“On This Corner” # 4

By

Gerry Niskern

A gray granite building stands on the southeast corner of Central Ave and Monroe. Back in the l940’s, if your mother took you to the doctor or dentist, chances are his office was in that multi-storied Professional building that was the pride of valley residents.

When I was growing up in Phoenix the lobby of the Valley National Bank occupied that corner space.

I loved to make the trip uptown on the streetcar with mom when she deposited my dad’s paycheck. Together we pushed open the massive beveled glass and brass doors to the bank lobby. Polished marble covered the floor and walls of the elegant room with breathtaking high ceilings.

I don’t know why, but everyone spoke in hushed tones. While she waited in line for a teller, I clicked my heels across the marble floor to my favorite spot. I stood in front of a large wall mounted relief map of Arizona. I studied the mountains and valleys of our state with fascination because each town was designated by a gemstone. I longed to reach out and touch the red, blue and green stones and remember stealing furtive glances at the white haired bank guard who always stood beside the map. I thought his job was to guard those stones in the map!

The personnel offices for the bank were on one of the upper floors. I applied for my first job there. The Valley National Bank turned out to be a great place to work in the early l950’s.  There were only a couple of drawbacks. During Rodeo time when the vigilante for the Jaycees came up to “arrest” any of the girls who were not in western wear during rodeo week. They didn’t hesitate to drag out the girls who were hiding in the restroom.  Also, the vice-president requested a kiss from each of the girls in the office when he passed out their paychecks twice a month. Needless to say, the MeTooMovement hadn’t been heard of back then!

Years later,  my little toddler and I pushed open the heavy glass doors together.  I carried a heavy paper sack full of pennies from her piggy bank into the lobby. We were there to open her first savings account. But this time, I stood in line while she wandered over to look at the brilliant map. I was happy to see the same white-haired guard was still there guarding my precious stones!