Riding my Sears J. C. Higgins bicycle – bought in 1963 at Sears & Roebuck in Lakewood on South Tacoma Way – into the sunset
March 28, 2024 Suburban Times, Lakewood
Story and photos by Tim Marsh, Lakes High Class of 1966.
I rode my Sears J. C. Higgins bicycle — bought
in 1963 from the Sears catalogue and paid for and picked it up at Sears &
Roebuck in Lakewood at 8720 South Tacoma Way at the “U.S. 99 at Lakewood
cutoff” – off into the sunset.
That paints a nice
picture. But, it’s not accurate.
In reality, this
month a local charity picked up my bike. It was loaded into the back of their
truck next to a couple of couches someone else donated. The truck drove off
during a brief respite from rainy weather. No rain drops. No tears from me.
But, memories.
Downsizing at home
finished off the bike, which I bought at 15-years old. I’m 76. It’s been
literally hanging around in our garage for more than 10 years. I lost track the
last time I rode the bike. It was time for us to part.
The bike was moved
from Lakewood to western Oregon. From western Oregon to eastern Washington.
From eastern Washington back to western Oregon. Next stop will be where the
charity’s buyer takes it. .
In 1963 I needed the
bike for transportation. I had a Saturday job doing yardwork at a home on the
other side of the lake. I could walk there but riding a bike to/from was a
better option.
Looking at the Sears
catalogue at home I saw possibilities. I picked a 26-inch bike with bright
metallic red enamel finish and silver fenders.
Today the finish has
faded. It still has its original white sidewall tires. There’s rust. The seat
is cracking. But, in general it’s in great shape for its age. The Tacoma bike
license affixed on the back fender expired Dec. 31, 1963.
When the bike
arrived, we got a phone call. Dad drove me to the store. He paid for it. We put
the bike in a box and brought it home.
I assembled it. Then,
I ordered a J.C. Higgins speedometer/odometer and did not ride the bike until I
installed it on the bike. The 950 miles on the odometer are original
miles.
Not every Saturday
was a bike to yard work on the other side of the lake day. Neighbor boys, older
than me, worked at the same home years before. They sometimes rowed a boat over
and back. I decided I’d do that, too.
Dad bought a new
8-foot pram wood rowboat from a shop in old Tacoma. We put it on sawhorses on
the front porch and painted the inside and stern white and the rest of it
bright blue.
Rowing to my Saturday
job was not a breeze, but do-able. Once there was more than a breeze. There was
strong wind and whitecaps on the lake. Rowing back home after work was
challenging. I was not wearing a life jacket and was afraid the pram would be
swamped and sink.
So, I beached the
pram at American Lake Park and walked home. The next day, with better lake
conditions, I walked to the park and rowed the pram home.
Having that Saturday
job meant I earned money. Mrs. L (name changed) paid me after each day of work.
Using a manual typewriter, she’d add the date, and my name on the check. Then,
she used a neat machine to print the dollar and cents amount on the check.
With check in hand,
I’d get myself to Rhodes department store at Villa Plaza. It cashed my check in
its second floor business office. Yes, on Saturdays.
Mrs. L was amazing.
Not only a job, but she paid with checks. I did not appreciate it at the time,
but she tallied my hours and paid into Social Security. When I retired, the
first hours for which I had SocSec credit were thanks to her.
Yes, the money earned
and Social Security credit was good. But, more important to me now is the
memory of my bicycle and my 8-foot pram.
POSTSCRIPT –
According to the TNT, the Sears Suburban Store in Lakewood opened in 1957.
Store officials extended a “cordial invitation to the public to see the many
facilities offered in this great new Sears store of almost 11,000 square feet.”
Interesting to note, the building formerly housed a Safeway grocery store.
The store had a South
Tacoma Way address and was at the intersection with Steilacoom Boulevard. Phone
JU 8-3661.
Sold in the store
were Coldspot freezers and refrigerators. Kenmore ranges, washers and dryers.
Silverstone television sets and radios and Craftsman power tools. No mention of
J. C. Higgins.
Oh, you recall, as do
I, the Sears store on Broadway in downtown Tacoma. I always entered in through
the back (top of building) parking lot. Go into the back door, ride the
escalator down and smell the popcorn.
ALSO – A TNT
classified ad in the Nov 18, 1952 mentions “Sears Farm Store, 1408 So. St.” in
Tacoma.
https://thesubtimes.com/2024/03/28/riding-my-sears-j-c-higgins-bicycle-bought-in-1963-at-sears-roebuck-in-lakewood-on-south-tacoma-way-into-the-sunset/
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