1950's Swifton Village Memories (Avon, Reading: college, live, shopping center)

[MaryBeth2]

What a nice thread. A walk down memory lane. I enjoyed it like I had been there myself. Thank you.

[Stuller]

The best part was sledding during the snow at the park. Or going to Cincinnati Gardens when the Beatles played there and getting to see their limo leave. The Gardens let people into the building and loudcasted the concert even if you didn't have tickets and you could hear them even if you couldn't see them.

I went to Swifton Primary and on November 22, 1963 we were in the Multi Purpose Room watching educational TV and our teachers all came in there and started crying. We didn't know what was going on or why they all were crying. Then we were told that John Kennedy had been shot. We were all kept in the Multi Purpose Room for awhile and then I think we were sent home early. I remember all the kids trying to comfort our inconsolable teachers.

Then I went to Bond Hill for 4th, 5th, and most of 6th grade before we moved out of state. It was one of the best educational experiences I ever had. We played recorders, learned architectural modeling, and did hand weaving. PE was super and we did a lot of gymnastics.

At Bond Hill, were were all divided by IQ. Each grade had four separated groups. Within the top group, we were divided into three more groups. Almost everyone was Jewish and left-handed.

My favorite memories were meeting my best friend for doughnuts at the variety store there. We would meet, sit at the counter and have 8 cent doughnuts and then go shopping.

I keep meaning to go back but the closest I have gotten was Cleveland.

[larryart1]

I lived in North Avondale & grew up there until moving to Amberly Village...my older brother went to Woodward & remember something called may fete, an inside Woodward festival..& they always used to have a wrecked car in front diring prom time when on Tv, they would show 'the last prom', a fun to watch but poorly produced show about teens at prom time drinking..i always thought they should have updated that with the 70's crowd getting high & doing 'ludes'...we went to surgar N' spice for lunch or when we skipped school, which was 'in' during the early '70's...

[larryart1]

i went to Woodward HS, graduated (amazingly) in 1972...they just wanted out of there!....it was one of the last years that school was relatively safe or sane...although I use those words loosely....i always had a special fondness for N Avondale...too bad much of it was deconstructed but some areas remain nice...my old street was wess park drive....a great street

[Hyden]

Hello All, I was wanting to know if anyone had pictures of the Swifton Village apts. We have alot of posts on the Stratford Manor/Eastwood Village thread. My brother was telling me that the Swifton apts were built close to the same time and he thinks by the same people. I think it would be interesting to see a picture of them posted on here. Hyden

[mothership54]

i must know you because i was there too 305 479 8643

[RHONDA W1954]

Did you live in the village? If so when and where. Who were your friends?Rhonda

[LylaL]

I attended Swifton Primary in 62-64 for second and third grade. Teachers were Mrs Tavlin and Mrs Cone. Susan Tucker was the principal and the crossing guard was Dorothy. There were pianos in the classrooms and both teachers played. Many classmates were Jewish but I was among the hillbillies coming in from Kentucky. When at Swifton The Beatles were becoming popular and later, at Bond Hill (4-6 grade), The Monkees. I remember the first black teacher at Swifton arrived in the early sixties, Mrs Meadows. She taught there a couple of years until she was murdered by her boyfriend. At Bond Hill I didn't go to White Castle for lunch, but spent a lot of change at that candy store across the street. Bee's? Most of my classmates went on to Woodward for 7th grade, but my parents divorced and I was hauled back to Kentucky for a few years.

[mike1003]

Ah, the back seat of my old Chevy in Roselawn park

[Valerie1964]

I lived at 1926 Langdon Farm Road. I lived there my entire childhood until age 18. I have older brothers, Andrew and Smoky Stark and an older sister Karen. Andrew and Karen graduated from Woodward and Smoky attended Walnut Hills. We have wonderful memories of Swifton area.....sleigh riding at Roselawn park, Circus and hockey games at the gardens, Bond Hill library, going to White Castles on Reading Road/AvonDale, Pasquales Pizza/butcher shop at Swifton Shopping center. Growing up with the following familys....Kahlstrom (Lainey and brothers), schaeffer (Tammy), Flowers (Donna and brother), and Reed (Vicky and brothers/sister)