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Old Timer
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I grew up in Huntington during the 50's. Back when my school, Cammack, was a combined elementary and jr. high school within walking distance. Huntington High was the proud Pony Express on 8th St. Dreamland and the Olympic Pool were top notch hang-outs. Wards donut shop on 4th Ave and 1st Street. Wiggins and all the drive-in restaurants on 5th Ave. near East High and the Field House. Anderson-Newcomb and Bradshaw's were the best dept. stores. Silver's and McCrory's dime stores. Gallagher, Lawrence, and Wild Drug had the best lunch counters.
Do you have any memories of those times and places? If so, then share your memories.
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Old Timer
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Well, I guess nobody has any memories to share. I do want to wish my old hometown residents the very best of everything in 2008.
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Another Old Timer
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Yes I do remember all of those places. Actually I went to Barboursville High School but many of my friends went to East so I was always around that area although it was in the late late 50's as I got married in 1962. Dreamland was the best and do you remember Adkins Fat Boy restaurants? The place to be on Saturdays was down town. Davidsons Record Shop...Baileys Cafeteria? Grants had the first and only escalator downtown too...remember that? Pop a balloon in McCroy's to see how much you pay for your banana split. Remember that? And the White Pantry? I used to love their cheeseburgers. Yeah, there is still a few of us around...... Old Timer wrote: I grew up in Huntington during the 50's. Back when my school, Cammack, was a combined elementary and jr. high school within walking distance. Huntington High was the proud Pony Express on 8th St. Dreamland and the Olympic Pool were top notch hang-outs. Wards donut shop on 4th Ave and 1st Street. Wiggins and all the drive-in restaurants on 5th Ave. near East High and the Field House. Anderson-Newcomb and Bradshaw's were the best dept. stores. Silver's and McCrory's dime stores. Gallagher, Lawrence, and Wild Drug had the best lunch counters.
Do you have any memories of those times and places? If so, then share your memories.
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Old Timer
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Another Old Timer wrote: Yes I do remember all of those places. Actually I went to Barboursville High School but many of my friends went to East so I was always around that area although it was in the late late 50's as I got married in 1962. Dreamland was the best and do you remember Adkins Fat Boy restaurants? The place to be on Saturdays was down town. Davidsons Record Shop...Baileys Cafeteria? Grants had the first and only escalator downtown too...remember that? Pop a balloon in McCroy's to see how much you pay for your banana split. Remember that? And the White Pantry? I used to love their cheeseburgers. Yeah, there is still a few of us around......<quoted text> Thank you for your response! I forgot about Grants and the Fat Boys... thanks for the reminder. Bradley's White Pantry was a good hang-out (a relative of mine owned it). It's good to know that someone out there shares some of the same memories!! Those were the best of times. Bless you!
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gotnoproof
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When I was a kid both sets of my grandparents lived in east huntington, up close to Saint Mary's. One set lived in a house where part of the hospital parking lot is at now, and the other set a few blocks away on Guyan Ave. Late 50's and early 60's I spent a lot of time at the Highlawn Pharmacy, and two other places, I can't remember the names, but they were on the corner of 28th and First Ave, one on each of two corners. One was a little grocery store, the other I think was an ice cream place. And I used to walk or ride my bike over to Guyandotte where there was a Cushman motorscooter shop. same with an old Harley shop down on 3rd Ave. And I ate Stewarts Hot Dogs every chance I got. Whenever I'm in Huntington, I still go there.
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Uh Oh
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gotnoproof wrote: When I was a kid both sets of my grandparents lived in east huntington, up close to Saint Mary's. One set lived in a house where part of the hospital parking lot is at now, and the other set a few blocks away on Guyan Ave. Late 50's and early 60's I spent a lot of time at the Highlawn Pharmacy, and two other places, I can't remember the names, but they were on the corner of 28th and First Ave, one on each of two corners. One was a little grocery store, the other I think was an ice cream place. And I used to walk or ride my bike over to Guyandotte where there was a Cushman motorscooter shop. same with an old Harley shop down on 3rd Ave. And I ate Stewarts Hot Dogs every chance I got. Whenever I'm in Huntington, I still go there. Aren't Stewart's the very best?? I go there too, whenever I visit Huntington. I used to like Midway hot dogs a lot. Too bad they closed. In front of (the old smaller hosp.) St. Mary's there used to be a small sandwich shop and ice cream parlor. Lots of the nurses and doctors ate there. There's many changes in Huntington now and a lot of the old places are gone. Such as the old farmer's market on 3rd Ave. between 6th St bridge and 7th St. I remember Stanley's Banana Co. and Bradley's Produce there. Ritter Park (Gobbler's Knob) used to be the favorite place for sledding during winter snows. Keith Albee was an elaborate and elegant one screen movie theatre (I used to go there every Saturday and stay through at least two showings. Sigh...... Those were the good old days! Thanks "gotnoproof" for responding!!
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Another Old Timer
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Yeah and how about Frost Top hotdogs? We still go there when we can and recently we had the opportunity to go to Jim's and have spagetti! Used to be you could go to the movies and stay and watch as many times as you wanted. The Keith Albee was the best....it had a fancy "ladies room". We used to "cruise" 5th Avenue on Saturday nights. We always found so much to do and never really got into any trouble. I feel sorry for the teenagers now. They have so much peer pressure...it is sad.
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gotnoproof
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Another Old Timer wrote: Yeah and how about Frost Top hotdogs? We still go there when we can and recently we had the opportunity to go to Jim's and have spagetti! Used to be you could go to the movies and stay and watch as many times as you wanted. The Keith Albee was the best....it had a fancy "ladies room". We used to "cruise" 5th Avenue on Saturday nights. We always found so much to do and never really got into any trouble. I feel sorry for the teenagers now. They have so much peer pressure...it is sad. I forgot about Frost Top, liked those too, but then "I never met a chili dog I didn't like" Always heard a lot about Jim's being so good, but never ate there. And I don't know how I forgot about Camden Park, is it still there? Man it was like dying and goin' to heaven as a kid to spend a day at Camden Park!
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Old Timer
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Yes, Camden Park is still going atrong. Remember the "pronto pups" (corn dogs)?
Skating rinks were in full swing in the fifties. Used to go to the Armory on 1st ST.(and 6th Ave.(?) I think). Also went to Camden's roller rink a few times.
Does anyone remember "Teen Town" at the YMCA? Friday and Saturday nights would find teens from all over the Huntington area dancing to the Platters, Chubby Checker, Coasters, Jerry Lee Lewis, Patti Page, Tony Bennett and all the other popular songsters of that time.
"Going steady" was the big thing back then. Being well groomed meant being attractive.**What would we have thought of the too big, low riding, crotch to the knees pants that show more underwear than anything else?? NOT ATTRACTIVE!
My oh my...how things have changed. The fifties were truly innocent times compared to now.
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Old Timer
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Typo: ...Camden Park is still going STRONG. Sorry.
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Alfred E Newman
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I delivered newspapers in the 50s, my first route was on 8th avenue from 10th st to 16th Street met some very nice people,my last route they made me retire in 58 was the downtown area, the car dealers were Willie Green Pontiac,Hez Ward Buick, Rich Chevrolet, Thackston Cadillac,Studebaker and Packard were there also and Buck Conard used cars, Ken Heckler lived on 5th Ave above Pancake Reality, hung out at the police garage with the likes of Louie Moreland Carl Nickels, got in all the movies , wresting,hockey and Bordens Milk free
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Old Timer
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Louie Moreland? That is a familiar name. Where would I have known him in Huntington?? Was he with the police dept.?
Here's a few more names to remember: Wellman-O'Shea Jewelers, Spencer's Jewelry, Nasser's (women's clothes), Angel's (clothing store), Metheny's Shoe Repair, Duckey's Garage on 3rd Ave., B & B Pawn Shop (**and Mack N Dave's is still in town), The China Inn Restaurant, George H. Wright's (men's clothing), Rowley Clinic & Hosp. owned by a Mayo Clinic trained doctor and the best Dr. in town (private), Guthrie Hosp. owned by father and son doctors (private), Movie theatres were: Keith Albee, Tipton, State(had a bad reputation) and finally, the Orpheum Theatre next to the Elks Club.
The Pritchard Hotel and the Frederick Hotel each had their wonderful dining rooms with great food and service and don't forget the gorgeous & elegant ballrooms for formal dances.**Arthur Murray Dance Studios were big back then! They had regular dances on week-ends. Ballroom dancing was popular in the "olden days", as was hats, long gloves, strapless formal gowns and getting all dolled-up for a night out on the town was a treat.
Gee this trip down memory lane took a while.
Looks like there's too many memories to list here. Guess we should all write a book!
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Alfred E Newman
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yes Louie and Carl were cops.. don't forget the Governors Club Hotel on 4th Ave&9th Street..the Tipton burned early in the 50s there also was the Palace Theatre, Greensteins Jewelery, Planters Nuts,the bowling alley in the basement of the arcade, Houverous Grill between the Elks and the Orpheum...Huntington was great place to grow up in the 50s we had a mixture of Jews, Syrians, Lebanese, Greeks,Italians ,Irish in business every one got along Black & White no one got uptight
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Old Timer
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Alfred E Newman wrote: yes Louie and Carl were cops.. don't forget the Governors Club Hotel on 4th Ave&9th Street..the Tipton burned early in the 50s there also was the Palace Theatre, Greensteins Jewelery, Planters Nuts,the bowling alley in the basement of the arcade, Houverous Grill between the Elks and the Orpheum...Huntington was great place to grow up in the 50s we had a mixture of Jews, Syrians, Lebanese, Greeks,Italians ,Irish in business every one got along Black & White no one got uptight I remember Louie...he was a friend of my boss and used to stop by the workplace for visits now and then. Gee, I forgot about the Palace, didn't know about the bowling alley either. You have a lot of memories that most of us have forgotten. Thank you so much for sharing!! I enjoy your posts.
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Alfred E Newman
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Another Old Timer wrote: Yes I do remember all of those places. Actually I went to Barboursville High School but many of my friends went to East so I was always around that area although it was in the late late 50's as I got married in 1962. Dreamland was the best and do you remember Adkins Fat Boy restaurants? The place to be on Saturdays was down town. Davidsons Record Shop...Baileys Cafeteria? Grants had the first and only escalator downtown too...remember that? Pop a balloon in McCroy's to see how much you pay for your banana split. Remember that? And the White Pantry? I used to love their cheeseburgers. Yeah, there is still a few of us around......<quoted text> I went to HHS and HEHS class of 60...I worked at the Evans Super Market at Russell Creek &rt.60 worked with Carl Young of BHS, he loved to fish, we would go to a drive in rest in B'ville owned by the Burgess family..met my late wife at Shoneys got my only speeding in 45 years in Bville Jack Milam was the state trooper, he use to hang out at Robin Lanes at Eastern Heights S.C.
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Alfred E Newman
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Old Timer wrote: <quoted text>
I remember Louie...he was a friend of my boss and used to stop by the workplace for visits now and then.
Gee, I forgot about the Palace, didn't know about the bowling alley either. You have a lot of memories that most of us have forgotten. Thank you so much for sharing!! I enjoy your posts. since I had paper routes from 1st Street to 16th Street on 4th Ave and part of 5th Ave I knew everybody.. I worked at the city market on 3rd Ave for GeeGee Narcise brother Rocco ran the "Best Pac Tomato " business, I lived next door to their parents they made good wine, Charley Goodpaster a cop worked the market area,went to East with his daughter Charlene.. my sister Michele married Dick Shank his family had B&w cab, Shank Oil, Firestone Store and half of Beckley, sister Joan married Ron Cyrus Billy Ray's now late father, sister Patty and brother Dick both drowned and after living in Fort Lauderdale the Venice of America for 38 years I moved to higher ground........
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Old Timer
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Alfred E Newman wrote: <quoted text>since I had paper routes from 1st Street to 16th Street on 4th Ave and part of 5th Ave I knew everybody.. I worked at the city market on 3rd Ave for GeeGee Narcise brother Rocco ran the "Best Pac Tomato " business, I lived next door to their parents they made good wine, Charley Goodpaster a cop worked the market area,went to East with his daughter Charlene.. my sister Michele married Dick Shank his family had B&w cab, Shank Oil, Firestone Store and half of Beckley, sister Joan married Ron Cyrus Billy Ray's now late father, sister Patty and brother Dick both drowned and after living in Fort Lauderdale the Venice of America for 38 years I moved to higher ground........ Hey there neighbor! Wow, did you bring back some memories for me, in your last post. I knew the Narcise family very well, in my younger days. Did you know anyone named Trimboli at the mkt.? I used to "work" at the city mkt. when my family ran a business there. Here's a question: About a blk. away from the mkt.( at 3rd Ave. & 5th St.) there was a grocery store called Leona's Groc. and also there was Ducky's Garage on the corner. Did you know any of the families in that area? Goodpaster was a friend of my Dad's family. I don't remember him personally. I knew a fellow that sold papers, during the 50's, on the corner of 4th and 10th St.(Geo. H. Wright corner) First name, Alvin. Hmmmmmmmm..........very interesting.
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Alfred E Newman
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wasn't me I worked at a newstand on 8th Street but never sold papers on any corner, I knew the Curry family on 3rd ave. I use to hang out at Charley Whismans bar on 4thAve&4th st. I was under age so I drank cokes and played shuffleboard, Toney's Auto Glass was at 4th ave &5th St. James Hutchinson and Charley Napier worked there and next door was Sudden Service Cleaners run by George & Mabel Smith ... three more cops were Whitey Draper , Bill Adams and Bud Tomlinson...the was a man who sold socks around the market he moved to Miami and was murdered, they just called him "Sockie" one of the car salesmen at the Packard dealer George Thurer became mayor and gave me a key to the city
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Alfred E Newman
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The teen dances were at the YWCA on 5th Avenue, I went there with my first love Janet who I have known since 1st grade at Gallaher [1948]
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Alfred E Newman
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Uh Oh wrote: <quoted text>
Aren't Stewart's the very best?? I go there too, whenever I visit Huntington. I used to like Midway hot dogs a lot. Too bad they closed.
In front of (the old smaller hosp.) St. Mary's there used to be a small sandwich shop and ice cream parlor. Lots of the nurses and doctors ate there.
There's many changes in Huntington now and a lot of the old places are gone. Such as the old farmer's market on 3rd Ave. between 6th St bridge and 7th St. I remember Stanley's Banana Co. and Bradley's Produce there.
Ritter Park (Gobbler's Knob) used to be the favorite place for sledding during winter snows.
Keith Albee was an elaborate and elegant one screen movie theatre (I used to go there every Saturday and stay through at least two showings.
Sigh...... Those were the good old days!
Thanks "gotnoproof" for responding!! Stanley's moved over to 7th ave Arnold Stanley who's father and uncle started the business passed away last year....the owner of Bradleys Produce had a dimple in his chin like Kirk Douglas
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