These Trees At The Back Of The Property Are All That Remain of Mr. Roy S. Fixsen’s Welding Shop. “Progress” Has Eliminated Both the Shop & All the Big Trees Mentioned by the Narrator.
…This Is The Location Of The ~1968 Roy S. Fissen Welding Shop, North Of The Rogue River.
…“ Down the street I find a welder’s sign and enter. .. Cleanest welding place I’ve ever seen. Great high trees and deep grass line an open space in back, giving a kind of village-smithy appearance. All the tools are hung up with care, everything tidy, but no one is home. I’ll come back later. .. I wheel back and stop for Chris, check the laundry he’s put in the drier …. ” (Cont. Next)
Back of property, 954 Sixth Street SW, Business District, Grants Pass, OR. We may assume that “Down the street” meant just downhill from the motorcycle repair “ parts man” place, which perhaps would be ~two blocks North of the Rogue River, perhaps on present day NE 6h Street.
…Local people seem to agree that the Welding Shop of Mr. Roy S. Fixsen’s shop is the best candidate for the Narrator’s ”ultra clean” description.
…Mr. Fixsen’s shop was literally downhill from the rest of the town, nearer to the Rogue River, at 954 (South?) Sixth Street SW.
…Contrary to most of the towns on the ZMM Route, Grants Pass has had sufficient “Progress” to seemingly erase all evidence of any “Down the street“ welding shop.
…If you have additional information or want to suggest other places for the ZMM Grants Pass Welder’s shop, please contact me. Many thanks go to the Grants Pass Historical Society for their timely assistance.
Why Does The ZMM Narrator Say => “A Kind Of Village-Smithy Appearance?”
…Properly educated English Language persons should immediately recognize the lines of Cambridge, MA Poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1807-1882. More Information, and especially good photo of Poet, Click Here.
……
Under a spreading chestnut-tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands,
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.
……
For The Full Poem “The Village Blacksmith”, Click Here.
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(Photo = 115-1501c ...... ZMM Page = 319 ...... WayPt = 404w 0931ft)
