Remember Huntington in the 50's?

[Irene]

Please help me find JERRY HALSTEAD,
(originally from PA, maybe)
[e-mail]

[Jeanna]

I grew up in Huntington in the 70's and I remember all of things you guys are talking about. I actually worked at Camden Park for three summers in a row!!! and I remember when the cars would be parked all the way down Rt 60!! that was the best. Also a favorite memory of mine was the East drive-in! LOVED going there with my family and seeing a movie. I now reside in Orlando, FL but I get back to H-town about twice a year to visit family and it still feels like home and I guess it always will be.

[Jeanna]

I am currently looking for info on a show my parents used to dance on called "The Young American Scene" with Jack O'Shea. Anyone with any useful information? or memories?

[danny boy]

I went to Cammack and HHS with Sherry O'Shea her father was part owner of Wellman- O'Shea Jewelers, my dad was the manager of WHTN Ch.13 and they had a dance show for teens in the late 50's... Jack O' Shea was her uncle, Sherry now works at Mack&Daves Pawn Shop in Huntington..maybe Old Timer can help on this one

[WV - FL]

I was born in the 50's at Rowley Clinic. I found this forum because I was looking for info on the Rowley Clinic. Can anyone tell me here it was located and when it closed. I remember my mother saying it was on 6th Ave but don't know any more than that.

[WV - FL]

Typo- Can anyone tell me Where it was located and when it closed.

[Mindy C]

Just in Huntington this weekend and went in Love's Hardware, they are having their 95th anniver. this fall. I think Rowley Clinic was about 6th ave. & 6th street. It was sad to walk down 4th ave from 10th to 9th and see maybe 7 business open mostly bars, Peanut shop still open

[Old Timer]

danny boy wrote:

I went to Cammack and HHS with Sherry O'Shea her father was part owner of Wellman- O'Shea Jewelers, my dad was the manager of WHTN Ch.13 and they had a dance show for teens in the late 50's... Jack O' Shea was her uncle, Sherry now works at Mack&Daves Pawn Shop in Huntington..maybe Old Timer can help on this one

Hey there!!! I'm late getting back on here but glad I checked in tonight.

Yes, there was an after school teen-age dance televised everyday.**Simulation of Dick Clark's popular show "BANDSTAND". It was a favorite hang-out for a lot of us who saw ourselves as "hep!"
A few male names from those days: Ronny Geiger, David Downey, Norm ????(best dancer ever!), David Pritt, Johnny Cyrus, Timmy Dunkle, Chuck Brennan....and there were a lot more guys that knew how to make a girl feel extra special by just asking her to dance!*grin* Some good memories there!!

[Old Timer]

WV - FL wrote:

I was born in the 50's at Rowley Clinic. I found this forum because I was looking for info on the Rowley Clinic. Can anyone tell me here it was located and when it closed. I remember my mother saying it was on 6th Ave but don't know any more than that.

Rowley Clinic closed when Dr. Rowley died in the early 1960's. Located on 6th Avenue close to 16th Street. Dr. Rowley was trained at Mayo Clinic and was highly respected by all. I remember that he had living quarters, where he kept pet two cats, in the basement of his hosp.**This is where he stayed if needed by a critical patient or if he had scheduled early morning surgery. His entire staff, my mother was one of his devoted long time employees, looked upon him as their "father" figure. He was also like a grandfather to me. He cared for "his girls" and was sadly missed when he passed from this life.

Sorry I cannot give you the exact location of the bldg. that housed Rowley Clinic...maybe someone else remembers better than I. I hope I have been of help.

[danny boy]

Old Timer wrote:

<quoted text>
Hey there!!! I'm late getting back on here but glad I checked in tonight.
Yes, there was an after school teen-age dance televised everyday.**Simulation of Dick Clark's popular show "BANDSTAND". It was a favorite hang-out for a lot of us who saw ourselves as "hep!"
A few male names from those days: Ronny Geiger, David Downey, Norm ????(best dancer ever!), David Pritt, Johnny Cyrus, Timmy Dunkle, Chuck Brennan....and there were a lot more guys that knew how to make a girl feel extra special by just asking her to dance!*grin* Some good memories there!!

one of the bad boys was Leon Beach, he was kicked off the show many times

[Old Timer]

danny boy wrote:

<quoted text>one of the bad boys was Leon Beach, he was kicked off the show many times

Hi Danny Boy,

Hmmmmmm, don't remember Leon Beach. Do you remember Norm's last name? Drk. hair, tall...very popular with the ladies at channel 13 studio and considered the best dancer at that time! There's too many years that's gone by to remember them all, but it's fun to reawaken some memories of those good old days, huh?

[danny boy]

Old Timer wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi Danny Boy,
Hmmmmmm, don't remember Leon Beach. Do you remember Norm's last name? Drk. hair, tall...very popular with the ladies at channel 13 studio and considered the best dancer at that time! There's too many years that's gone by to remember them all, but it's fun to reawaken some memories of those good old days, huh?

If we could go back in time I would be asking you for a date & a dance

[danny boy]

Old Timer wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi Danny Boy,
Hmmmmmm, don't remember Leon Beach. Do you remember Norm's last name? Drk. hair, tall...very popular with the ladies at channel 13 studio and considered the best dancer at that time! There's too many years that's gone by to remember them all, but it's fun to reawaken some memories of those good old days, huh?

I found three Normans on classmates.com Cole,Lucas and Glaser,they all went to HHS. no Normans listed for Vinson or HEHS.

[Old Timer]

danny boy wrote:

<quoted text> I found three Normans on classmates.com Cole,Lucas and Glaser,they all went to HHS. no Normans listed for Vinson or HEHS.

Nope, I can't recall any of those names. Guess it's been way too long ago to now add a last name to my memory of Norm (the great dancer). Thanks for the help.

Date and dance? Aw shucks!! Bet we could've "cut a rug" to Chubby Checker, Bill Hailey and the Comets, Fats Domino, or good ole Jerry Lee!!

I still have most of the most popular 50's records. Some are the original 45's and I have "SH-BOOM" by the Crewcuts and "Only You" by the Platters in their original 78 format.
**I did copy them all onto CD's so I can still listen to my favorites in the car.

Thanks Danny Boy, you made my day!

[dedria]

yes i agree

[WV - FL]

Thanks, Old Timer for the info on Rowley Clinic. Some info is better than none. But there was someone else who responded to my question and she (Mindy C) thought the clinic was on 6th Ave & 6th St?
Again thanks for your help.

[Old Timer]

WV - FL wrote:

Thanks, Old Timer for the info on Rowley Clinic. Some info is better than none. But there was someone else who responded to my question and she (Mindy C) thought the clinic was on 6th Ave & 6th St?
Again thanks for your help.

Guthrie Memorial Hospital is on 6th Ave. and 6th St. Rowley Clinic & Hospital was closer to Marshall and near 16th St.(now Hal Greer)
Some trivia: Dr. Rowley's daughter, Mary, had a dance studio across the street from the clinic way back then. I notice that her dance studio(s) have expanded to several locations and are still going strong. Possibly owned by another family member.

[Buzzard]

Found this on the internet.
This is fun. Will bring back memories for some, strain some brains, and educate others who weren't around for all of this! History Exam (Don't peek at the answers 'til you try it). Write answers down as you take the test.

1. In the 1940s, where were automobile headlight dimmer switches located?

a. On the floor shift knob b. On the floor board, to the left of the clutch c. Next to the horn

2. The bottle top of a Royal Crown Cola bottle had holes in it. For what was it used?

a. Capture lightning bugs b. To sprinkle clothes before ironing c. Large salt shaker

3. Why was having milk delivered a problem in northern winters?

a. Cows got cold and wouldn't produce milk b. Ice on highways forced delivery by dog sled c. Milkmen left deliveries outside of front doors and milk would freeze, expanding and pushing up the cardboard bottle top..

4. What was the popular chewing gum named for a game of chance?

a. Blackjack b. Gin c. Craps!

5. What method did women use to look as if they were wearing stockings when none were available due to rationing during W.W.II?

a. Suntan b. Leg painting c. Wearing slacks

6. What postwar car turned automotive design on its ear when you couldn't tell whether it was coming or going?

a. Studebaker b. Nash Metro c. Tucker

7. Which was a popular candy when you were a kid?

a. Strips of dried peanut butter b. Chocolate licorice bars c. Wax coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water inside

8. How was Butch wax used?

a. To stiffen a flat-top haircut so it stood up b. To make floors shiny and prevent scuffing c. On the wheels of roller skates to prevent rust

9. Before inline skates, how did you keep your roller skates attached to your shoes?

a. With clamps, tightened by a skate key b. Woven straps that crossed the foot c. Long pieces of twine

10. As a kid, what was considered the best way to reach a decision?

a. Consider all the facts b. Ask Mom c. Eeny-meeny-miney-mo

ANSWERS ----------

1. b) On the floor, to the left of the clutch. Hand controls, popular in Europe, took till the late '60s to catch on.

2. b) To sprinkle clothes before ironing. Who had a steam iron?

3. c) Cold weather caused the milk to freeze and expand, popping the bottle top.

4. a) Blackjack Gum.

5. b) Special makeup was applied, followed by drawing a seam down the back of the leg with an eyebrow pencil.

6. a) 1946 Studebaker.

7. c) Wax coke bottles containing super-sweet colored water.

8. a) Wax for your flat top (butch) haircut.

9. a) With clamps, tightened by a skate key, which you wore on a shoestring around your neck.

10. c) Eeny-meeny-miney-mo.

[Buzzard]

Here's some more.

11. What was the most dreaded disease in the 1940's?

a. Smallpox b. AIDS c. Polio

12. "I'll be down to get you in a ________, Honey"

a. SUV b. Taxi c. Streetcar

13. What was the name of Caroline Kennedy's pet pony?

a. Old Blue b. Paint c. Macaroni

14. What was a Duck-and-Cover Drill?

a. Part of the game of hide and seek b. What you did when your Mom called you in to do chores c. Hiding under your desk, and covering your head with your arms in an A-bomb drill.

15. What was the name of the Indian Princess on the Howdy Doody show?

a. Princess Summerfallwinterspring b. Princess Sacajewea c. Princess Moonshadow

16. What did all the really savvy students do when mimeographed tests were handed out in school?

a. Immediately sniffed the purple ink, as this was believed to get you high b. Made paper airplanes to see who could sail theirs out the window c. Wrote another pupil's name on the top, to avoid your failure

17. Why did your Mom shop in stores that gave Green Stamps with purchases?

a. To keep you out of mischief by licking the backs, which tasted like bubble gum b. They could be put in special books and redeemed for various household items c. They were given to the kids to be used as stick-on tattoos

18. Praise the Lord, and pass the _________?

a. Meatballs b. Dames c. Ammunition

19. What was the name of the singing group that made the song "Cabdriver" a hit?

a. The Ink Spots b. The Supremes c. The Esquires

20. Who left his heart in San Francisco?

a. Tony Bennett b. Xavier Cugat c. George Gershwin

ANSWERS ----------

11. c) Polio. In beginning of August, swimming pools were closed, movies and other public gathering places were closed to try to prevent spread of the disease.

12. b) Taxi. Better be ready by half-past eight!

13. c) Macaroni.

14. c) Hiding under your desk, and covering your head with your arms in an A- bomb drill.

15. a) Princess Summerfallwinterspring. She was another puppet.

16. a) Immediately sniffed the purple ink to get a high.

17. b) Put in a special stamp book, they could be traded for household items at the Green Stamp store.

18. c) Ammunition, and we'll all be free.

19. a) The all male, all black group: The Inkspots.

20. a) Tony Bennett, and he sounds just as good today.

SCORING ----------

17- 20 correct: You are not only older than dirt, but obviously gifted with mind bloat. Now if you could only find your glasses. Definitely a GEEZER!

12-16 correct: Not quite dirt yet, but your mind is definitely muddy.

0 -11 correct: You are a sad excuse for a geezer or you are younger than springtime!

[Buzzard]

It missed the first 10.

1. In the 1940s, where were automobile headlight dimmer switches located?

a. On the floor shift knob b. On the floor board, to the left of the clutch c. Next to the horn

2. The bottle top of a Royal Crown Cola bottle had holes in it. For what was it used?

a. Capture lightning bugs b. To sprinkle clothes before ironing c. Large salt shaker

3. Why was having milk delivered a problem in northern winters?

a. Cows got cold and wouldn't produce milk b. Ice on highways forced delivery by dog sled c. Milkmen left deliveries outside of front doors and milk would freeze, expanding and pushing up the cardboard bottle top..

4. What was the popular chewing gum named for a game of chance?

a. Blackjack b. Gin c. Craps!

5. What method did women use to look as if they were wearing stockings when none were available due to rationing during W.W.II?

a. Suntan b. Leg painting c. Wearing slacks

6. What postwar car turned automotive design on its ear when you couldn't tell whether it was coming or going?

a. Studebaker b. Nash Metro c. Tucker

7. Which was a popular candy when you were a kid?

a. Strips of dried peanut butter b. Chocolate licorice bars c. Wax coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water inside

8. How was Butch wax used?

a. To stiffen a flat-top haircut so it stood up b. To make floors shiny and prevent scuffing c. On the wheels of roller skates to prevent rust

9. Before inline skates, how did you keep your roller skates attached to your shoes?

a. With clamps, tightened by a skate key b. Woven straps that crossed the foot c. Long pieces of twine

10. As a kid, what was considered the best way to reach a decision?

a. Consider all the facts b. Ask Mom c. Eeny-meeny-miney-mo

ANSWERS ----------

1. b) On the floor, to the left of the clutch. Hand controls, popular in Europe, took till the late '60s to catch on.

2. b) To sprinkle clothes before ironing. Who had a steam iron?

3. c) Cold weather caused the milk to freeze and expand, popping the bottle top.

4. a) Blackjack Gum.

5. b) Special makeup was applied, followed by drawing a seam down the back of the leg with an eyebrow pencil.

6. a) 1946 Studebaker.

7. c) Wax coke bottles containing super-sweet colored water.

8. a) Wax for your flat top (butch) haircut.

9. a) With clamps, tightened by a skate key, which you wore on a shoestring around your neck.

10. c) Eeny-meeny-miney-mo.