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THURSDAY
Community
JUNE 2, 2005
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Clermont Harbor: A State of Mi
Historic neighborhood once known as ‘Riviera-to-be’
BY BENNIE SHALLBETTER Staff Writer
Back when Clermont Harbor was being promoted in New Orleans as the Riveria-to-be, Charles Hopkins bought fourteen lots along the beach for $3,853.62, an exorbitant amount in 1913. The site would become the location of the Clermont Harbor Hotel. In September of 1915 the hotel had its first bout with a hurricane, sustaining heavy damage. In 1926 the reconstructed hotel had another grand opening on the Fourth of July.
When the hotel reopened in 1946 after yet one more renovation, it was lined with oleander bushes and the rooms sported new mattresses stuffed with Spanish moss. They must have added fuel to the fire that destroyed the building early on June 2 of that same year, just one day after Russel Guerin’s father Wilfred realized his lifelong dream of opening the hotel again.
Millie and Ina Usher and their brother August “Bubbv" Usher Jr. would likely' have been classed with the “country kids”, a term Russell Guerin used for the full time residents of the community. It was an experience unique to seashore towns, where the “summer people” who returned year after year became fast friends.
Millie, the firstborn in the family, was actually born in Ansl^ but the family moved in with her grandparents J.P. and Henrietta Usher at their home on the harbor when Millie was just one year old.
Her parents Mildred O’Farrell Usher ( and later Savard) of Lakeshore and August Usher later moved the family into a house on Oak St. and then again to the corner of Oak and Railroad, where Ina Day lives today. The location was an excellent spot for a gas station and car repair shop that August ran. It was pur-
Millie Usher enjoys the view of the harbor from Russell Guerins dock at Clermont Harbor.
chased from the Schlona family, Ina says, who wanted the land to go to a family who would open a business.
Other businesses were dotted around the neighborhood, Garcia’s Grocery,
Bankston's Snowball Stand,
Buddy Haverty’s Harley motorcycle shop, and Annabelle Procter’s dress shop, which moved from Forest to Bordage Ave., were some that the two women remember.
Millie began her schooling at the Clermont Harbor Elementary School the first
Echo staff photo by Bennie Shallbetter
grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, children and grandchildren gathered around forming a tight knit close community. With friends and familiar summer families filling most of the area it lent an air of safety and a protected environment that allowed children the freedom to roam. Neighbors looked out for neighbors, as they still do, Millie says, and it was easy to feel comfortable and secure.
“This is a place where you can find peace,” said Millie. “I think that is the ultimate goal ... w^hile other people count their money;
neighborhoc miles and n roses, wistei and azalea thought az vine. It was women were were gentler “We had go where e-to,” Millie gave us a lot raised us bi self. (Augus' went their when the young and remarried C who came i the Corps of But even was a lot Mildred sti expectations Millie says, j command th ior without e voice or giv: ings.
Play days fishing and strings, roan es, bicycles, vals, and of the biggest marbles. “W marbles,” M children staj till the com season ran days were fil sports event; and of coui Sunday. Mill grand mothi the found Clermont He Church.
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