The Brownes and the Bleeckers - Highland Park in the 1930s

I emailed Jackson Browne's brother, Severin, today. Here's why:

Hello,

I’m writing to Severin about the Bleeckers in Highland Park. I would really appreciate if you could take the time to read this amazing story.

My family is quite charmed by Severin’s historic family home, Abbey San Encino. My mother remembers playing across the street from the home in the 1960s with Lois Kinder’s children. The Kinders would gaze from the sidewalk hoping to see Jackson Browne emerging, but my mother was more interested in the possibility of being invited inside to see the mummy that was rumored to be stored in the basement.

My grandmother, Patricia Bleecker Winton, is turning eighty years old this March, and her (extremely big!) family wants to do something extra special for her.

For years, she has been telling us stories about growing up in Highland Park. She recalls sitting amid the purple wisteria on Hayes Avenue and drinking lemonade. She tells us all about living with her grandmother, Una Stokes, while her family broke through the Great Depression. But her fondest memory is Mr. Browne.

Being of polite stock, my grandmother only called Clyde “Mr. Browne.” She held Mr. Browne in high regard. He had a print shop in his house and he used to give her little tablets of paper all the time. What a treasure during the hard times of the Depression! He made her feel so special.

When Mr. Browne got married, the wedding took place in the chapel he built with the house. At the time, my grandmother was between four and six years old, and she was definitely the cutest little girl in the neighborhood. She was so precious that Mr. Browne invited her to be the flower girl in his wedding… and she happily obliged.

As she ages, she recounts this time in her life more and more often. It’s clear that Highland Park in the 1930s was the best time of her life. 

Can you help us commemorate her happiest years? We were wondering if you happened to have any photos from “Mr. Browne’s wedding.” We would love to be able to show my grandmother a picture of herself as the flower girl, Patsy-Ann. Seeing that day once again would easily be one of the most remarkable gifts we could give her.

The Browne family has a special place in my grandmother’s heart. The proof is in her garden: 10 years ago, she moved from Lakewood, California to Braselton, Georgia… and she took with her the calla lily bulbs Mr. Browne gave her over fifty years ago.

Thanks so much for your time. If you’re unable to help us, we understand. We still treasure the stories of Highland Park!

Sincerely,

Wendy [(S R B W P) F]

I hope he responds.