RER
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Post by RER on Jun 12, 2006 23:14:56 GMT -5
How about Bixler Lumber Company behind the Coke Cola Plant. Tom Bixler had a lumber company that got his lumber by rail car and built several houses in Columbus. I don't know the dates he started Bixler Lumber but do know he was in business in 1952 behind the Coke Plant. Anyone ?
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Jun 13, 2006 7:41:18 GMT -5
Hi to all, and I don't actually remember when Gause Cafe must have moved. Obviously, probably within the time frame you mentioned, Bob. Frankly, I was 'thinking' I was losing it, having the restaurant placed on Washington St. at 'some point in time' in my head. Am so glad that we all got it figured out. Did have another person that also recalled the Washington Street location. Guess the two of us have to admit to being some of the 'more elder' members on the board. ;D Of course, something like unraveling this puzzle is what makes these message boards, the VERY BEST. Absolutely love the input from everyone. Thanks. Nanc
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Jun 13, 2006 9:28:38 GMT -5
This TRIVIA thread/folder is a great addition to the boards, as sometimes one just isn't sure what category is the best place to put a rather 'disjointed' memory. The bus system in Columbus-----know it operated in the 40s into the 50s, but how long before and after I would have no clue. Was it not called the 'Leppert (sp.) Line' or something close? I know that there was the 'Maple Grove' route that came from downtown, and turned to the north at 7th and Hutchins, that being the closest bus stop to our home a couple of blocks away. I also recall an 'Orinoco' route. And it seems to me that kids served by that route would ride the bus to CHS. Know that downtown, one of the major bus stops was at the corner of 5th and Washington, in perhaps the late 40s to early 50s, in front of the popcorn stand, as shown in this photo link that is on the boards. www.historiccolumbusindiana.org/pics/5thsnack.jpg Does anyone recall what other routes existed? As I am sure there were more. Gosh, I wonder if there is some brochure of times past that show all the routes that the buses served. Nanc
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Gregg
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Post by Gregg on Jun 13, 2006 9:33:08 GMT -5
I believe one route was called,"North Washington."
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 13, 2006 10:46:27 GMT -5
My older brother that went to Columbus High School during 1952 through 1956 just confirmed again that Coach Bill Stearman took his winning basketball teams to the "Gause" periodically, located on 3rd Street across from the Crump Theater. So, I guess the unanswered question is when did the Gause move from Washington Street and when did it close ? I do recall over the years that a hotel consumed a large part of that block and now I have no idea what is there. So as I said before they had to move sometime between the 40s and early 1950s. I was in the Gause during 1956 and 1957 until the new Columbus North High School was built and activated. Richard emailed me just now and said he ate there in 1958 and that the hotel mentioned burned down in 1967. Richard also commented that the Gause was still there after the hotel burning. Richard is still scratching his head figuring out maybe the move date. I guess it doesn't matter but interesting to note that the "Gause had legs during their run of food service and two addresses." Bob
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 13, 2006 17:16:24 GMT -5
City Bus Routes:
My brother and I rode the city bus routes to town for movies and schools and shopping. The city bus would leave from 4th and Washington across from the bank. It would travel via Orinoco past Arvins and the Columbus hospital on 17th out to the corner of E. 15th, which was one block from our house. We started riding that bus system in 1950. The bus ran at least until 1956 but can't remember when it stopped. The cost to ride the bus was about 5 cents. The last run from downtown each day was around 11:00 PM daily. My brother in the 50s worked Friday, Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon at the Columbus Roller Rink at 4th and Jackson. He had to catch the last bus home at eleven.
Bob
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 13, 2006 18:16:59 GMT -5
Columbus Roller Rink 1950 and 1951:
Mr. Paul Morris owned the Garden City Airport and also owned and operated the Columbus Roller Rink on 4th and Jackson Street. My brother worked at the roller rink nightly on Friday/Saturday and Sunday afternoon. He selected the music and dances during his on-duty periods at the Rink. The music was from size 78 records only. He issued and took in shoe skates and skated with a whistle to warn speeders or problem kids. My brothers favorite dance record was "turkey in the straw". He said he would two step skate with his girl friend Mary Jane "Punky" Durham (both were in about the 7th and 8th grade then). He said that "Punky" was the best skater on the floor all the time. I too skated at the Columbus Roller Rink starting around 1951 when my brother was on duty. What a great place it was and fun but long gone to only talk about now.
Bob
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Jun 14, 2006 9:17:37 GMT -5
According to the phone directory (1951) the Swan was at 607 Washington St. Another friend recalls having eaten there. Is my thinking right, this place would have been rather near the Kroger grocery store? I think that was at about 6th and Washington. I can't find that listed in the phone book, but interestingly enough, penciled in by my mom, in the white pages, is their phone number----7035. Check out the 40s folder on page 4, for a photo of that corner. Nanc
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 14, 2006 10:26:16 GMT -5
Garden City Airport (Early 1950s)
Paul Morris owned the Garden City Airport directly across White River on the left (a couple miles behind the Columbus Court House). My uncle was a former pilot in the Army Air Corp during WW II. He had a private plane parked year round at this airport. My dad was a licensed pilot and the first and last time I ever experienced him flying was my uncle's airplane. I flew in the aircraft and once it hit a deep hole on the grass runway and the plane went tail up and prop got torn up. My uncle as we were upside down said, "oops" and other ground folks help us level the plane again. Well needless to say, I never went up again.
Bob
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2006 19:56:38 GMT -5
Bob, I remember the airport well, right after the war I took a few flying lessons at the field .The office was a WW2 quon-set hut and was there for many years after the field closed. My instructor was a Morris " Mutt " Turner, a pilot in the war. I remember the planes were Piper Cubs. You got 15 Min's. in the air for $ 2.50, today that would maybe buy the fuel to get to the end of the runway .Great memory's.
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 14, 2006 20:32:47 GMT -5
George, you have a great recall. My uncle Dale had a yellow Piper Cub but I didn't go up again after the "tail up deal" I mentioned. I don't know what year they closed because I left Columbus for my life adventures in 1961 and only returned periodically.
Bob
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 17, 2006 18:36:31 GMT -5
If my memory serves me correctly many store owners on Washington Street painted Christmas scenes on their huge store windows each Christmas in the late 40s and early 50s. They were multi-colored and it promoted a nice taste of Christmas downtown. Pioneer Days was held in downtown Columbus in the fall of 1952. Window painting scenes downtown were accomplished in 1952 and 1953. Gordon Huckaby a premier Columbus High School artist painted windows in stores and usually won first place for his paintings. He graduated from Columbus High in 1954.
Bob
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Post by John A Mahoney Jr on Jun 18, 2006 13:29:18 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 18, 2006 19:36:05 GMT -5
Hi to all, and loved the memory of painting the windows downtown. Frankly, I don't recall the Christmas ones, as much as the ones for Halloween. If my memory serves me correctly, the CHS art classes, provided the window paintings. And I do remember one at Nagel's that was awesome, and with the mention of Gordon Huckaby, that rings a bell. Think that Brownie and Girl Scout troops also participated in this activity, maybe even Boy Scouts, as well. Just know that we were 'delegated' to less popular areas downtown to do our works of art. Am pretty certain that this is a memory I posted long ago, perhaps in the 40s folder. Know that my 'creation' was way off the beaten path!!!!! ;D And yes, to Pioneer Days, that memory I also posted either in the 40s or the 50s thread. Personally, I loved Pioneer Days, that was a huge amount of fun. Everyone, keep the memories going, add, and add often, that is what makes these boards so special. Nanc
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Post by clarkfoster on Jun 19, 2006 14:58:34 GMT -5
I remember the painted windows! Fun! Does anyone remember the Christmas window at Westermeier Hardware? There was a train set that could be set in motion by pressing on a panel in the window (outside). I remember standing in line to have my turn. Watching "A Christmas Story" always reminds me of that time. Clark F.
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 20, 2006 9:19:16 GMT -5
Westermeirer Hardware
Clark F.....I sure do remember the trains and all the toys and decorations at Westermeirer's store. I can further remember them in the late 40s and early 50s. We lived at 502 Union Street (this location is now a parking lot for Cummins) in the late 40s and I could walk (sneak) over to the store and look through the windows at the displays. Then in 1950 we moved to 15th Street and many times my Dad would take me to Westermeirer to view the Christmas displays. I can't recall getting much from them for myself or anyone else. Across the street from Westermeirer's was a huge gain elevator along the side of the railroad tracks.
Bob
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 21, 2006 13:05:04 GMT -5
"F.J. Meyer & Son 435 Washington Street"
The Evening Republican advertised on page 2, February 25, 1956 the following for this store: Sale Playtex Girdles (remarkable figure control) Price $1.69 each. Of course this was 50 years ago.
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 23, 2006 12:42:21 GMT -5
"Today's Trivia Is 1954 & 1957 In Columbus"
In the year 1954 a postage stamp was 3 cents, a gallon of gasoline was 21 cents, minimum wage was 75 cents, annual average wage earnings was $4,000 and Colored Television was first introduced.
In the baby booming year of 1957 gasoline had gone up to 24 cents per gallon and the minimum wage rose to $1.00.
Bob
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Post by richard on Jun 24, 2006 17:28:28 GMT -5
Information from RER Mr. Chuck Kime Columbus Youth Camp (CYC) Columbus, Indiana Phone: (812)342-3205 Dear Mr. Chuck Kime: I have reviewed your Columbus Youth Camp (CYC) web site and under history I have discovered it is incomplete. The historical value of reporting more in detail dating back to the year 1867, should not go unnoticed in your web site details. I understand as you do that Q.G. Noblitt founded the CYC in 1935, which was 68 years later. However, the land development and the Youth Camp House was built by Isaac Hart in 1867. Isaac and wife Margaret Jane Taylor Hart developed the land and raised children and grandchildren in that present "Big House" as it is referred to today. Robert C.Hart estate (Isaac Hart's son) sold the house and property to Q.G. Noblitt in 1932, as your site information revealed. My grandmother Alice Hart Eddelman and her sisters (my aunts) included Jean Hart Collyer (pictured in attachment), Sophia Hart Eddy and other Hart's lived at times in that house and spent many quality days, weeks and younger years in the CYC "Big House." My grandmother and aunts always talked about the CYC "Big House" and lake areas when I was a young kid growing up in Columbus. I too spent several days at the CYC property over the years. The Hart family in fact held family picnic and reunions there in the 1950s, 1960s 1970s at times. Respectfully, I ask that you include in the history of the CYC that Isaac Hart was the original builder of the main house and some property development. Additionally, it could be noted that Q.G. Noblitt purchased the house and land in 1932 from Robert C. Hart estate (son of Isaac). I truly believe that history is important to all the generations of today and the future. In a passing thought, Columbus wasn't but 4 log cabins in 1821. Just 46 years later Isaac Hart built the Youth Camp house and it still stands today in this year of 2006. They say anything over 100 years old is an antique and historical. This house is now 139 years old. I have attached a clipping from the Columbus Republic Newspaper printed in the 1977. This caption provides some of the information from my then 94 year old Aunt Jean Hart Collyer. Mrs Jean Hart Collyer died in February 1983, two weeks less than 100 years old. Thank you for your consideration in providing the full history of the CYC properties and information for generations ahead. The CYC Web Site is: www.columbusyouthcamp.com/history.html Respectfully yours, RER Photo Courtesy of RER
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RER
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Post by RER on Jun 26, 2006 14:40:40 GMT -5
"Columbus and Many Southern Indiana Settlements 1820s"
Life around the pioneer settlements was interesting at times. Whiskey sold for $1.00 for 6 gallons. No wonder there were so many "drunks" in the early days. Keep in mind there were only 3 or 4 cabins around, what was later to be called Columbus in 1821. By 1830 there was almost 5,500 settlers in the county and probably more whiskey drinkers.
Bob
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