Out of

   the Past

   . . . into the present 

Recollections of Byron Eisner

Kerman - My Home Town

It is said that a soft spot forever remains in ones heart for their first girlfriend or boyfriend, as the case may be.

I also believe another tender area exists for a persons home town.

Daughter Karen saved an August 9, 2005 article from the "Fresno Bee" which she thought I would find newsworthy.  With wide eyed astonishment, I read the bold headline, "Kerman A Boom Town," I reread it, thinking, my Kerman, a boom town?

The piece went on to report the city's population surged 33% in five years with more growth planned.  The number of Kermanites now stands at 12,250 strong.  A 55 unit motel is planned and another motel remodeled and expanded, in the early 1930's  when the Eisners arrived in the Kerman area the entire population in the city could easily fit into these two facilities alone.  It was interesting to learn that one of the fastest growing populations is the last Indian community the Punjabi now make up about 10% of Kermans population.  I recall Kerman as a melting pot of nationalities and races but nary an east Indian at that time.

The town now has a drive up coffee shop, I guess it replaced the old Kerman Drive Inn.  A 18,500 square foot health clinic is in place, a long way from old "Doc" drakes private practice in his home.  I hope progress and growth haven't compromised service that the previous merchants once provided.  Folks like; Herb Wyatt's Jewelry Store (where I purchased a wedding ring 45 years ago), Booty Steffen at the filling station, Ace Super Market's Gilbert and Hay Lee Yee, or "Pinky" Schaffer's local garage, and the lumber yard run by A.J. Crow, or the local watering hole, "Reno's Club."

15% of the general fund is now earmarked for recreation.  Our recreation consisted of visits to the tow local drive-ins, Perinnos Bowling at Reno's Bowling alley, where the pins were hand set, hunting fishing and whatever we could dream up without getting into trouble.  And it didn't cost the city one thin dime!

There was civic pride for sure, like the Kerman community band, made up of folks like farmer Henry Salwasser blowing his French horn and insurance agent Jack Fries leading the group as drum major.  The parade route through town wasn't honored with stop lights either, there were none, in fact there were no stop signs at all!

Communications were adequate but sometimes you had to wait for the six party telephone line to free up.  But while waiting you could always listen in to catch up on the local gossip.

I don't intend to sound cynical but I realize a longing for the town I remember from my youth.  I hold memories of Kerman which stay behind to firmly anchor many of my family histories and will always remain a touch stone to my past.

May the Kerman I once knew, rest in peace.

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