2020.08.27 THROW BACK """RAINY""" THURSDAY - DESIGNING WOMEN plus CLASS NEWS
THROW BACK """RAINY""" THURSDAY - DESIGNING WOMEN plus CLASS NEWS
On September 11, 1842, future Little Rock Alderman Angelo Marre was born in Borzonaca, Italy. He immigrated to Tennessee with his parents in 1854.
During the Civil War, he served in the Confederate Army. From 1865 to 1868, Angelo Marre worked for the Memphis Police Department but was forced to resign after he was accused of killing a man during an argument. After his acquittal, he returned to the saloon business. In 1872 Marre was convicted of stealing money and sentenced to three years in prison.
Tennessee Governor John Brown granted Marre a full pardon two years into his sentence, and he regained his citizenship in 1879.
After getting out of prison, he claimed an inheritance and joined his brothers in Little Rock. He worked as a bartender at the Metropolitan Hotel. He later opened a saloon and billiard parlor.
By the mid-1880s, Marre owned two saloons, a liquor import business, an office building in downtown LR, 3,000 sharesof stock in mining companies operating in Garland and Montgomery counties, and he was the first president of Edison Electric Company of LR.
In 1883, he was elected as an alderman on the Little Rock City Council. He lost is bid for reelection in 1885. In 1888, he was an unsuccessful candidate for Pulaski County Sheriff.
Angelo Marre died February 18, 1889, as a result of his infection. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in LR. His custom designed, marble monument was ordered from Florence, Italy, and cost $5,000.
Marre is probably best known today as the builder of the structure now known as the Villa Marre. Built in 1881, it is designed in the Italianate and Second Empire styles. It was built in 1881 and 1882 on Block 21, Lots 5 & 6 of the Original City of Little Rock. The cost was $5,000.
It was originally a red brick structure and has been modified and expanded several times as well as painted white. It did not bear the name Villa Marre until the 1960s when historic preservation advocate Jimmy Strawn gave it that name.
The Villa Marre is probably best known locally and nationally for serving as the facade for the Sugarbaker design firm on the CBS sitcom “Designing Women.” Though the interior of the house does not match the interior on TV, the building was featured in the opening credits as well as in exterior shots each week.
CLASS NEWS
Our sympathy to Kitty Kirkpatrick in the death of her husband, Jim Tardy, this week. They had been married for 56 years.
Don't forget to send me those Wedding Anniversary pictures and dates!!!!
Think I forgot to say Happy Birthday to Mooser last Thursday!!!
Kirk Tompkins, Bill Goodman, Louie Allred, Betty Willis, Carmelita McConnell, Owen Curry and Mary Kell have turned the page of another year.
Jerry Coker, Buddby(?) Russenberger, Betty Chandler, "Gwen and Lynn" - Gwen Shepherd and Lynn Parlin - THE GOOD OLE DAYS!
West Side Cheerleaders, Circa 1951-52. Recognize anyone? 4 from our Class. Double-click to enlarge
ML