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Please email me with inf. about Larry Hightower wheelbarrow pusher around the world country.spirit@hotmail.com Holly's new email

About Larry Hightower's wheelbarrow journey

Larry Hightower began pushing his wheel barrow the 4th of July 1946 starting in his hometown of Ellensburg, Washington State. His purpose he said is "to establish a world's record for wheelbarrow pushing and to preach against communism in the schools and colleges." Larry has lectured in 323 schools and colleges around the country. He has wore out 19 pairs of shoes and 1,342 pairs of socks and one badly frayed tire, as of 1 October 1950. He went through 20 pairs of shoes, 21 pairs of dungarees, 11 jackets and 4 pairs of rubber wheelbarrow handle-grips. He shook hands with 16 governors and took part in several radio and television programs.

After completing more than 28,000 miles covering every state, including Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, climbing Pikes Peak Larry Hightower returned to Ellensburg Washington in November 1950 greeted with the Central Washington college band and city manager James E. Morrison gave Hightower the key to the city and merchants gave him a variety of gifts. One gift was a new wheelbarrow Hightower declined, with thanks.

Larry marries 2nd time to Margaret E. Desco

4 August 1958 Larry Hightower marries Margaret E. Desco in Ellensburg, Washington State. Shown in this photo Larry pushes Margaret down the street in his famous wheel barrow. Margaret Beliveau is a witness at the wedding and Forrest Watts. After living in Ellensburg, Larry and Margaret live out their remaining days in Michigan. They are both burried at Crestwood Memorial Cemetery 2020 E. Hill Rd. in Grand Blanc, Genesee County, Michigan.

Lawrence "Larry" Hightower Wheel Barrow Pusher

Does anyone still living remember Larry Hightower the famous Wheel Barrow Pusher around the world in 4 July 1946 to about 1950? He was my great grandfather. I have been researching him for a year now. He donated his wheel barrow and his log books and flags and photos to the VFW Post 8326 in Flint, Michigan in the 1970's. I have found his wheel barrow, but his log books of his journey and photos and flags are missing. A past historian's family may have them or know what happened to them. My family would like to recover them to be put in a museum along with his wheel barrow. Please email me if you know what happened to his wheel barrow memorabilla, or know where it might be located. Please email if you have a story to share about him and his journey, or remember him personally. I would love to hear from the world what they knew about my great grandfather Larry Hightower the famous wheel barrow pusher from Ellensburg, Washington, originally born in Coal Creek, Tennessee to Jessie Evelyn Kesterson and Barstow William Hightower of Tennessee. He also lived sometime in Montana as a cowpuncher. His mom Jessie AKA Bessie Bolton Everson, whom married Byron Everson in Montana, they had a ranch apparently in Montana and Larry also worked here and lived in Butte, Montana with his first wife Corrine Honnef Hightower. They had 3 children Eugene, Margaret, and Lorraine Hightower. Margaret was my grandmother. I am doing this research for my late grandmother and my family. I hope to hear from the world and gather letters, photos, videos and stories about Larry and his wheelbarrow adventures around the world.