Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Telephone Party Lines

If you have seen the 1959 film Pillow Talk, you will remember how Jan, played by Doris Day, kept trying to use the phone only to find that Brad, played by Rock Hudson, was constantly on their party line.  A party line consists of multiple telephone subscribers connected to the same land line. 

Read More
Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Lost Corner Preserve and the Miles Family

On the day of the move, Fred Miles worked half a day at his downtown job with Georgia Power, then rode the streetcar to meet his family in Buckhead. The family brought their possessions, including chickens, in a wagon pulled by a mule. They also brought their cow Betsy and her calf who walked behind the wagon. Betsy “had no time to chew her cud and meditate that day” as the family continued down Roswell Road.

Read More
Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

WPA, Works Progress Administration projects

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was a government program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935 to help the country during the Great Depression by providing jobs. It was part of a group of policies, programs and projects known as the New Deal. Many public works projects were part of the program, as well as projects in the arts. Over 8.5 million people participated in the WPA.

Read More
Valerie Biggerstaff Valerie Biggerstaff

Canneries were part of farm life

Several Georgia schools had canneries on their grounds.  In 1943, Tucker, Norcross, and Chamblee High Schools were among the top Georgia schools processing canned food and helping their community. 

Read More