Roger Miller's Column
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown Community
Forum Name: About Middletown
Forum Description: History and information about Middletown, Ohio
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5677
Printed Date: Nov 21 2024 at 1:56pm
Topic: Roger Miller's Column
Posted By: 409
Subject: Roger Miller's Column
Date Posted: Apr 08 2014 at 8:30am
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A good read ... Butler County Past Downtown in 1950s Middletown was busy Roger Miller I remember the mid-1950s when Middletown’s downtown was a compact shopping center, with stores and services to fulfill almost every human need. It was a bustling place where friends met to chat at a soda fountain, restaurant or on a street corner. The busiest area was Central Avenue and Broad Street. This is where the city’s main department store, John Ross, was located, along with its biggest drug store, Gallaher’s, and its major five-and-dime store, C.G. Murphy. It also was the hub of the Ortman-Stewart bus line, which brought customers on the half hour from every corner of the community. It was close to the Ohio bus station on Clinton Street, and not far from a taxi stand. You did not need a car, but parking was available in the city at stores or banks. The downtown was roughly a business district stretching west to east from Main to Clinton streets, and between Manchester and First avenues. It was anchored by several large department stores with John Ross at the center. On North Main stood Montgomery Ward, and on South Main its main competitor, Sears Roebuck. On East Central was the new J.C. Penney and the Central Store, and a block farther east, McAlpin’s. These were backed up by the big variety stores, C.G. Murphy and S.S. Kresge, and the more than hardware store, Dohn’s. The other large stores in regard to floor space were furniture outlets, including Reed-Klopp, Cappels, May-Stearnes, Rathman-Troup , and Lady Sylvia. Vardelis and, just east of Clinton, Melampy’s specialized in appliances. Jewelry stores thrived and carried such names as Rogers, Fenzel-Mc-Donough, Miller’s, Spencer, Freeman and Reeves. If you wanted shoes, you could wear out shoe leather by comparing sales at Doellman’s, David’s, Walker’s, Schiff’s, Bartel’s (which had a foot X-ray machine), Thom-McAn and Merit. For children’s clothing, there was Link’s. The men had the Corner Men’s Shop, Worthmore, Greathouse or Halsey’s. The women loved the Joy Shop, Jeanette’s, Burnett’s, Eileen’s and Filsons. Furs were found at McDowell’s. You could have your clothes cleaned at Matthews, Arrow, Capitol or the Band Box. When you became hungry downtown, there was fine food at the Manchester, or cheaper fare at the Liberty — the best hot dogs in town. There was also the Colony, where Charlie Reeder played the organ, or Weber’s and their famous roast beef sandwiches. Others visited Godwins or the Delicia, the Horse Shoe Bar or the Turf Bars. Gallaher drug store had a popular soda fountain, and near it was Parrot’s “good food” sign. You could pick up a snack at the Bake Shop or popcorn and hot roasted peanuts at the stand on the corner. Castell was another downtown drug store. The town was still dotted with neighborhood groceries, but downtown boasted of Kroger, with their own parking lot, Reedys, Bales, and others, with an A&P nearby. Mayers Meat Market and the Chicago Meat Market competed with each other. You could pick up newspapers and magazines at Klamo, Star or Broadway news stands. Goldflies and Rogers sold records. Bates had the best in draperies. Tobias made portraits on Main Street. Office Outfitters had a large clientele. Sportsmen visited Roberson’s or All-Sports or went for a workout at the YMCA. Arrangements for plumbing could be made at Moore Plumbing or heating at Williamson-Ziegeler. Hannah sold paints. While shopping, the car could be serviced at Goodyear. There were still movies downtown at the huge, beautiful Paramount, and cheaper admissions could be purchased at the Colonial or State, or a few blocks to the east, at the Strand. Right in the midst of downtown was Calvary Methodist Church and its next door neighbor was the Middletown Business College, which offered a solid technical education. You could pay bills at the Cincinnati Gas & Electric office on North Broad, pay for the newspaper at the Journal on South Broad, or your insurance bill at Harrison’s. There were barber shops and beauty shops. The Castell Building had a mix of businesses. If medical attention were needed, there were downtown doctors such as Gerber, Skinner, Zollett, Beneseler, and Blizzard. If things came to the worst, two funeral homes — Wilson’s and McCoy-Leffler — were nearby. To pay for everything the big banks, Oglesby-Barnitz and First National, were nearby. Middletown’s old downtown was a great mix, which developed a true community spirit — a town personality. The downtown of today is not the same as that of the mid-1950s. For those of us who lived during the mid-1950s, it will never be the same, but it does have a bright future for younger generations. Roger Miller is a Monroe resident who is interested in local history. ------------- Every morning is the dawn of a new error... |
Replies:
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Apr 08 2014 at 9:36am
Back then, all the businesses you mentioned just catered to a small, select group. In today's downtowne Middletowne the stained glass shoppe, the art centre, and the high-priced bistro appeal to ALL Middletonians.  ------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
409 wrote:Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 08 2014 at 10:39am
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Oh yes I remember it well.... Thanks Roger |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Apr 08 2014 at 12:08pm
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And don't forget Norris Music on First Ave next to the old library. Took trumpet lessons there before selling the trumpet and buying a guitar when the Beatles arrived. EVERYBODY was in a band/ and the once popular crewcut of the jocks became the long haired/ never go to the barber band guy, an almost overnight happening. Gallaher's....where grandma would buy us the greatest hamburgers and milk shakes in the world after shopping. Boarding the green and white Ortman-Stewart bus "Park Place" to head out east to Grand Ave around the Jackson Lane/Dorset Dr./ Kensington St. area to get off. Other buses for "Lakeside" "Crawford St", "Meadowlawn" and others along the GC Murphey sidewalk on Broad St. McCoy- Leffler with their huge bronze dog outside the business (on First Ave I think)(dog statue was stolen later wasn't it?) The Central Store where everyone bought clothes (until the Gentry Den opened at the Middletown Shopping Center in the 60's) Liberal Market over by the old high school. Robertson Sporting Goods had the best toy selections at Christmas on the upper floors. A multitude of shoe stores as mentioned. The Castell Building had dentists and doctor's offices on the upper floor. Old Dentist Sebald took care of the teeth on the fourth floor of the Castell back then. The basement of the old YMCA at Broad and Manchester had the bands and we all met there on a Friday night. Great fun. The Inferno. The Manchester Hotel actually had guests and decent activity back then, courtesy of Armco. Grandpa had to stop at Son's Bar and Grill at the point of Central going into downtown and First Ave coming out. "Don't tell Grandma that Grandpa stopped for a drink, ok son? Wait in the car...I'll be back shortly" Memories. Getting a haircut at the corner of Clark and Manchester Ave. Clyde's Barber Shop......before the apartments came. Crowded sidewalks, so much so, you had to walk in the street at times. AND NOW....... No movies.....no shoes.....no woman's or men's stores....no more crowded sidewalks....no more major activity...... just a few arts places.... a heck of alot of empty storefronts....very limited interest from the general population....being designed for a very small interest group and catering to the interests of those of "importance" down on S. Main St. Desolation compared to the past. Sad to see when you were around to compare "back then" with "now". ------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over. |