Welcome to Sprigg Street Memories! My name is Darla June Franklin. My maiden name was Yow.
This blog will be my place to re-live old memories and introduce you to the people who lived near me in the South Sprigg Street neighborhood of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, during the late 1950's and early 1960's. Hopefully you may find my memories entertaining or informative. Maybe you have some memories or photos from that neighborhood and time also. If so, I hope that you will share them with me and also with others who may happen to visit this blog. You may leave a comment or email me at darlayow@gmail.com-
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Sprigg Street Memories
Author Archives: darlajune
Does Anyone Remember a Man Named Sam?
Does anyone else from the Sprigg Street neighborhood remember an African-Amercan man named Sam? He had mostly white hair from what I could see, although he always had on a hat with a droopy brim. He always had a pole … Continue reading
Posted in 1960, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Neighbors, racism, Ranney Street, Sprigg Street
Tagged Cape Girardeau Missouri, hobos, ranney, Sam, sprigg street
7 Comments
The Dillinghams and Watching The Beatles on Ed Sullivan
The Dillinghams were another surrogate family to me. I had such great times with them especially in the summertime. The father, Galvin, was a truck driver who drove all week and was home on weekends most of the time. The … Continue reading
Posted in Beatles, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Music, Neighbors, Sprigg Street
Tagged beatles, dillingham, ed sullivan, sprigg street
8 Comments
‘Living in Smelterville’ Written by a Reader of Sprigg Street Memories
American Environmental Photographs Collection, [AEP Image Number, e.g., AEP-MIN73], Department of Special Collections, University of Chicago Library. The above photo, although not taken in Cape, looks familiar to those who lived in or near Smelterville. The main difference between what … Continue reading
Posted in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Neighbors, racism, School, Sprigg Street
Tagged flood, Mississippi, smelterville
1 Comment
Final article on “Lies” – Part 4
I always want that ‘happily ever after” ending that Disney portrayed in his fairytale movies. Cinderella was poor and mistreated but ended up a princess; Snow White was hated and murdered, but came alive again; Sleeping Beauty was cursed, then … Continue reading
Posted in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Sprigg Street
Tagged Auburn Creek, Mary Maupin, Ruthie
6 Comments
Disclaimer: For Anyone Offended by My Use of the Word ‘Lies’
“To be clear, my mother would never purposely teach me a lie. I use the word lie because it refers to an untruth; my mother’s motivation was not to lie to me but she did pass on untruths unknowingly.” The … Continue reading
My Brother Didn’t Buy the Lies – Part 3
This is a continuation of a series of posts: Late 50’s – May Greene School – and the Lies I believed – Part 1 Lies I Believed – Part 2 (He’s gonna’ kill me! 🙂 Don’t you just love … Continue reading
Posted in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Neighbors, racism, School
Tagged may greene school, wrong side of town
4 Comments
Lies I Believed – Part 2
Continued from Late 1950’s – May Greene School -And the Lies I Believed: I am conflicted about writing on the subject of racism because I don’t wish to dishonor anyone, especially my family, but I think that the story needs … Continue reading
Late 50’s – May Greene School – and the Lies I Believed – Part 1
I began attending May Greene School when I was in the 4th grade. Up until that time I had gone to schools that had only white students because the schools were located in white neighborhoods. However, May Greene School had … Continue reading
Posted in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, racism, School
Tagged civil rights, may greene school, racism
20 Comments
Charlie Dietiker – Grocery Store Owner
11/30/2011 Correction: I have been informed by a reader of this blog that Charlie’s store was not located in Smelterville. His brother John’s store was the one located there. Here is the info on Charlie’s store location from reader Collin … Continue reading
The Kelleys on Ranney Street
This post was sent to me by my brother, Mark, who was best friends with ‘Little Skip’ Kelley who lived on Ranney Street. Here are some of his memories: I found this last night. This was my friend Skipper’s … Continue reading
Posted in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Neighbors, Ranney Street
Tagged June Kelley, kelley, Mark Yow, ranney street, Skip Kelley
3 Comments
Sprigg Street Memories, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 1960's 