Hadley Technical School – 1955 | Grandma’s Stories

Oct 1st Hadley Technical School – 1955

When I started to work for the Telephone Co., – I was not 18 – considered under age and had to get a “Worker’s Permit” to work. While going to High School, during the summers, I took a couple of extra classes – so that I could get out of school earlier – so here I am – only have to get (4) four more credits and working for the Telephone Co. When they hired me – they told me they will be paying a full salary for (4) four weeks while in training and that they will only hire me if I will promise that I won’t quite and go beck to High School – when School starts back up.

When you are young and enjoy the work you are learning to do – “LIFE” has a wonderful look to it! You almost feel that you are in “Seventh Heaven” – especially since you spent your Grade School years in an “Orphanage.”

After, my on the job training – you start working day time hours 8:00 to 5:00 – and when they get an idea of what you can do – you are put on split hours shifts – which were terrific for me. You work seven (7) hours and paid for (8) eight. Then, the best part of the deal – you receive “CAR FARE” – so now I knew just what I should do! I enrolled at Hadley Technical School – 3405 Bell Avenue, St. Louis, MO. – which was mid-town. I would hop on the Olive Street Car and the Grand Avenue Street Car and would run to make connections and was always flying – just as fast as I could – but I did it – I got the four credits needed and my “Diploma” and had lots of “FUN” working my way through school!

The above picture is me – that’s when I had a nineteen inch waist – and I decided to take pictures of the class of guys – mostly “VETS” – and with me – the Instructor for the classes that I was taking — some one wanted to take my picture with him – – I can not even guess what his name is or was???