By Willie Mine Midgett
In the early 1940's a businessman would
begin a busline in the Joelton, Union
Hill, and Whites Creek areas. This was a
small bus, similar to an old school bus,
painted blue and white. Very few
automobiles were seen traveling the roads
in those years.
It was just after the Great Depression
and during World War II. The war would
take the young men away for military
service which created a need for women to
work in factories, offices, etc., like
Rosie the Riveter. The Suburban Bus would
be a lifesaver since for many it was the
only means of commuting to and from work.
The Suburban was also a means for many
men in military service to make the long
trip from Nashville home when furlough
time came. Friendships were made through
contacts on the Suburban and romances
developed that lasted a lifetime.
One little lady from around the bend had
a guitar which she would pick and plunk
and sing to entertain herself as well as
a bunch of tired and sleepy passengers on
the bus. Her favorite and only tune,
which she named, was "Rabbit in the
Log." So this song was repeated
hundreds of times during the long trip
home.
People
were expected to arrive for work on
time, so in winter weather snows on the
Devil's Elbow, Hawk Hill, and other steep
and winding roads would make it difficult
for the Suburban to make its rounds and
arrive to suit the boss' time schedule.
When the bus could not get up the Elbow
or Hawk Hill because of ice and snow,
everyone on board would get out and help
push the bus up the hill. (Devil's Elbow
is the hairpin turn on Whites Creek Pike
approaching the incline to The Ridge.
Hawk Hill is on Crocker Springs Road near
Union Hill Road.)
The bus station was located at Third
Avenue and Deaderick Street adjacent to
the then Gilbert's Men's Clothing Store,
so people waiting to ride the bus could
be seen standing along the sidewalks
waiting for the bus to make its journey
home at 6:00 p.m. If someone was late
arriving, the driver would wait for him.
The "spirits" were rationed
during war times, but somehow a couple of
passengers would seem to find enough to
create a happy hour for themselves on the
way home.
One of the passengers who lived in
Tranham would always carry a sack over
his shoulder with smelly items such as
onions, garlic, etc. However with the
many women working they were able to buy
things they had never been able to have
before. McLellan's on Fifth Avenue sold
Apple Blossom Perfume for 10 cents a
bottle and Juicy Fruit Chewing Gum for a
penny, so when this permeated the air on
the bus, it offset any foul odor of the
spirits, onions, and such.
By
1945, the war would end and the little
Suburban had served well to get workers
to their jobs and had helped to bring
many soldiers home from the war again
safe and sound. At this time the Suburban
Bus became history, but it is still
discussed occasionally and will live in
the memories of those who were fortunate
enough to ride it.
The Greyhound Bus replaced the Surburban
Bus but it never covered the territory in
the hills and hollows of Joelton as did
the Surburban.
So we salute the little Surburban for its
performance and job well done at a time
when it was much needed in the community.
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