This is a continuation of
the September 12th post where cousin Gary Coronado interviewed our
Aunt Toots on April 16, 1984 about her early life in the Coronado family in
Vallejo, California.[1]
Q. Where did you kids go to school? What was it like?
A. Frank, Celia and I went to Vallejo High. We also went to Saint Vincent’s. I can remember walking along the railroad
tracks to school. Our parents made us
walk this route because it was safe. It
would take about two hours. We would
stop to meet classmates at Flosden Acres. After school we would go to visit Jimmy and
Juanita[2] on Kentucky Street. Sometimes, if it was late we would stay
overnight. Most of the time, however,
Papa would pick us up in the afternoon and drive us home. And sometimes, he would drive us to school in
the morning.
Q. What special memories do you have? What did you do
for family fun? Vacations?
A. The ordinary things that families do. I loved Christmas. Because Dolph[3] was a young and successful
businessman, he would make things special for us. He would dress as Santa Claus, dropping off
candy, a stack of bananas, oranges, etc. In particular, he would take great care to see
that Celia and I had a special day.
Since the restaurant and bar was part of our home,
there was never any mystery to drinking. Papa would say, “You can have anything you
want to drink.” Celia and I never liked
the taste of liquor. I did, occasionally
like the taste of a Creme de Menthe drink.
Jimmy and Juanita would take Papa, Mama, and us to
Monterey for a holiday. We would stay in
a hotel. I also recall travelling to San
Luis Obispo for a vacation.
Q. Was our family poor? Wealthy?
A. Well, Gary, Papa was a very able businessman. The fact was, however, he had ten kids. He had to be successful in order to provide
for us. Most of our needs were provided
for by our ranch. We had chickens to
provide us with eggs, ducks, a milk cow, peacocks, canaries, and a garden. He also butchered his own meat.
We always had plenty to eat. We had beans for breakfast, bean sandwich for
lunch and more beans for dinner! That
was all right with me because I liked Mama’s beans!
Q. Any particular event in your young life that comes
to mind?
A. When I was about fifteen, we had a tragic fire. It completely destroyed the Inn. It was caused by defective wiring. While the Inn was being rebuilt, we had to
live in a tent near an orchard. The new
Inn was smaller. Later, Papa built a
home on our property. It was north of
the Inn.
Q. Did you ever go to the Sulfur Springs Hotel[4]
to visit our relatives?
A. Indeed. It was a glorious place.
There was a stage that transported tenants
from town. Manuel Madrid was the owner. He was a nice, pleasant Spanish man - quiet,
soft spoken. A perfect host and
businessman. He and his wife had a very
good business sense. They were very
successful.
They also bottled and sold mineral water that came
from the Blue Rock Springs. It had
medicinal qualities. They shipped it all
over the U.S. It didn’t have a sulfur
taste to it. It really tasted very good!
All of the Madrid family lived on the resort grounds: Babe,
Frank and Manuel. Also the girls,
Angelina and Carmelita.
Many “big shots” gathered and stayed there. Also prize fighters used the hotel and
facilities for training.
As kids we often visited for family gatherings - mostly,
picnics. We always enjoyed the
excitement of the resort.
Q. What was your first business venture?
A. I opened a restaurant a short distance from Papa's
Inn. It was south of our home, toward
Vallejo and on the opposite side of the Napa Road. It evolved into a good business in a short
time. I called it “Toot’s Barbecue”. People enjoyed coming for dinner. I served good, hearty meals. Twenty-five cents for breakfast! It was good experience for my future
restaurant venture at Russian River.
O. What was Paul like when he was young? Kay? Johnnie
Junior?[5]
 |
| Toots' daughter, Kay |
 |
| None of the cousins wanted their picture taken! Back row: Juanita & John Jr. Front row: Jane, Jim, Kay, Paul [6] |
A. They were all wonderful kids. Paul
was the reliable one. He was very protective.
He would wind the clock and lock all the
doors at night. Sometimes, Kay would
come home late and not be able to get in! I had to chase all the boys away from
Kay. We always had to wash Junior’s
hands and face. He liked to play in the
dirt! Mama would not allow him to have
dinner until he washed. They all got
along well together.
[1]
Adapted from The Coronado Newsletter,
May 1994
[2]
James (Jimmy) Coronado was Toots’ brother.
Juanita was Jimmy’s wife.
[3]
Dolph Coronado was Toots’ oldest brother.
[4]
The Sulfur Springs Hotel was a few miles from the Coronado family property and
was owned and operated by Manual Madrid & his wife Angelita Coronado
Madrid. Angelita was the oldest child of
Loretto and Guadalupe Coronado and the sister of Mariano Coronado, my
grandfather, and Toots’ “Papa”.
[5]
Paul and Kay (Kathleen) are the son and daughter of Marian (Toots) Coronado
Orsi. John Junior was the son of John
(Doc) Coronado, Toots’ brother.
[6] Juanita, Jane and Jim are children of James (Jimmy) and Juanita Coronado. John Jr. was the son of John (Doc) Coronado. Kay and Paul are the children of Toots. Photo was taken by James Coronado about 1933.
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