More reactions to the past 10 years of history columns

Last week, for our column’s 10th anniversary, Kim shared some of the follow-up stories she’s heard since writing some of her columns. So, now it’s my turn, again in recognition of our 10th anniversary.

Several years ago,

I did a column on John and Ada Ragsdale, and their wellknown rock castle on a hill in north Perris. It is quite a landmark by itself, and has been for years. The Ragsdales built it of stones retrieved from the Whitewater River near Palm Springs. After living in Perris, the Ragsdales moved to Kentucky and started the Open Door orphanage for children.

Once my column was published and had been out for a bit, I received a few emails from people who had grown up in the Ragsdale’s orphanage. All of them were so grateful for the wonderful treatment the couple had given them and had very fond memories of growing up with “Momma Ada” in the huge house that they had converted for their purposes.

By far, the most comments that I have received about stories come from the Boomer generation here in Riverside.

My columns about Sage’s Complete Shopping (both of them!), plus the Harris’ Christmas window displays and the Harris’ Christmas train brought dozens of comments and reminiscences from people who fondly remembered their parents taking them shopping in Sage’s, the Riverside Plaza and to Harris.’

Of those who talked about Sage’s, most of them remembered going to Sage’s Coffee Shop after shopping or after church for lunch and strawberry pie. That was by far a favorite activity for youngsters in the 1950s and 1960s. But hot on its heels was the Sage’s Toy Store right across the street on Beatty Drive in the Magnolia Center area. Lots of people talked of getting favorite toys there.

Similarly, going to Harris’ to see Santa, peering into the wonderful animated Christmas displays, and, for the lucky ones (like this wideeyed 5-year-old), going on the special train that went up towards the Cajon Pass to pick up Santa were childhood highlights. That column evoked lots of memories.

Finally, I was fascinated by the story of a man named Waldo Marquis, who wrote about his journey through our area on a trip to the San Jacinto Mountains in 1877. I wrote about his journey and thoughts, and a few days after my column appeared, I was contacted by Roger Jeffries, who is Waldo’s great-grandson.

I met with him and he allowed me to scan a picture of Waldo and his wife that I subsequently used in our “Back in the Day Vol. 2” book. In addition, he put me in contact with a cousin of his who is doing family research. She had been unable to document Waldo’s experience in California, only his early life, so my column helped to uncover some information about Waldo to his descendants.

Kim and I both greatly appreciate all of you reading our columns, and offering some ideas of your own. Please keep reading, and here’s to the next 10 years!

BACK IN THE DAY