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Post by David Sechrest on Jun 5, 2006 10:50:00 GMT -5
We used to call trivia "chicken feed," but that was a diferent time and age.
Destined to become one of the most popular Threads on the Message Board, you can leave your tid-bits about Columbus "firsts" and other minutiae here.
For Example:
The Drive In was the first place you could buy pizza in Columbus. What passed for pizza then would be a poor substitute by today's standard. If you ordered a pepperoni pizza, you got one piece of pepperoni per slice!
The first home to have electric lights? That should be a fairly easy one. The old John Crump home on the nw corner of 7th & Lafayette.
I'm sure that others can do much better than me. What was the first gas station in Columbus? Where was the first bowling alley located?
A rumor circulated around here back some time ago that, during the 1960's, the city of Columbus had more millionaires per 100 people than any other city in the nation. Now, I find that a little hard to believe, but I'm not saying it wasn't true. Anyone else heard this rumor?
Let the trivial pursuit begin!
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 6, 2006 12:44:42 GMT -5
In 1821 Columbus received the first store. The village had 3 or 4 log cabins. In the same year Bartholomew County was organized and so named after the Indian fighter General Joseph Bartholomew. John Tipton sold out and left.
Bob
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 9, 2006 14:35:07 GMT -5
The population census for Bartholomew County in the year 1830 was 5,480 settlers and 344,508 for the whole state of Indiana.
Source: Vevay Messenger, September 27, 1831.
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 9, 2006 17:15:39 GMT -5
Many years before the fast food drive throughs of today Columbus had several hamburger places such as the "Pine Knot Grill" located at Ohio and Gladstone. In the Republican Newspaper 1/11/55 they advertised Hamburgers 2 for 25 cents. Just think today the cheese topping for one may cost that, or more.
Source: Republican Newspaper 1955.
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Jun 9, 2006 21:12:42 GMT -5
OMG, the Pine Knot was one of our family's favorite places. Way back when, EC gave the names of the couple that owned it. Often was the Sunday evening, after a day out on the horses, we would go there for dinner. Absolutely loved it. I know it was affordable, but didn't recall the actual cost. I do believe that these folks 'contracted' to the local jail and provided meals for those 'within.' Sometimes there was a 'wait time' as they finished up meals that needed to be delivered. Definitely, one of my favorite places. Thanks for 'jarring' the memory. Nanc
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 11, 2006 18:56:13 GMT -5
I know fried green tomatoes didn't originate in Columbus Indiana but my grandmothers and mother prepared them when I was a young boy. Further, I know they really didn't originate in the South as the movie tried to display. I have been married over 40 years to a Southern lady and have lived in Texas, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and most older folks don't believe they started in the South. I have always felt they were a mid-western dish and a great one to say the least.
There are many claims to the origin, but the best one I have found is and I will quote in part: " Tomato historians differ on the origin of the dish (fried green tomatoes) but do agree that the technique of frying tomatoes is nothing new." A guy named Andrew Smith noted in a book he wrote that fried green tomatoes probably originated in northern states. He includes in his book a recipe from Lettice Bryan's 1839 book titled Kentucky Housewife, that indicated the process. It was viewed as a garden surplus that the settlers didn't want to waste.
So, the next time you order them up at your favorite restaurant or eatery just remember they probably came from the north into Kentucky and settlers brought the recipe into Indiana/Ohio and other mid-states in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Enjoy, they are GREAT !!! (as Tony the Tiger would say).
Bob
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Jun 11, 2006 19:56:04 GMT -5
Fried green tomatoes!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta love them, regardless of the origin. I covet the day when green tomatoes are available, and have another whole generation addicted to them. Did not, perhaps, the 'origin' and 'use' come about as a way to use the 'end of the season crop?' Absolutely nothing to substantiate that theory, just my thinking. Matters not, we can make a meal out of them. Thanks for that memory, past and present. And how 'bout 'corn fritters?' That was a special summer treat that my dad made. From no formal recipe, as far as I know. My dad would make them, as well as the mess in the kitchen, grating the corn. I've tried, but still and yet can't quite replicate his version. Nonetheless, a super Sunday evening meal. Now, as well as then. Nanc
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 11, 2006 20:48:22 GMT -5
What I have read is that Fried Green Tomatoes were prepared and it addressed two things. ONE: that the tomato season was just beginning because they fried them before all of them matured. This gave them a distinct taste of their own, and an additional staple on the table of course. Two: by having Fried Green Tomatoes even after a hard freeze or several freezes, people through the ages salvaged the greatness of the taste and prolonged the tomato usage at the table. But, then they learned to can green and red tomatoes of course and peal the skin and freeze them in later years. In much later years the brown paper sack was utilized to fully mature (allow to turn red) late green tomatoes inside the house.
Additionally, yellow crooked neck squash and green tomatoes can be fried the same way with a wonderful result. If you do it, cut the yellows up in half dollar sizes about as thick as the tomato slices. Now, people in the south have always said that is a southern dish. Your corn fritters are similar to hush puppies of the south but somewhat varied in mixture. Indiana being in the nation's corn belt has lots of various ways of corn usage past and present. As a kid in Columbus my grandparents and parents fixed only corn bread and my wife introduced them to southern "hush puppies" with small pieces of onion chopped up into the batter. Not all hush puppies are equal that is for sure.
Bob
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Jun 12, 2006 12:55:36 GMT -5
Many years before the fast food drive throughs of today Columbus had several hamburger places such as the "Pine Knot Grill" located at Ohio and Gladstone. In the Republican Newspaper 1/11/55 they advertised Hamburgers 2 for 25 cents. Just think today the cheese topping for one may cost that, or more. Source: Republican Newspaper 1955. Does anyone remember the names of the owners of the Pine Knot Grill?
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Post by richard on Jun 12, 2006 14:49:56 GMT -5
Babs Asked, Does anyone remember the names of the owners of the Pine Knot Grill?
Yes, I do. I hope my mind is clear about this! IN 1953 the Pine Knot was operated by Dale G. and Faye Deaver and lived in the house next door. In 1957 it was operated by Mrs. Joe (Helen) Vails. Joe, Helen and their four sons, Howard (Mac), Mel, Mickey and Monte lived in the house next door also.
I learned how to play Euchre at the kitchen table in that house. I’m still not a good player, but it’s a fun game!
A few weeks ago someone posted a note asking about Mac. I can’t find that note to respond directly so I’ll post what I found here.
Howard (Mac) Vails, son of Joe and Helen Passed 9-15-1999, while living in New Albany, Indiana. He is buried at the Garland Brook Cemetery here in Columbus.
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Jun 12, 2006 14:56:17 GMT -5
Well, Richard beat me to it. EC posted part of that info in the 1950s thread, on page one. Thanks, EC. Pine Knott Grill at 2531 Ohio Street. It was operated by Dale and Faye Deaver. Sometime in the1950's it was operated by Joe and Helen Vails.For anyone new to the message boards, you really should take a look at ECs extensive list in that thread to jar your memory. EC did an awesome job with getting a lot of information at our fingertips. Nanc
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2006 15:17:43 GMT -5
Richard, I believe the Mac that was mentioned may have been the man who opened the Pine Knot Grill first. He was Paul Mcqueen and opened it right after the war, he was a cook in the navy. I don't recall when he sold it, are who to. He and his English wife lived the second house south of Ohio St. on Gladstone Ave. He is now retried and lives on Lee St.
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Jun 12, 2006 16:02:40 GMT -5
Okay, having found a 1951 and a 1952 phone directory at my mom's, it says that the Pine Knott Grill was located at 656 Gladstone, with Dale Deaver listed at that same address, and the phone numbers were the same. It almost seems to me that the restaurant was attached to the house that faced on Gladstone, on a corner, would that have been the SW corner, and there was parking on the other street in front of the actual business. Another thing of note, that still is puzzling me------these phone directories list Gause Cafe at 426 3rd, as I think Richard perhaps noted here recently. And that just really bothers me, as I am sure there was a restaurant on Washington Street just to the south of O'Bryan's Jewelry Store, before the alley and the dime store. Seems to me that it had a 'shiny black oynx' type front. I honestly thought it was Gause's Cafe. Charlie where are you??? Hey, wasn't that a movie shown at the Crump way back when? ?? ;D Ah, you gotta love the internet at your fingertips, it was a 1952 movie, Where's Charley? with Ray Bolger. The evening I went to that movie with a car load of kids, the comment was, in response to 'Where's Charley?' the consensus was that he, being my dad, was asleep on the couch at home. Now that is honest to goodness trivia. ;D Nanc
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 12, 2006 16:27:49 GMT -5
Nanc.......
The Gause Cafe was across the street from the Crump Theater at 426 3rd Street. The Crump Theater address is 425 3rd Street. I remember walking from the old Central High School by Pearl Street to the Gause Cafe at that address in 1956 to eat lunch periodically. They had the best hamburgers going I thought, but couldn't afford to go there very often. I remember too that Bobby Hart worked there many years later until they closed it. Bobby is the son of Dr. Robert Bruce Hart (deceased). My brother played basketball for Bill Stearman from 1952 thru 1956 and he just told me that Stearman would take the Columbus High School basketball team to eat at the Gause after they would win the Sectional and Regional tourneys. When the 25th Street Gym was built, Columbus was the host of Sectionals and Regionals. I suspect that Columbus North still hosts both, with that size of the gym. Also, Bill Stearman would take them to the Bob-O-Link after some wins.
Bob
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Jun 12, 2006 17:14:37 GMT -5
Okay, Bob, et al, I will have to concede as to the location of the Gause Cafe. BUT, was there another restaurant in the location that I mentioned on Washington Street? I can find none listed in that 400 block in the phone directories that I have. Might there have been one in the 40s? I just so recall going, almost next door to the jewelry store, to have a coke with my dad on a coffee break. And I know it wasn't the Greeks, too far away. It had a fairly long counter with stools on the north wall. Seems like there were mirrors on that wall as well. I may not sleep tonight!!!!! ;D Nanc
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 12, 2006 18:12:39 GMT -5
Sounds like Gause that you described. When you walked into the Gause on 3rd Street the long counter with stools was on the left. Then the remainder of the room seemed to be tables with cloths and chairs. I think behind the long counter was a mirror, but not sure on this part. I don't recall in my days other Cafe's in the 50s on main Washington. Of course on side streets from Washington were various lunch places and bars. Lucas Brothers was one of my favorite side places for hamburgers and chili. The chili was outstanding as I recall. Mable's near the Star Market (next door to it) was open during the 50 and 60s I think. Flossie Stotts was the owner (of Mable's) and she lived across the street from my family for many years. Her son was Bill Stotts that graduated from Columbus High School in 1956 and is deceased.
Bob
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Gregg
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Post by Gregg on Jun 12, 2006 18:28:56 GMT -5
I think the Swan was on Washington Street, and where was Lib's Nook?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2006 19:18:27 GMT -5
Nancs, In the late 1930's there was a restaurant at that location on Washington St., the name was " Humpty Dumpty", spelling ??. George
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Jun 12, 2006 19:45:50 GMT -5
Richard to my rescue!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D And to think that I almost thought the 'dementia demons' were overtaking my brain. Okay, guys and gals, take a look at this link and the photo within. www.historiccolumbusindiana.org/pics/1941washst.jpgAnd now my family will enjoy my company this evening. Thanks, Richard, you are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Gause Cafe is EXACTLY where I remembered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love to all of you guys, Nanc
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 12, 2006 22:45:49 GMT -5
Good memory and Richard too, but I hate to bust your bubbles. They moved in the late 40s or early 50s across from the Crump Theater as I said. I confirmed this with 4 people email. Anyway, it was a great place.
Bob
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