding Company erected structural steel. General Shale Corporation graciously donated 10,000 cinderblocks and several suppliers of materials offered substantial discounts. The walls went up block-by-block and work proceeded on installing the roof until funds were exhausted, bringing a momentary pause to the project.

To the rescue came the Junior Service Auxiliary (Mrs. William G. Preas, general chairperson), donating funds from their September 28-29, 1949 “First Annual Johnson City Horse Show.” This effort added $2,663.49 into the fund allowing work to resume.

Phase 3 endeavors to solicit financial contributions to the building were not as promising, the main drawback being that three other significant money-raising efforts were occurring simultaneously in the city.

Fortunately, two organizations came forward – the National Federation of Employees (through the efforts of Vic Larmer and Charles Roller) and the Model Maniacs (Charles Hawkins and Caroline Muse). These two groups, along with former contributors of the Recreation Club, backed a highly successful Halloween Festival on Oct. 29-31, 1949, generating $991. About this time, City Commission approved a $10,000 loan for the recreation project.

With renewed funding, final work on the building proceeded with the pouring of a four-inch concrete floor, laying four by four creosote boards as sub-flooring and installing 16,000 square feet of hardwood flooring attached with 1000 pounds of nails. After completion, Allen Harris, Jr., a prominent local flooring businessman, commented, “I think this is one of the most beautiful floors I have ever seen.”

The long-awaited Recreation Building opened to the public on January 5, 1950, appropriately featuring a basketball game by the City Basketball League. The town no longer had to play the game in a “cracker box.” In early 1952, the balconies to the building were completed bringing total floor space to 24,000 square feet. Early1953 saw a modern entrance to the building along with a skate room, the installation of 2,000 seats, glass backboards and steel steps.

Over time, the city’s other playgrounds were improved and collectively began offering a variety of programs (sandbox, tennis, swimming, square dancing, roller-skating and baseball), each under the supervision of two or more trained leaders.

Special weeks were featured that focused on an activity such as “Tournament Week” (competition in paddle tennis, aerial tennis, horseshoes, checkers, croquet and others), “Fair Week” (displays of outstanding arts and crafts and hobby creations), “Sportsmanship Week” (special recognition to those who display good sportsmanship in games and contests), “’Citizenship Week” (special recognition of those who made the park more attractive and interesting) and others.

Various events were three-legged races, sack races, dashes, broad jumps, softball throw, basketball goal shooting contests and bicycle derbies were also held. Spring and summer brought softball and baseball leagues (Pee Wee, Midgets, Little League, Pony, Junior and Twilight Softball Leagues at the various ball fields. Fall and winter activities featured boxing and bodybuilding programs for boys and men.

The recreation brochure concluded by revealing “A Typical Day on a city Park & Recreation Playground” that opened at 9 a.m. and closed at 10 p.m. The city had something of which to be proud. 

My recent article concerning a 1964 opening day program of Johnson City’s Little League Baseball sent to me by Doug Bernardi prompted a letter from Alf Taylor.

“Your recent article on the Johnson City Little League,” said Alf, ‘stirred some memories.’ I was involved in the early days in the formation and coaching of Little League baseball in Johnson City.

“I remember four teams and only one league the first year: Pet Dairy, Leon Ferenbach, Courtesy Motors and Hill-Summers Chevrolet. I coached Hill-Summers Styleliners. Coach Madison Brooks (former basketball coach at East Tennessee State University) coached the Pet Dairy Pets; Ben Pollack coached Leon Ferenbach.”

Taylor recalled playing games at Soldiers Home (later called Mountain Home and eventually the Veterans Administration). He indicated they rolled out and put a snow fence in the outfield and “stepped off”’ the bases.

According to Alf, “We had uniforms, which were pretty neat in those days since most of us had grown up playing ‘sand lot’ with ‘unies’ (uniforms). Parents of players were helpful back then and not critical of others. I was out of my league coaching against such fine athletes as Coach Madison Brooks and Coach Ben Pollack. Al Meade soon joined me in coaching and we had a great time.”

Taylor indicated that the most noteworthy things he remembered about the infant days of Little League were the individuals involved in the game: “John Gilligan umpired and he was great. Coach Brooks was not only a fine Christian example but also a fine athlete, as was Ben Pollack. During our first season, we ended up on top not because of my coaching ability but because we had Jimmy Edwards, a big left-handed pitcher.

“Some of the other players I remember on the Styleliners were Jimmy Conley, Bob Taylor and Larry Bain. Although Bain was only eight years old and so tiny his catcher’s equipment dragged the ground, he ‘caught’ Jimmy Edwards. Everyone else was afraid to ‘catch him’ because he threw so hard. The other teams were also fearful of Jimmy, which is why we won so many games.”

Alf recalled that sometimes after the team practiced in a muddy field, he hauled the players home sitting in the trunk of his car to keep them from tracking mud inside his vehicle. He said the boy’s parents did not seem to mind his doing that.

Alf gave honorable mention to several players that he referred to as “naturals”: “Ben Pollack came up with the Crigger brothers, Larry and Jerry. Those guys were born with a ball, bat and glove in their hands. They were not only good boys but so coachable and very disciplined. Coach Brooks had Johnnie Brooks, a natural athlete, and later on he acquired Wayne Miller and the Sanders brothers, Jim and Bob. Afterward, I coached Pat Wolfe who was the most perfect gentleman and a great athlete. His dad brought him from below Jonesborough to every game and practice.

“You article mentioned Wayne Burchfield. One day, while we were practicing out behind the power plant at ETSC (later ETSU), he showed up for practice. I picked up a glove and ball and invited Wayne to ‘throw a few’ with me.’ The first ball he threw nearly knocked me down. Wayne wasn’t as big as a peanut, but he threw the hardest I had ever seen for a little guy. He had one speed – fast and hard. I never made the mistake of ‘tossing’ with him again.”

Alf concluded his letter by hoping that other former Little League players and coaches would share their memories about the game as well. Please e-mail them to me and I will forward them to him. 

Doug Bernardi sent me a copy of his prized 1964 opening day program of Johnson City’s Little League Baseball. The publication celebrates the 14^thanniversary of the annual sporting event. Doug played on the First Peoples Bank squad between 1961 and 1965 and today manages the Optimist team.

The 42-page booklet is chocked full of detailed information including photos of 24 teams of young men, ages 9-12, assigned to three leagues – Major, National and American. There are also 11 pages of ads touting local commercial firms, most of which have long closed. One of the more salient features of the syllabus is a one-page history of the sport:

“Little League in Johnson City was organized in the spring of 1951. Red Skelton, director of recreation for the Red Shield Boys Club, visited the various civic clubs showing a film of the World Series of a pre-war year. The result of his effort was sponsors to form two four-team leagues – National and American.

“Play that first year was at Mountain Home Field. The program was so successful that a facility was built at Kiwanis Park the next year and lighted by the Kiwanis Club. In 1955, Little League Field on Legion Street was built and with the addition of that field, it was possible to add another league, making a total of 12 teams of 15 players on each roster.

“From that time until the present (1964), growing pains have been the biggest problem of the organization. The 1959 All Star Team won the state championship and gave a good account of themselves in the Southeastern Regional Playoffs in Florida.

“In 1961, Lions Field on Duke Street, one of the best lighted in the South, was dedicated and turned over to the Part and Recreation Board by the Lions Club. The three leagues – National, American and Major – expanded to eight teams each, playing a total of 360 boys.

“Since the records over the years have been lost, we mention only a few of the large number of boys that profited from the lessons learned playing Little League Baseball: John Brooks; the Campbell boys, Jack, Bill and Kenny; Dick Webb; Roy Chatman; Charlie Morris; Wayne Birchfield; Bill Jones; Tony Bowman; Larry Ketcham; and Robert Swisher.

“The League motto was ‘The Boys of Today Will Be Our Men of Tomorrow.’ Their pledge was ‘I trust in God; I love my country and will respect its laws. I will play fair and strive to win; But win or lose, I will always do my best.’”

The 1964 Little League opening day ceremonies were held at 4:00 p.m. followed by ball contests of Civitans vs. American Legion and Hamilton National Bank vs. Tri-State Container. All games that season from May through July were listed in the book. Day games were played at 6 p.m. and night ones two hours later.

Mitchell Thorpe served as the Master of Ceremonies and introduced Rev. Jesse Curtis for the Invocation. The Science Hill High School Color Guard under the direction of Master Sgt. Kenneth Hedrick presented Post Colors. Next, the Junior High School Band, under the leadership of Warren F. Weddle, performed the National Anthem. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Thorpe introduced Little League officials.

Calvin Frey then noted the league’s sponsors. Thorpe introduced guests and Frey followed by presenting Little League teams, managers and assistant managers. Board chairman, Bud Rutherford awarded pennants to the previous year’s league champions. The ceremonies concluded with the presentation of Miss Johnson City by the President of the Lions Club.

The sponsors and nicknames of the eight teams of the Major League (Harry Garner Range, President and Ralph Dunn, Player Agent) were American Legion – Legionnaires, General Shale – Little Generals, Ben’s Sport Shop – Clippers, Civitan Club – Boys Club, Lions Club – Cubs, Hamilton National Bank – Nationals, Summers-Taylor – Pavers and Tri-State Containers – Boxers.

The National League (Hal Littleford, President and Stan Welch, Player Agent) consisted of Wynwood Mills – Knitters, Interstate Foundry – Steelers, Junior Chamber of Commerce – Jaycees, Bolton Block Co. – Block Busters, ET&WNC – Truckers, Gordon’s, Inc. – Little Yankees, Pepsi-Cola – Sociables and Kiwanis Club – Indians.

The American League (E.J. Lewis, President and James Allen, Player Agent) was comprised of Giant Food Stores – Giants, Thorp & Co. – Scrappers, Optimist Club – Juniors, Pet Dairy – The Pets, First Peoples Bank – Bankers, Rotary Club – Rotary, Press-Chronicle – Pee-Wees and Elks Club – Elks.

The booklet thanked the editor, Mrs. John Tipton, for her many hours of work putting the brochure together.

Bernardi has fond memories of his Little League baseball playing days: “I remember I couldn't wait to get to the ballpark on game day. Back then you would play three rounds of seven games at three different ball fields. When I was 12, I had two younger brothers on the same First Peoples Bank team. My brother, Jim, played two years later on Jack Monroe’s all-star team that was beaten 2 to 1 in the state championship game. Carl Snyder, a bank vice-president, was the manager of the Bankers and Jeep Dye was his assistant.

“One memory took place at the Lions Field. Back then there were no screens to protect the seats on the 1st and 3rd sides of the field. David Taylor, our catcher, hit a rope foul and hit his mother, who was sitting in the 3rd base bleachers, causing her to fall over. I thought he had killed her, but after a few minutes she sat up and appeared to be okay. What are the odds of drilling your own mom with a line drive?”

Doug would like to hear from former Little League players. He also wants to know the names of 1959 All-Star team members who played in the Southeast Regional.  

Johnson City resident, Peggy Harvey Street, a member of the Harvey Family Singers, called the Press recently to remind readers that Paul Anderson, a former Elizabethton weightlifter, won a gold medal in the 1956 Olympic games held in Melbourne, Australia.

Paul was born on October 17, 1932 in Toccoa, Georgia. After winning a football scholarship to Furman University in 1950, he returned to his parents’ home in Elizabethton one year later with a strong desire to become a weightlifter.

Paul began developing innovative ways to lift weights and increase his strength. For example, he would squat all day every other day and on alternate days, work on the bench press. He placed objects in concrete to lift them and would sift through junkyards in search of heavy objects to use. 

In 1955, the muscleman broke two world records at the World Championships in Munich, Germany and became world champion in his weight class. Upon his return home, then vice-president, Richard Nixon, thanked him for being a goodwill ambassador for the United States.

In 1956, the 304-pound contender became an Olympic gold medal winner, beating Humberto Selvetti of Argentina. Although both men lifted the identical amount of weight, Paul won because he weighed less than his competitor. It was during this time that he turned professional.

Mrs. Street said her husband, the late A.J. Street, became acquainted with Anderson about 1954: “A.J. liked to skate a lot back then and spent a lot of time at the Recreation Building. I believe it was there where they first met.

“When my husband and I were dating, we often took in a movie at the Majestic or Sevier Theater. Frequently while attending the theatre, we would meet Paul and his date, a pretty petite blond lady. Back then, people dressed up when going on dates. I remember seeing Paul dressed in a beige suit and a shirt with a pointed collar. His neck was so big that he probably couldn’t get a tie around it so he just left his collar open.”

Peggy said that soon after Paul won the 1956 Olympics, she and A.J. saw him again at the Majestic Theatre, not in person, but on the big screen during a Movietone Newsreel. When news of Paul’s winning an Olympic gold metal was announced, the crowd whooped and hollered; this was their local hero from neighboring Elizabethton.

In one Newsreel scene, Paul is shown with his hands and feet bound so as to keep them from bursting under the tremendous amount of weight he was lifting. 

Paul was invited to appear on the hit quiz show “I’ve Got a Secret,” emceed by Garry Moore, He amazingly lifted the panel, consisting of Faye Emerson, Bill Cullen, Jayne Meadows and Henry Morgan. He also appeared on the popular Ed Sullivan Show. A Johnson City Press-Chronicle newspaper showed a picture of him lifting his wife into the air with one hand. In a movie clip, he was seen carrying a large cow around on his back. Paul was even able to lift the front end of an automobile. An impromptu visit to his garage in Elizabethton often found him doing squats with 800-900 pound motor blocks.

In 1961, Paul and Glenda, his wife became devout Christians and took the gospel message inside prison walls. Later, he founded the Paul Anderson Youth Home for troubled youngsters in Vidalia, Georgia. Over time, he received many letters from appreciative fans, including one in 1963 from J. Edgar Hoover.

The “World’s Strongest Man” died in 1994 at the age of 61, but not before leaving an impressive mark on the world of sports. Thank you, Mrs. Street for reminding us of him. 

In 1952-53 while in Mrs. Alf Taylor’s fourth grade class at Henry Johnson School, I was introduced to the game of marbles, soon becoming an avid devotee of the sport.

The instant our teacher escorted us to the east side playground for recess, several of us boys immediately began organizing a marble game. I cannot recall ever seeing girls engage in the competition; it was definitely a boy’s amusement. The first thing we did was to choose classmates with whom we wanted to play. I seem to recall that two to four people made an ideal match.  

The site of the contest had to be carefully selected. It needed to be free of grass, weeds, rocks, clumps of dirt and debris. Most of our games were held in the clay dirt along the east backside of the playground next to the Fox residence. Once having found an ideal spot, we played on it repeatedly. On rare occasions, we used the sidewalk, but a paved surface was rough on the knees compared to softer ground. Besides, playing in the dirt was more fun for us tough guys.

After we selected our players and located a spot, it was time to get down to serious business. Using a stick, we first drew a one to two foot diameter circle in the dirt. Marbles varied in color from the bland to the very beautiful “catis eye” (referred to as “cat’s eyes”) that were made of clear glass with a swirl of color inside. We each put an agreed upon number in the ring, after which they became common property.

We took turns shooting a special marble, appropriately called a “shooter” or “taw, from anywhere outside the large circle, trying to knock one or more marbles out of it. We always had a couple of special “shooters” that we would not part with at any price.

Shooting a marble required the use of your thumb, index finger and middle finger. The middle and index fingers held the thumb and marble in place together in a cocked position until the player was ready to propel the marble forward. The shooting hand had to touch the ground while shooting; failure to do so resulted in an infraction called “fudging,” resulting in the individual losing his turn.

Whenever a marble exited the ring, it became that player’s possession. If you knocked a marble out of the ring and the shooter stayed inside the circle, you continued shooting from where it landed. Driving two or more marbles out of the ring with one attempt was called “dubs.” Anytime your shooter exited the circle, your turn was over. The game ended when all marbles had been cast out of the ring.

There were two varieties of the sport. One was “funsies” (playing for fun), where every participant went away with the same number of marbles that he had when he began. The other was “keepsies” (playing for keeps) that allowed you to keep all the marbles you shot out of the ring. The latter option was later considered by many schools to be a form of gambling and, consequently, not permitted.

I stored my marbles at home in an old Easter basket. When I took them to school, I carried them in an old sock. A status symbol on the playground was for us boys to parade around with marbles bulging from our pockets, indicating we were big game winners. This self-directed recognition was all we ever received for our efforts.

My marble playing days rolled away after I began attending Junior High School in the mid 1950s. Regrettably, I parted with my basket full of marbles by hitting each one with a wooden baseball bat, spraying them into a vacant lot adjacent to our Baxter Street residence. My pleasurable sport of yesteryear became passé.