It is no secret around here that I love retro signs, but when you run into one that has a little bit of family history, its special (at least to me!). A couple of weekends ago my youngest aunt turned 60 and my parents and all my mother’s siblings came into town to celebrate. The venue for the surprise party was the bar photographed above called Club Tac in Crockett (California).
And while I was there for my Mom’s side of the family, it actually has a little bit of history with my Dad’s. I mentioned before that my grandfather was an ironworker who worked on the Golden Gate Bridge. He worked on most of the bridges in the San Francisco Bay Area including the Carquinez Bridge which passes over Crockett. I visited my grandmother the afternoon before the surprise party and when I told her we were heading to Club Tac she said my grandpa used to hang out there!
In 1957 he began working on the Carquinez Bridge which he would continue to do for three years, the swing shift to be exact. He didn’t just work on it, but under it, 135 feet underwater. When the shift was over the crew used to head over to Club Tac for a drink, my grandma said coffee, but with the conditions the way they were, I am thinking it was something a little stronger!
How about you? Does your family history fascinate you? Ever been surprised to find out something was tied to your own family history?
That is super cool!! I’m always surprised when I learn something new about my family history. I just learned the other day that my dad loved to go shooting with his dad and grandpa…and that grandpa was an incredible shot. Had a .22 rifle (tiny bullets, hard to aim) and would pick birds out of the air for dinner. One shot per bird, every time.
Whoa.
@Kristin, wow! Don’t rub your grandpa the wrong way!
My grandfather was the mayor of a very small town in New Mexico. He was elected when he promised to close the local “house of ill repute” which I’m told the movie, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, was based on. He also had stills for making whiskey (he was from Kentucky) all around his house outside and my very religious grandmother was push them over if she found them.
Andi, so glad that you have learned more history about your family. Club Tac is still the local watering hole. With Dinner every Wednesday Night. Anyone wanting to venture out and try some small town food Club Tac Steak Nigh on Wednesday it the place.
@Linda, how fascinating! I love that!
@Joanne, wow EPIC moment, a family member has actually commented on my blog – thanks!
Family history is so interesting! Thanks for linking up!
Andi, So happy you posted in my WW! Glad to have you.
Thanks for linking up. Family history is always interesting!
I love this story. It’s Americana in its finest. Working underwater to make a bridge happen. What a gift from an older generation. I asked my mom about old neon signs recently and she mentioned the ones with martini glasses with the stir sticks that flickered. It made me homesick for all the things she remembers, but has never told me about. If that makes sense.
@Jen, I love these stories too, unfortunately, the relatives in my life who are able to tell them are becoming fewer and fewer as they age, so each new discovery is special!
Hi Andi! I love retro signs too. They’re just not the same these days. Sorry it took me so long to reply from last week’s WW. Have a great week
Paula
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