Russell Garner Account

I lived with my family at the house just east of the Nelson gas station from 
1933 to 1936. You can just see it in the Nelson station picture.

I was known as "peanuts" around Malcomb's station because I always tried to 
get someone to put a penny into the peanut vending machine. I got to know him 
very well later in life after he retired. I only remember him with one wife. 
He was single I think through all of the 30's and at least part of the 40's.

The building north of the station was a co-op bakery during the depression. 
52 families banded together to make ends meet.

My folks, Ray and Nella Garner, built the house at the northeast corner of 
Budlong and 112th street. It was finished in 1944 as I remember, about my 
14th birthday.

The lot is the west 100 feet of the Vreeland lot (if I remember correctly).

The garage is sunk into the original lot by about 4 feet to match the grade 
of 112th Street. My dad and I removed about 27 yards of dirt. Eddie Magdaleno 
(my brother-in-law) helped. It was trucked away by a fellow named Johnny who 
helped us shovel the dirt into his 10 yard dump truck on many Saterdays.

This is the place diagonally accross from the Newsomes.

I recall being part of the ball-playing group at 112th and Berendo who put a 
baseball through the Slagles' front window.

Later Julie and I lived in the little house next to the store. I think 
Pierson (sp?) was in there by that time.

I later came to know the Baxters son Delbert(?) who moved from the Disneyland
site and bought about 200 acres in Sunnymead (now Moreno Valley). When he 
sold this site he was fixed for life and bought a large motor home, a trailer
for his boat, and Bronco. He was killed in the Bronco about 2 weeks later 
(around the late 60's) while testing out some new tires/wheels. For those who
might remember him, he used to race on the dirt track circuit and others 
(perhaps Culver Stadium?).

Rudy Bauchman lived on Budlong, approximately behind the Dumas. We were good 
friends in high school. I remember his 1938 Lincoln Zepher! He married into 
the Magdaleno family, another story for perhaps Alex to tell.

Mrs. Ayers was a very accomplished artist and a very interesting lady to 
spend time with. The statue of George Washington at the High School is her 
work as is the figure at 14th treet and Market in Riverside.

I worked part time at Newsomes gas station at 111th and Vermont and at the 
station at Century and Vermont. 
This was about 1947.


Russ Garner