and begged for more time. While probably not apparent at the time, the death knell of the Lauritzen Implement Company, and many other long-established Fresno business houses, had been sounded. Out of the chaos of failure and near-failure were to came business reforms and federal regulations to insure against future repitition, but they were to be too late for many fine firms throughout California. In the six years between 1927 and 1933 the family fortunes steadily dwindled. Lauritz, now limping noticeably from an old leg injury, was further handicapped physically by an Internal adhesion suffered while lifting a young calf into a truck. He was frequently confused and greatly worried over the events that had crippled his thriving empire. Walter; in a move intended to lighten the load at Fresno and "H", moved the shop to cheaper and more accessible quarters, organizing the Lauritzen Coach and Body Company. The Lauritzen Implement Company, which had been re-organized into the Lauritzen Company, was now shrunk to only a fourth of its former floor arean concentrating almost entirely on hardware, pumps and pump repairs. Louis, the third eon, left school and intermittently participated in the business venture. Storage space was rented to Fresno auto dealers, but the once bustling shops, basement and autc and implement display rooms stood empty and dusty. Still the greatest blow was to fall. The Great Depression that swept through America and the rest of the world in the early '30's, reached its greatest impact on California in 1932-33-34. William, sincerely devoted to his father and all his family, adjusted, phenagled and connlved to keep the business alive and support the family. Louise had married, Laura had taken a teaching position, and Walter was immersed in a struggle to survive. Louis found a position with another firm and Robert entered newspaper work. But the "store" was still the main source of revenue. The Lauritzen Hardware Company replaced The Lauritzen Company, but each painful and emergency step fell short. Foreclosures were entered against the store building, against the family home. And Lauritz, sick in heart and spirit, slowed now in physical ability, spent less and less time participating in the business, although each day saw him at the scene of his former triumphs. William, with Louis again on hand, and Herbert assisting in the pump repair work, moved the business north on If Street and there a short period of prosperity (comparative) was enjoyed when Louis obtained many work contracts with the government involving the Civilian Conservation Corps For a while the family, now moved to a rented home on White Avenue, stayed nearly even with expenses, but income from the business was spotty. and widely distributed, A sentimental blow occurred in 1935 when the former family home, purchased from Bullard and transformed into a night club after foreclosure, burned to the ground as a huge crowd, remembering past glories of both adult and youthful parties, watched in stricken silence. Soon after, Anne Lauritzen, tired and worn from years of toll and concern, admitted to an ever-increasing pain in her body, and entered a hospital for major surgery that severely taxed her remaining strength. As the year 1937 was ushered in, it became obvious to the older Lauritzen children that Lauritz and Anne deserved a little rest and quiet after the tumultous years. And so, not entirely in- voluntarily, the parents were established in a home at Pacific Grove, a favorite summer resort when the family was affluent, and to all intents and purposes, Laurltz Lauritzen had "retired". Page ; , OCR Text: and begged for more time. While probably not apparent at the time, the death knell of the Lauritzen Implement Company, and many other long-established Fresno business houses, had been sounded. Out of the chaos of failure and near-failure were to came business reforms and federal regulations to insure against future repitition, but they were to be too late for many fine firms throughout California. In the six years between 1927 and 1933 the family fortunes steadily dwindled. Lauritz, now limping noticeably from an old leg injury, was further handicapped physically by an Internal adhesion suffered while lifting a young calf into a truck. He was frequently confused and greatly worried over the events that had crippled his thriving empire. Walter; in a move intended to lighten the load at Fresno and "H", moved the shop to cheaper and more accessible quarters, organizing the Lauritzen Coach and Body Company. The Lauritzen Implement Company, which had been re-organized into the Lauritzen Company, was now shrunk to only a fourth of its former floor arean concentrating almost entirely on hardware, pumps and pump repairs. Louis, the third eon, left school and intermittently participated in the business venture. Storage space was rented to Fresno auto dealers, but the once bustling shops, basement and autc and implement display rooms stood empty and dusty. Still the greatest blow was to fall. The Great Depression that swept through America and the rest of the world in the early '30's, reached its greatest impact on California in 1932-33-34. William, sincerely devoted to his father and all his family, adjusted, phenagled and connlved to keep the business alive and support the family. Louise had married, Laura had taken a teaching position, and Walter was immersed in a struggle to survive. Louis found a position with another firm and Robert entered newspaper work. But the "store" was still the main source of revenue. The Lauritzen Hardware Company replaced The Lauritzen Company, but each painful and emergency step fell short. Foreclosures were entered against the store building, against the family home. And Lauritz, sick in heart and spirit, slowed now in physical ability, spent less and less time participating in the business, although each day saw him at the scene of his former triumphs. William, with Louis again on hand, and Herbert assisting in the pump repair work, moved the business north on If Street and there a short period of prosperity (comparative) was enjoyed when Louis obtained many work contracts with the government involving the Civilian Conservation Corps For a while the family, now moved to a rented home on White Avenue, stayed nearly even with expenses, but income from the business was spotty. and widely distributed, A sentimental blow occurred in 1935 when the former family home, purchased from Bullard and transformed into a night club after foreclosure, burned to the ground as a huge crowd, remembering past glories of both adult and youthful parties, watched in stricken silence. Soon after, Anne Lauritzen, tired and worn from years of toll and concern, admitted to an ever-increasing pain in her body, and entered a hospital for major surgery that severely taxed her remaining strength. As the year 1937 was ushered in, it became obvious to the older Lauritzen children that Lauritz and Anne deserved a little rest and quiet after the tumultous years. And so, not entirely in- voluntarily, the parents were established in a home at Pacific Grove, a favorite summer resort when the family was affluent, and to all intents and purposes, Laurltz Lauritzen had "retired". Page ; , Heritage Society of Pacific Grove,Historical Collections,Names of People about town,E through F File names,L through M File Names,Lauritzen,LAURITZEN_007.pdf,LAURITZEN_007.pdf 1 Page 1, Tags: LAURITZEN_007.PDF, LAURITZEN_007.pdf 1 Page 1