The Mattson in the 1950's. Luella Goes to Prom, Uncle John and Marvin's Sports Pictures and a Picnic

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello All,
Yesterday we spent some time with young Charles Ray in the late 1940's. Today we move in time to the 1950's, Spearfish, South Dakota.

I'm on summer break until August 17th. This gives me a chance to clean closets. In one closet I found boxes which hadn't seen the light of day in 18 years. A few of the old dusty boxes had photo albums belonging to Grandma Violet. I'll post pictures from those albums over the next several weeks.

Today we start with a photo of Luella Mattson (the Queen Mother).

Luella is 14 years old and dressed for Prom. The date, April 18, 1953. She was a Sophomore at Spearfish High School.


This picture was taken in October 1955 (Click on the pictures to enlarge). Uncle John played on the Spearfish 7th grade football team. He is 12 years old in this picture. He is sitting on the front row, third from the left.



This is a picture of the Spearfish Spartan Basketball Team. (Click on the picture to Enlarge). Who is that fella, front row far right? Yes, its Luella's brother - Uncle John. This picture was taken in March 1956. Uncle John was 13 years old.


The Spearfish Spartans Football Team (Click to Enlarge). Perhaps 1957. Uncle John is on the top row, far right. Just look for #1. He looks like an 9th grader perhaps. Look at the uniforms. Interesting.....At least they had pads.


Uncle John is #45 in this picture. Second row from the bottom, third from the left. Perhaps a Junior or Senior. This would be 1959 or 1960 perhaps.


Look closely at the young man wearing #3 on the front row. Does he look familiar? It's Uncle Marvin. Once again taken in the late 50's at Spearfish, South Dakota. (Click to enlarge).

Finally, we have a picture taken on July 4, 1956 (click to enlarge). Charles and Luella married a few weeks earlier. Laying down on the far right is Grandpa Walter Mattson. I believe Marvin Mattson is seated next to him. Linda Mattson is in the dark suit kneeling. They're on a picnic with some friends of the family in the Black Hills.

More pictures from the albums to follow in upcoming posts. Please feel free to comment and add information.

Victor