MONDAY MEMORIES

Nature’s bridge a neighborhood attraction

7/7/2014

We are officially in tornado season, and it is not uncommon for severe thunderstorms to pop up following a hot, humid afternoon. But this photo captured a neighborhood attraction that resulted from a windstorm on April 3, 1956.

Blade photographer Clarence Bailey happened across Mother Nature’s handiwork a few days later, on April 12.

A large tree limb came down across the lawn of Lawrence Russell, at 1005 Eton Road, in West Toledo. After Mr. Russell trimmed off the smaller branches, youngsters in the area became fascinated with the possibilities. Apparently dogs liked it, too, as evidenced by the black dog at the upper left, who didn’t seem the least bit bothered by the height.

Mr. Russell drove his car under the tree limb going to and from work, and it wasn’t unusual for him to have a handful of boys and girls who begged to ride “under the bridge” when he came home. The main limb bridged the Russell driveway, and its forked end formed an arch for pedestrians on the sidewalk.

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