Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

This article was originally published in the March 15, 2008, edition.

For some strange reason, I started replacing some of my favorite childhood toys – I turned to eBay to accomplish this odd task. I just figured it was another weird part of getting older. So far, I have re-purchased a Secret Sam Spy Rifle with the hidden camera in the attaché case, a Girder and Panel Building Set, one of those 20 Mule Team Borax models and a Kenner “Give A Show Projector.” Remember those? It was a small plastic slide projector that showed color slides of Popeye, The Flintstones, Superman, Yogi Bear, and other cartoons – it worked with batteries and a light bulb, and you would project the image on a wall or a sheet. I got one for 30 bucks on eBay.

Recently, I was surfing the big “e,” and just for the heck of it, I searched the words “Somerville, Mass” – what I found was very interesting. First, there were the old postcards – one was of Somerville English High School, dated 1907. The photo was just the High School’s main building when there was nothing else surrounding it. Another postcard was of Robinson’s Round House on Spring Hill, and several others were of the Old Powder House. I found these artifacts very interesting.

Other items I found were very old bottles and containers with the First National Stores markings on them. The most intriguing item I found was an old wine bottle – the label says “Elba Brand, bottled by The Goduti Wineries, Somerville, Mass.” Those must have really been the good old days when there was a winery in Somerville – I wonder if there was ever a brewery in the ‘Ville of old. If there was maybe they would have brewed a Winter Hill Lager or a Ball Square Ale – how about Magoun Malt, or maybe a brisk Powder House Pilsner. That gives me an idea – anyone want to start a Somerville Brewery? I’ll be more than happy to be a taste tester.

I also found some great photos of old Somerville Fire engines from 1933, two factory photos of a booster hose car, and a pumper manufactured for the Somerville Fire Department by the Seagrave Fire Truck Factory – all up for bids. I found even more old postcards of the Central Library, Highlands Railroad Station that used to be behind the High School I think, and a very interesting postcard of City Hall when they were still using the Highland Ave entrance.  There is also a great postcard of St. Ann’s Church from 1907. Sadly, not all internet websites are as entertaining as eBay.

When I entered “Somerville Mass” on Wikipedia, I was not amused at the derogatory things written about our city and its not-so-distant history. Try it, and you will see what I mean. But if you want to have a little fun while you’re surfing the ‘net, go to eBay and see the treasures that are out there from the old days of Somerville.

The strange part is that the people that are selling these items are from all over the country. By the time this reaches print, I will know if I won the auction for that great old Somerville wine bottle.

As for my own project to “replace objects from my past,” I’m still looking for one of those little grey plastic baking soda-powered submarines that used to come inside boxes of Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes. I’ve purchased some Beatles collector cards (remember those?), a Beatles Rubber Soul album – and believe it or not, some vintage marbles to hopefully replace the ones I’ve lost over the years.

Finding vintage Somerville items online is an enjoyable way to kill some time. I actually had accumulated a few Somerville artifacts without even trying. Down in my cellar, I found my Western Jr. High School class picture from 1968, my very last report card, and my beanie from class day in 1971. I’m afraid that someday when I do a search for “Old Somerville Artifacts” my picture will pop up.