Taft, California

Greetings from Pete Gianopulos, Class of 1942

The Taft Newsletter

Attachments: No. 1: Tom and his violin, Tony Harris, and a friend from Lynistena; No. 2: The West Side Fruit Co.

Tom and Vasiliki Gianopulos

(NOTE: The series continues about my parents who both came from Greece and settled and lived the rest of their lives in Taft. This information is from the writings of my brother, George Gianopulos, from a document that he wrote in 1994 called “Tom Gianopulos, Citizen of America – Citizen of Taft, A Biographical Sketch, from George’s book called “Wake Up Eddie for a Dime” and from my memory.)

Number four in the series

Tom Gianopulos met Tony Harris, (Anthony Harritos) in 1919. Harris was fellow countryman who had arrived in the U.S. in 1900 and had eventually migrated to Taft. Tony's entrepreneurial spirit had rewarded him with a successful produce business; he had established and was proprietor of a fruit and vegetable market on Main Street just east of 4th Street. Tony invited him to join him in a new business venture.

Together, they established the West Side Fruit Company. The new partners opened their market at 422 Center Street. They featured fresh fruit and vegetables which they brought from the huge Los Angeles produce market. In those days travel to Los Angeles was a major journey over the mountains on a narrow, windy two lane road called the Ridgeroute. Several times a week, either Tom or Tony left Taft in their truck in the early mooring hours. traveled the Grapevine to Los Angeles to pick a load of fresh produce and return later that day. Fresh fruit and vegetables were made available to their customers. So regular did this trip become that these wine-loving Greeks hid a large jug of wine on an upper branch of a roadside oak tree in the San Fernando Valley. There they stopped for a "rest." From the top of their truck they could reach their hidden jug, pour a small glass of wine, enjoy it with their cheese, olives and bread purchased at the Los Angeles market. (The wine had to be hidden because Prohibition was still the law of the land.) Their innovative produce service continues for some time but was soon carried out by an employee of the store. Tom and Tony later added groceries, canned goods and a butcher shop. Their grocery store remained at the Center Street location until the mid-thirties when it was moved to 506 Kern Street. There it stood open until 1941.

By 1922, Tom was well established in his adopted country. He was now in his thirties. He had money, and he had property. He had a business and was a known citizen of Taft. He had become a competent violinist, (He studied under violinist in Bakersfield for several years.) During Greek dances held in Bakersfield at church activities and picnics, Tom could be found playing the violin with other instruments at these events. But, he felt it was time to settle down. What was missing could only be provided by marriage. However, marriage for the young immigrant was not simple. He only understood the Greek custom of arranged marriages. In Greece, partners in marriage were selected by the parents. Parents looked for partners who had proper backgrounds, came from a stable and respected families, and would likely be compatible in marriage. Tom started his marriage process by writing letter to his brother in Greece expressing his desire for a wife, a woman from the Fatherland, a Greek bride. The family in Greece considered the request and quickly focused their attention on Vasiliki, a young lady who lived in Kyparrisia, a lovely coastal, seaside community in the southwestern Peloponnesus, She met all of the qualifications.

(To be continued)

Reader's Responses

From Nancy (Walter) Doss, Class of 1968, from Idaho Falls, Utah

Hi Pete, I've really enjoyed your family history story. Very interesting. Also, thanks to Ken Kirkpatrick for the Taft High Band music download. Gary and I have really enjoyed it. The professional sound from a bunch of Taft High kids is really awesome! Our daughter, Lauri, was in the Taft High Band under the direction of Mr. Carter for about 3 years. She played the clarinet and was also on the flag team. Some of her best high school memories were her participation in the band. I am so proud to have been educated in Taft and wish I had realized at the time how fortunate we were to have so many talented and dedicated teachers.

Nancy Walter Doss Class of '68

From Lavetta (Smith) Purvis, graduated from Lincoln School, lives in Bakersfield, California

Hi Pete, Just wanted to tell you that I find your family's story very interesting. I have always liked stories about local history, especially if they are about a particular family. Like yours.

I did not graduate from Taft High School, but I did graduate from Lincoln School in 1951. Then I went to a private church owned boarding high school from 1951 to 1955. I do remember some of the people who went on to graduate from Taft. So it is interesting to read the comments from some of the others, especially Trice Harvey. Ha ha. One of the members of the class of 1955, Sherry Holder Brown, suffered a major stroke a few years ago, and is not quite the same as she was before. But she is still around and still doing all right. (Maybe you already knew this.) Well, this is about all I know as of right now.

Thanks again for the interesting newsletter.

Laveta Smith Purvis, Class of 1955 (Newbury Park Academy, Newbury Park, California)

From evaJean (Shank) Williams, Class of 1941, from Spokane, Washington

Hi Pete, Good looking guy that Tom! I'm really enjoying the travel stories of your parents. Keep them coming.

I wonder how many of you know about the movie about Taft/Bakersfield football game where-in the hero of the game flubbed a pass and Taft lost. This was in 1972. The plot of the story is that the game was replayed again many years later to prove our hero could save the Taft reputation. Anyway, my husband heard about the movie and presented it for my birthday. The name of the movie is: "Best of Times" starring Robin Williams and Kurt Russell. It's hilarious. And, in one shot there is a picture of my parent's home on Lierly St. by the oil ditch.

Sure brought back memories as I was a cheer leader during high school years '38-'41. My only claim to fame!!

Jeanne (evaJean) Williams

From Dennis Gurwell, Class of 1967, from Los Angeles, California

Pete, Thanks for the story about your dad in his early days in the U.S. I've heard bits and pieces before, but you have helped fill in some of the blanks. I also don't remember seeing the photos of him in his Army uniform. It's not hard to see where you inherited your good looks from.

Dennis Gurwell, Class of '67

From Sylvia (Richard) Griggs, Class of 1951, from Livermore, California

Pete, Your newsletters are always so welcome in my email. I have enjoyed your biographical writings and was totally taken back by the tremendous resemblence you bear to your father! You must have been cloned. I know George and you are very similar in appearance, but you and your father are such amazing look-alikes. Thanks for sending these

photos along with the newsletters. They mean a lot to all of us, I'm sure. And, thanks, also, Pete for the interviews you have done with the old Taft pioneers....my mother, Eloise Dugas Richard, among them. She was almost 90 when you did that interview, and you were so patient with her...She and I both cherished those moments. You are such a positive example of a good citizen, Pete. Thanks for being 'you.' Sylvia Richard Griggs, Class of '51

From Larry Bonner, Class of 1964, from Red Bluff, CA.

Pete, Thank you for adding this "corrected" information about the tragedy that befell the Fields family Friday night, January 16th.

My apologies for my mistake in the letter. As you probably know by now, Shaye Lee Fields was the one that passed away, not Gina. The news about Schaye washed thorough our family like a flood. The Fields family needs all the prayers that will go their way. Larry Bonner