James Laird - "Lark Ellen Home for Boys 1930s History and Descriptions" - Page 4

Across Ninth Street from the home were lima bean fields until you reach Pico Blvd. Walking was our form of transportation to school, the movies, Boy Scouts and such It was! To go to the nearby beaches of Santa Monica or the mountains camping we had our old Chevrolet stake-bed truck about 1930 vantage. The super would take a few in her car on special occasions such as to the doctor or something else special.

When my two brothers and I arrived they went into the small boy's dorm and I went into the middle age boy's dorm which was the smaller one at that time. We were given a metal-framed bed complete with sheets, blankets, pillow and spread. Our clothes were kept folded in a wooden chest next to our bed. The chest could be used as a chair and small table to keep a few personal items on. All but the very youngest kids were expected to make their beds each morning, and change the sheets once a week or sooner if needed. Everyone had a job or chore to do each morning that fit their skills such as dusting, sweeping, or helping in the kitchen.

Food was served in the dining room which was very formal with separate tables with bentwood chairs, linen tablecloths and napkins. Food was served to each person on china plates by one of the older boys who helped in the kitchen to serve and cleaned the dishes afterwards. The dining room was kept immaculate with polished hardwood floors and neat clean tables and chairs.

It was a good place to live if you could not live at home and probably better than most of the homes the boys came from.

James Laird