It really wasn’t the first Mobile home; there were several similar mobile homes during the depression and dust bowl days, but this was the first and only Mobile home belonging to the Ben Hardisty family. It was 1936 and times were tough in Eastern New Mexico, the bottom of the dust bowl. Ben was working odd jobs: cattle inspector for USDA, hauling things, occasionally doing work at the sales barn.
“Ben,” said a friend who was working with him at the stockyards, “You’re a really good worker. I know you could get a job in Fresno. I just got back and they are hiring people left and right!” “Well, it sure is something to think about,” replied a tired and frustrated Ben.
That night after supper Ben talked it over with Dolly, his wife. “Where will we get the money?” Dolly asked. She was always worried about money. On the other hand she really would like to go to California. She had an aunt living in Colton and had heard reports that it was beautiful. “Well,” Ben replied after some moments of deep thought, “my WWI pension is due to come in, that will be a big help. I’ll see what else I can do.”
The days following were spent readying the livered (rusted) bob-tailed truck with it’s 3 ft. high sideboards. They covered them with a canvas and a garden variety of rugs, blankets, tarps and tow sacks were spread on the truck bed. A couch, chair, benches and boxes were added for storage and sitting. A homemade chuck box containing cooking supplies was a final item. Voila! A Mobile Home!
Ben, making the most of slim opportunities, contracted to take the Fitzgerald family as far as Tularosa. So, very early one late spring day, the Fitzgerald’s and their five hopeful children, along with Ben and Dolly, their five children and baby Helen Lee and Grandad Preuit climbed aboard and headed southwest.
After dropping off the Fitzgerald’s, the Hardisty kids and Grandad spread out, welcoming the extra space, ready to go again. “Now,” Ben said, “we’re going to St. David, Arizona to visit Aunt Mabel and Uncle Sam.” The trip through the arid desert land of Western NM and Eastern Arizona was long, slow and boring. But once in St. David, a village on the San Pedro River, everyone was happy. Dolly was relieved to let Helen slide off her lap and run and play, with Lucy to watch after her. Ben rested while the boys explored the grounds. John Paul was fascinated with the peacocks and years later, still fascinated, he would take me to Hillcrest Park to see the peacocks, their beauty spread in an open fan.
Grandma Lucy, Ben’s mother, who was visiting her daughter, Mabel, decided to go with them. She thought, "If Mr. Preuit can go, then so can I.” On the road again, they headed to Colton for a stop at Aunt Fanny’s, Grandad Preuit’s sister. Colton was another fun place, especially for the older boys. Benny, John and Jerry enjoyed a new experience riding the trolley to San Bernardino to go swimming.
In Fresno they had more swimming adventures. It was pretty and green with a large full river. Benny said he thought he’d died and gone to heaven. However things did not go so well. Since Ben had a job prospect he went to rent a house. The man in charge said, “We don’t rent to anyone with dogs or kids!” Ben got mad and hooked it on up to Yosemite, heading to Eugene, Oregon. When Ben loaded them up again and said they were leaving California, Benny was terribly disappointed.
The first night out they stopped and camped at the roadside. Grandad proclaimed he was the expert campfire maker so he piled the wood high and started the fire. And a good solid stack it was too but when he put the torch to it, the entire ditch went up in flames. No injuries occurred but a lot of excitement ensued with kids jumping around stomping out fires. A five year old Lucy was very scared. Years later Dan was asked if he remembered anything about the Mobile Home trip. He said, “ I don’t remember anything but the fire.” “The fire?” someone asked. “Yes, Grandad set fires in three states!” He didn’t though because Ben took over, chose the spots and made the campfires along with a mean pot of cowboy coffee.
Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge was started in 1933 but was not finished until 1937 so the Hardistys, with their Mobile Home were thrilled to ride across the Bay at San Francisco on a ferry. Lucy remembers Grandad taking her and Dan to a concession stand to buy them Hershey kisses.
On Highway 1, the Coast Highway, they had more thrills. The road was chancy and perilous, the truck was fragile and its power weak. Many times they thought they were going to roll back down over a cliff!
Finally at Eugene they visited with Grandad Preuit’s brother Jim’s children. One of them had a farm and Dolly loved it there. On then to Sunnyside, Washington, to Uncle Louis’s, grandad Preuit’s brother. It was another lovely place that Dolly liked. All kinds of berry vines grew in the ditches and the kids could eat all the berries they wanted-a rare treat for southwestern kids! Uncle Louis was building frames to carry water to irrigate and Ben and Grandad worked with him on this project.
After time well spent there, Ben knew school would be starting soon so he loaded the family again and the Hardisty Mobile Home made its way back to Portales and the dry, dusty southwest.
(The travelers: The Hardisty’s-Ben, Dolly, Benny, John, Jerry, Lucy, Dan, baby Helen; Grandma Lucy Hardisty and Grandad Preuit.)
*Written in October 2018*
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