In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Clarence Dees operated a combination grocery store and gasoline station located on the east side of Main Street, across from the Glardon Grocery Store, which became Don's Carry-Out.

The Dees family moved to California and the Dees connection to Darrtown seemed lost forever.

Then, in early March 2009, Fay (Dees) O'Brien "re-connected" with Darrtown - thanks to her life-long friend from grade school, Jewel (Yauger) Hayes. The two had stayed in touch, ever since 1952, when the Dees family moved from Darrtown.

In early 2009, Jewel urged Fay to visit the Darrtown.com website. Subsequently, Fay contacted the Darrtown.com webmaster; which led to Fay contributing the following images. Thanks to Fay and the photography work of her brother, Bob, we offer the following pictorial glimpse into the Dees family part of Darrtown history.

Bob Dees gets credit for shooting the majority of photos displayed on this page - which were taken from a variety of locations in Darrtown. Unless otherwise noted, all persons named in the following images were identified through notes in Bob Dees' photo album.

BELOW: This image above shows the interior of the Dees Grocery Store. Clarence Dees, owner and operator of Dees Grocery, is seen standing at the left. Seated is Bill Clark. Standing at the right is Clyde "Junior" Wagonfield.

The placard on the wall advertises a "50-50 Dance on Friday, March 3 at Darrtown the K of P Hall - Caller: S. Niehoff"

BELOW: The exterior of the Dees Grocery Store appears in this image. Standing at the front entrance of the store is Carole Davish. This photograph was dated "1949."

LEFT: Carole Davish, Carrie Bowling, and Joanne Dees are shown in the 1951 photo.

The three girls are standing in the Dees Grocery parking lot facing (east) toward the Dees store.

Looking west (and across the street from the Dees store) is the Wyckoff grocery store, whihc would become the Glardon grocery store, which later became Don's Carry-Out.

Note the gasoline pump in front of the Wyckoff store.

ABOVE: Jean Kelly is shown walking toward the Dees Grocery Store in this 1950's snapshot. Jean was one of Constable Owen Kelly's three daughters.

The Hitching Post tavern appears beyond the column of stones and across the street (State Route 177, Darrtown's main street). The Wyckoff residence (south portion of the Wyckoff Grocery Store) appears at the right.

ABOVE: Delores Browning is shown mowing with a "push" lawn mower in this 1949 photo.

The Brownings lived in the house located in the southeast corner of the Apple and Main street intersection - immediately north of the Dees Grocery store.

The Brownings' barn appears in background of this photo. This structure sat on the south side of Apple Street, just east of Main Street.

Fay Dees reported that she and others really enjoyed the Concord grapes that grew on the Browning's grape arbor that is shown in this photo.