Freddy

[Spence]

I will have to look in my dads old photos to see if he has any of the cartetakers house. In the thirties that dam was the drinking water supply for Nanaimo, and swimming was not allowed. He tells me of hot summer nights, going up there, sneaking in and swimming around the dam once to cool off. Had to swim very quietly so not to alert the caretaker. One of my vivid memories as a young kid swimming up there was a big guy named Freddy. He was about eighteen, and pretty heavy. He has a kids tricycle he would put under his arm, swim out to the tower and climb up. Memory is hazy but I think the platform at the top was about maybe 10x10. He would ride this trike from one side to the other and fall off into the water, only to repeat the process may times daily. Amusing to watch.

[AllieG]

Spence

OMG, I remember Freddy! He tried to paddle a kayak down the spillway. Luckily it got jammed or he would have gone straight down!

We used to spend practically our whole summers at the dam. Might be able to find some old photos as well. My dad was part of the group who got the dam changed into a park.

Allie

[BigMac]

That would be Fred Magrum. He had a brother too. They used to live on Hillcrest I believe. Used to strip cars down in the middle of the road out front of their house!!. Wasn't long ago that I saw him downtown, riding an electric scooter.

[Harewoodian]

I remember Freddy as well,I used to cut his lawn when I was younger.

Thanks for the great dam stories folks.

It's good to know that swimming wasn't allowed until (19??) I guess I won't find any really old coins up there with my metal detector.

My friend Ron Smid http://www.ronsmid.com/image_gallery/.php
found a 1955 quarter in the bush behind the washrooms last week with his metal detector.

[kickidee]

That would be Fred Magrum. He had a brother too. They used to live on Hillcrest I believe. Used to strip cars down in the middle of the road out front of their house!!. Wasn't long ago that I saw him downtown, riding an electric scooter.

An electric scooter? Not a medi chair? Dont know too may Freddies and dont know what his age would be but I think the one I used to chat with downtown lived a lot. Riding his trike off a platform etc wouldnt suprise me if he did it in his day.

[Smokey©]

Yes, Freddy Magrum was last seen on a medichair scooter. Luckly he was not going off the end of the short pier. Freddy would be on the top side of 55 years of age.

[BigMac]

An electric scooter? Not a medi chair? Dont know too may Freddies and dont know what his age would be but I think the one I used to chat with downtown lived a lot. Riding his trike off a platform etc wouldnt suprise me if he did it in his day.

Sorrie, I ment a Medi Chair. Didn't know the correct term?!!! Anyway, you haven't seen him in a while? Wasn't that long ago that I saw him, months perhaps? He would be in his 50's now, probably late 50's. I am sure we are talking about the same person. Don't like to say it , but I think he had some kind of disability, not sure. When you say , "lived alot" that would be Freddie!!!

[BigMac]

Yes, Freddy Magrum was last seen on a medichair scooter. Luckly he was not going off the end of the short pier. Freddy would be on the top side of 55 years of age.

Well spoken!!

[Spence]

Never heard the kayak story, but it fits. I think Freddy's last name was Magrum, still saw him around, but its been a few years. Last few times I saw him he was just as big if not bigger, and riding a little rascal scooter. I cannot find Harewood Land of Wakesiah anywhere in my place but have a few places yet left to search. I think we need to have another get together night with all the posters on this topic, when you are over in the fall. Posted this and then went back and read posts 36 to 41. It's been that kind of day. Freddy would probably be 60+ by now, cuz I'm gonna be 56. His brothers name was Ralph, and yes it was Hillcrest, just down the street from my aunt, who complained about everything, but found the brothers amusing??? Take care all, and I look forward to meeting all of you down the road.

[kickidee]

Well not to make this about Freddy but it is a small world to think I had him as a nieghbor for a time and chatted with him often. I could see him doing those risky things. Havnt seen him about recently. I was wondering about his health and whereabouts before I even read this interesting thread.