Raymond Rex Subject: Childhood Memories of Willoughby Spit Wed 6/12/02 5:07 PM

[Red Rooster's 4th View print at page bottom]

 First, I would like to say "thank you" for such a wonderful job on your Nickel Tour of Ocean View. It brought back many fond memories. I was born in the area in 1964, and we lived there (my father was in the Navy) for a few years. He retired and moved us to Pittsburgh PA, but we came back to Willoughby Spit for many years (mid & late 1970s). We rented a small white cottage in the 780 block of West Ocean View every summer. I remember great fishing and crabbing (much better than in South Florida!), as well as wonderful people, beaches and sights. Your web site brought that all back and more.

Do you have any photographs of the 780 block of West Ocean View Avenue? I am just trying to see how it has changed. You may have heard of Grace Sumner, Tazewell (Tiggy) Nicholson, or Mrs. Griffith. I remember them (my father rented part of Mr. Nicholson's house). Grace Sumner had a large house with seawall in the front on Big Bay at the 780 block or so. Tiggy Nicholson had a house behind it. Mrs. Griffith's house was in front of Tiggy Nicholson's house, east of Grace Sumner's house. We rented a small one-story white cottage next to Mrs. Griffith. Both Grace Sumner and Mrs. Griffith were "Old Virginia money" if that helps. Tiggy Nicholson's son worked as charter boat captain for Harrison's, but passed away suddenly many years ago.

See http://rkpuma.com/ov/nickel1tug.htm and http://www.geocities.com/rkpuma/stuff.htm --a detour off the tour, but the images are between 9th & 11th "Stops". I am definitely familiar with Ms. Sumner, in fact she is mentioned http://rkpuma.com/ov/nickel21.htm (see first paragraph). http://rkpuma.com/ov/nickel15.htm Photos here were taken on a story done for gohamptonroads.com (now cox.net --so, no longer on their site) in 1997). --RK

9/3/03 UPDATE: The Pier & Camel are sold- DO OR SAY SOMETHING!   CLICK! ==>

My father in OV about two years ago said much had changed. He did not get to stay long. It sounds like much has changed, some not for the good, but much is the same (thank God for Harrison's Fishing Pier!). Thank you for your time, please send me all you know. I'd be happy to pay for any photos or information, or help in any way. Thank you so much! The small picture does seem familiar - could it be that seawall of Grace Sumner's is the same in the lower right corner of this picture? Some other families around us were Jack & Doris Cross and Pat & Blanch Farley. As someone said in e-mails you posted, Ocean View/Willoughby was and is a magical place. For me, it brings back very fond memories. From the beachcombing, fishing and crabbing, to the sunsets and fireworks at Ocean View Park, I remember them well. Oh, I do remember the Edmond's and Owen's homes, only by picture though. I believe they were East, on the same block of where I lived and vacationed years ago. Raymond Rex, Palm Beach, FL

[You will be sad to know the Harrisons sold pier and properties;they now have the Camel and all of the property west of Sarah Constance Shrine
there are development plans-- see 9/4/03. It'll break hearts:
Below is a digitized  print by 'Red Rooster': 4th View-- Harrison's Pier & Thirsty Camel (aka Drury Little's/Paul's/Griswold's).
File below has been substantially cropped; but our full-sized print has been a comfort, over the desk for the past 20 years or so. --R K

Actual size uncropped  -  24" Width x 12" Height (use bottom scroll bar, if necessary, to see entire file image) Contact Red (Paul Trice) Rooster at 757.588.2585
--He has many Ocean View paintings and reasonable print offerings to select from.]