Miscellaneous Columbus Indiana Topics

[Deleted]

Hi Dave, A little bit more about Sears history in Columbus, I believe they had a catalog store just south of Nagels book store befor opening the retail store on north on washington street. Maybe some one else remembers?

[David Sechrest]

According to the 1953 City Directory, Sears (mail order only) was located at 427 Washington Street. Odd-numbered addresses are on the east side of the street (G C Murphy was 417 Washington).

Another listing in the 1953 directory shows a store located at 633 Washington.

My 1962 phone book shows Sears Retail Store located at 629 Washington Street.

Without jumping into my car and driving downtown, I am assuming that Sears used both buildings, 629 and 633 Washington Street addresses, until they moved in to the Commons Mall in the early 1970's.

Dave

[David Sechrest]

I spoke with my sister yesterday. She lives in Wabash Indiana, and recently got a job working part time for a downtown jewelry store.

She says the biggest gripe regarding downtown shopping in Wabash is the fact that there isn't enough parking (uh--where have I heard this before???).

She went on to say that the downtown merchants got together for the Christmas shopping season, and with sponsorship from a local radio station, had a contest. First prize was $500 in cash, second prize was $300, and third prize was $100. All shop owners stayed open until 9pm, and shoppers had to collect 27 stamps (or signatures) from various downtown businesses. A drawing was held to pick the winners.

Downtown Columbus Alive (DCA) is a committee of merchants whose main purpose is to foster and develop the growth and vitality of our central business district. I attended most of their meetings last year before I my appendix burst and threw me out of the loop.

DCA had a similar promotion (to the one in Wabash) two years ago, only the prize awarded by shop owners wasn't money. I think it was a basket from Beautiful Baskets. As it turns out, the winner never picked up their prize.

Is it possible that a cash prize might be a bigger draw than a product? I think it just might. I know if it was me, I'd be much more willing to visit downtown stores if I had a chance to win $500. Or $400. Or $100. Cash.

Food For Thought: If you're going to have a contest, make it interesting and fun, as well as rewarding. Give the shoppers a great reason to come into your store, even if it is because of a contest. After all, isn't that what you want? People to walk into your place of business?

It might be fun if the downtown merchants coupled this promotion with some sort of a scavenger hunt, and gave away cash prizes.

Sounds like fun to me, but anymore, I consider breathing fun!

Dave Sechrest

[David Sechrest]

By the way, if you would like to learn more about Downtown Columbus Alive (DCA), please visit their website at: downtowncolumbusalive.com.

As far as I know, anyone can attend their meetings.

Dave

[David Sechrest]

I hope that this post will possibly trigger some of your memories.

I received an email from Alan Richards, who lives in Texas now, but grew up in Columbus.

Alan is trying to locate any information on Spurgeon's Grocery. If I remember correctly, I think Spurgeon's was on the corner of Gladstone and McKinley, across the street from the McDowall School property.

He would like to get in touch with any of the family members that were associated with Spurgeons, and it would be a real treat if some photos of it could be posted to the website someday.

The other place Alan mentioned is Matt's Fish House. He says it was located further west on McKinley, about a half block from Spurgeons. I don't remember Matt's Fish House, but I'm hoping some of you might.

For those of you who are familiar with this general area, it'a amazing how many mom and pop stores were located in such a small area back in the 50's and 60's. There was Spurgeons, and about a block away from my grandma's house (she lived at 1019 Parkway Drive), there was a small grocery on Morningside (if I remember correctly), and then travel west on McKinley and there was Wally's IGA (is that right?). Are there any others I'm missing from this area?

Anything you can shed here would be greatly appreciated...

[David Sechrest]

There is a "mini'chapter" in the Volume II history that covers Circuses, Carnivals, and Fairs.

On page 408, mention is made of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, and the fact that the "big production" never made it to Columbus.

P. T. Barnum's "Great Traveling World's Fair" did come to Columbus Indiana on July 27, 1872. The fair was transported by "three trains of 38 cars each, with four locomotives to each train."

It was billed as the "largest combined exposition on earth in six collossal tents, and seven superior shows for one price of admission."

The "doors" opened on that day at 10am, 1pm and 7pm.

"Extra trains will be run on all railroads leading to Columbus at reduced rates to convey visitors to and from the Exhibition."

Admission to the show was 50 cents, and children under nine half price.

In order to stress how large a show this was, the statement "Daily Expenses Exceed $5,000" was added at the bottom of the ad.

P. T. Barnum did bill this as "The Greatest Show On Earth!"

Barnum joined with Bailey in 1881. In 1907, the Ringlings bought out Barnum and Bailey.

[David Sechrest]

I should mention that you can purchase the History Of Bartholomew County, Volume II, from the Bartholomew County Historical Society. Cost is $53.00 (includes tax). I assume they mail this book out to those of you who live out of state.

Bartholomew County Historical Society
524 3rd Street
Columbus IN 47201

Phone: [phone]

Tell them the Historic Columbus Indiana website sent you!

[Ricky_Berkey]

I have both of those volumes and I'm trying to commit myself to read them both in their entirety this year. I've been "easter-egging" items of interest for awhile. Both were a mammoth undertaking. Volume One was largely compiled in 1888 with some revisions and additions and re-released in 1976 in honor of the American Bicentennial. It was re-issued last year with the printing of Volume Two.

A Volume Three is in the works but Jean Prather has told me that it will probably be quite some time before it ever comes out. It is intended to focus on the history of industry in Columbus and the many companies who thrived and sometimes failed thru the years.

Lots of inaccuracies are bound to pop up in such big works but overall they are a great resource. The library has several copies of each volume available.

[David Sechrest]

Did any of you notice the picture on page A5 inside the Republic this morning? A small b&w photo of the old Maple Grove school building was included with the front page article "ArvinMeritor offers BCSC former headquarters for $2M."

I'm glad that my website came in handy for Paul Minnis, as he copied verbatim my website information regarding the picture of the old Maple Grove School Building (later to become Garfield, later to become Arvin Headquarters, and by all indications, later to become the headquarters for BCSC).

He may have used the same picture as well.

The caption accompanying the picture on the website says "This picture of the old Maple Grove School came from the Bartholomew County Directory, 1903-1904. At some point after this Directory was issued, Maple Grove School became Garfield School," which is exactly as it appeared in today's paper. You can see the information here: www.historiccolumbusindiana.org/pics/pics2.htm

Back in Tuesday's Republic, the article Harry McCawley wrote concerning Washington Street included a picture that I also have on my website. It's the picture looking west along Washington Street, highlighting Cummins Bookstore, Carpenter's Drugs (before they moved to the sw corner of 5th), Dell Brothers, and Tovey's Shoes.
I remember someone brought this picture to me when I used to hang out at Cummins Bookstore, but I can't remember who brought it. It was an actual 8 x 10 photo, and very dark. I had to play around with the lighting quite a bit to really see any of the buildings on the street (and I'm still not really pleased with it).

I don't know if you ever pay attention to this or not, but, normally, there are two different captions that accompany the pictures used by the Republic. The one we see the most simply states "from the Republic archives." The other statement says something like "The Republic photo by Paige Harden," for example.

The Republic has never given me a hard time regarding any of the pictures I have on the Historic Columbus Indiana website. I am most positive that many of the pictures contained within my website offerings are in the Republic archives, especially the pictures taken for the Bartholomew County Directory, 1903-1904, for instance. I would think that not many of us had cameras back in those days, and it only makes sense that the Evening Republican would have, and their services were used for putting together such a book.

But, it would be nice if, when the Republic uses my words, they would at least give credit to the Historic Columbus Indiana website as source of the information.

[Timothy Ault]

Does anyone remebr Sammie's coney stand in east columbus in the 1960's? It was a little white building, a drive in style with the best coney dogs I have ever had in my life. I wish I had the reciepe for them or maybe I shouldnt as it would be suicide via coney for me! lol

Tim Ault [e-mail]

lived in columbus 1961(born)- 1986 -moved to Myrtle Beach

[Deleted]

Hi Tim, Your in luck Tim, here it is. One and a half pound of ground beef, three quarter table spoon of chili powder, one half cup brown sugar,one and one half green pepper ground or finely chopped, one and one half onion, one quarter cup water , two cup catsup. Brown meat & drain. add other ingredients & simmer 45 minutes or more. Enjoy

[BobLane]

Re: the comments from Margo McCaip Hughy, Did you live on 5th street in the 40's or was that before your time? I lived at 1015 5th st and remember a McCaip family two house from me,with several girls. Not sure about the spelling of that family name. I do remember those were busy girls and I thought the oldest one was cute, though I never told her. Bob Lane

[Margo CHS Class of 55]

Yes, Bob,

we lived at 1005 5th street with the "West Family" as our neighbors to the east and Dr. Overshiner's office on the corner. You must have lived the next house east of us. I passed it many times rollerskating all the way down the block to the fence at Cummins. Spent many days on those skates! We moved there in the 40's from 12th and Franklin Sts. I will have to tell Sheila you still remember her. She is currently living in Georgetown with her daughter and family.

I was born at our home on 8th and Cottage in 1937. Later Mildred Gielker(?) and family lived there. Did you know Millie? Margo McCalip Hughey

[BobLane]

Margo, Thanks for the reply and info. I only remembered Sheila and your names, but glad for the update. Yes, say Hi to Sheila. If you are interested, some of us have had a bit of remembering for the 40's. David, Nancy Stevens and myself mostly. Maybe you have read them. We would be glad for your input when you have time. Remembering the past good times I guess dates us, but I don't mind. Stay in touch, Bob

[Margo CHS Class of 55]

Memories of the 40's.. I remember playing kick the can, and red light, green light, in the evenings. Also everyone loved to catch lightning bugs and punch the holes in the top of a mayonnaise jar to keep them in.

Anybody remember sqeezing the white margarine that came in a bag with a yellow capsule, and you had to keep working it until the magarine was all yellow before you opened the bag?
We did not have a car, so walked to the old A&P store on Washington streets about 8th st, I think. We could not get much at a time, as had to carry it all the way back home.
We walked to the First Baptist Church on Franklin Streets ( 7th or 8th ?) on Sunday mornings. All 4 girls made a game of who would step on the right block in front of First Christian Church, to start the bells chiming. We also enjoyed the Cleo Rogers Library, as we all loved to read.
We went to school at Lincoln on 2nd and Franklin and had to walk home also for lunch. School policy was you had to live 13 blocks away from School, to bring your lunch to school, and we were 12 1/2 blocks! I can remember Mrs. Hazeltine was Superintendent then, and she would not budge on this. My mother, Nellie McCalip, tangled with her over lots of issues! We surely wore out a lot of shoes doing all that walking.

Our favorite retreat was Irwin Gardens. Mom and Dad did not get home from work until after 4 ,so we would stop there daily on our way home from school

Oh, the plays we dreamed up and performed in that magical Wonderland! We always thought it was our private playground, and spent many happy hours there. I often wondered in later days, how much we must have entertained the Sweeneys and Millers. We were always so careful while there. Never wishing to step on one precious flower and being very careful that we did not leave any trash behind. At that time we could crawl up on the elephant and spent many days " hunting tigers" in Africa.

We also enjoyed the Variety Shows so much at Donner Park. They were free and were a good source of exposure to different talents in and around Columbus. It was a looong walk up there, and an even longer walk back home. Mom usually packed a picnic dinner for us, and we had a little red wagon we took turns pulling all the way up there. We never realized that we were poor. We were having tooo much fun!! Must close for now, but will be back on again later this week. Blessings to all, Margo McCalip Hughey

[Margo CHS Class of 55]

This is Margo again and will try to concentrate on California Street from 5th down to 3rd Street . The McCalip family, with 4 lively daughters at home, lived the second house from the SW Corner on 5th and California. ( 1005) On the corner house for quite a while, lived the sweetest little widow woman who always had 2 beautiful cats. Can't remember what became of her, but she was such a good neighbor. Before she moved she gave us two of her prettiest cats. We loved them to pieces. Would love to know her name.

Now going down California St. the Ables lived in the home by the alley between 4th and 5th , I believe. They had a son named Larry who went to school with us, and ran around with Bob Lane, and the Records boys. Jerry Records tells me he still lives in Columbus, but there is no phone listing for him. Would love to contact him again, and refresh my memory about some items that are unclear.
On the corner of 4th and California was Art's Cleaners. If my memory serves me right, they also had a laundry there on the property.
One year we came home from school to find our house on fire, and we ran to Art's Cleaners to call the fire Department. My brother, Bill, who was home on leave from the Army evidently had left a cigarette smoldering in a trash can in the bathroom downstairs. I was so sure he was in the house and had been overcome by smoke, and I really gave the firefighters a hard time when they could not locate him. Thank God, he had left the house and was down town somewhere.
The house was not damaged physically, except the bathroom, but the smoke damage was intensive. It took many days( seemed like months) of hard work . We used some type of cleaner similiar to silly putty to clean all the wallpaper in the rooms. Oh, my goodness, I never will forget that smell and the hard physical work it took to clean all those walls! We even had to strip the front bedroom of all it's wallpaper, and that was another horrid smell with the wallpaper steamer.

Yes, all four girls helped our Mom and Dad as Bill had to report back to the Army. We went a month by having to take sponge baths out of a galvanized pan set up in the front living room. NOT FUN in the winter time !
I digress from my original topic. On the NW corner of 2nd and California ,I think, was the Schaeffer mill, where we bought our chicks each spring to raise in our garage for food. We girls( always 2 at a time) were responsible for pushing an old wicker baby buggy with big balloon tires that were deformed, down California to the Mill to buy the feed for our Chickens. If we were fortunate we also were able to buy a small sack of wheat hearts. That buggy was sooo easy to roll down the hill on California while empty,. But extremely difficult to push back up once the buggy was full. It always took two of us pushing to make it back home. We always eagerly looked for the Able's house ,as we knew we were almost home by then. I need to go back and walk that hill again to see if it is as hard as I remember it! Now across the street from Schaeffer's sat the Westermeir 's Hardware Store. The ULITMATE in storage bins, filled with all kinds of mysterious items. We as small children did not know how they were used around the home or farm. However, we always wanted to go with Dad if he made a trip to "THE STORE" as it was always an adventure. And at Christmas time we always pestered Dad to make a trip, so we could see first hand all the beautiful decorations they put up.

Somewhere in that same neighborhood was a coal company that we bought coal from to stock our monster furnace in our house. If times were good we could call the company and they would deliver a load of coal. The truck would open a storage chute at the side of our house, and the coal made a loud noise as it rattled it's way down the chute to our coal bin.
If times were tight we walked to the coal company and bought coal by the burlap sack just enough that we could haul it back home once again in the wicker baby buggy.
Must close for now and will continue later. Please check my locations as I could be off on them. the buildings and distinct smells of insides of each,remain clear in my mind, the locations were not as important.
Margo McCalip Hughey, part of the " 5th St. Bunch"

[nanc]

Hi to all, and last night I got to "pondering," why after over fifty years was my life in Columbus so much like it was "just yesterday." I reflected, and I thought, what influences here, in California, have contributed to my deep Columbus roots?

Frankly, I hated moving to California. What "thinking parents" would uproot a teenager, and a girl, at that, and expect them to believe such a change would be the best thing since apple pie? Would be willing to bet, after many crying jags on my part, that my dad did give second thoughts to this move. ;D

Once we got out here we lived for several months with my mom's brother, Joe Smith, and his wife, my Aunt Louise. Now both of them grew up in Columbus, or at least, in my aunt's case, out around Grammar. So dinner table talk centered around Columbus "tales." Maybe, I wasn't so far from "home" after all.

Columbus people frequently would stop in my folks' jewelry store when they were in the area, particularly once Disneyland opened. So Columbus news was always forthcoming. Ray W. (Pat) Patterson and his wife, Dee (Ping, of the Ping trucking co.) were around. Pat was career USMC, stationed at nearby El Toro, and they, too, grew up in Columbus. Prior to being able to replace my horse, once we got out here, I spent most weekends with Dee and Pat, as they had horses that I could ride. So I was still within a "Columbus comfort zone" and exposed to more Columbus tales over their dinner table. Pat had been POW in Japan during WW II, and many of the tales he told about that experience are ingrained in the way that I think today. And my thanks to him, as he taught me much about life.

Once I graduated from high school, wella, the fellows that I had known in Columbus were out here stationed in the service. My folks' home had a neat patio and a detached rumpus room. Was the coolest place ever to have a party, as the business and the house were attached, and in a commercial zone with no nearby neighbors, so we could turn the music up and bother noone, and had "live-in adult chaperons, too boot!" So these Columbus guys considered my house another home, and spent their off weekends at my house. The rumpus room was the "bunk house" and nearly always filled to capacity with them and their service buddies. Columbus news was always near at hand.

Altho' I could mention several, the one guy that sticks in my mind the most, was Sonny Main (Forrest Eugene) who went to Garfield and was CHS, class of '55. Sonny was a really gung-ho Marine. Spit and polish to the nines. I hated when he had inspections the coming Monday when he returned to Camp Pendleton, he made me help "spit and polish" his shoes with the end of a coke bottle. And he only once forgot to get a haircut on Saturday----asked me to "just trim his hair a little" and I will tell you the results were not good!!!

Sonny had worked during high school at the White Star Meat Market, and one Easter, out here, convinced my mom that he would prepare the ham for the holiday feast. And it was wonderful----the secret was in the basting, you used a bottle of Pepsi. He then became the official chef to do any and all hams, thereafter.

These Columbus guys and their service buddies just blended in with my California friends and we were just a big happy group having good wholesome times together. We had planned a party for an upcoming weekend, and Sonny and his good friend were planning to come. His friend, unexpectedly, had to go first to see some family over in Long Beach, and Sonny was left to "hoof it on his own" up to Fullerton to join the fun. Come Saturday night, Sonny's friend showed up, but no Sonny. Now that was really strange, not like him at all, as you could set your watch by his promptness. We all questioned his absence, but..............

Come Sunday morning, brought in the paper, only to be "blasted to one's core" with front page news stating that a young Camp Pendleton Marine had been killed by a train en route to San Diego, down around Oceanside. Yes, it was our Sonny. There is no way I can ever express the shock----I know that Columbus people grieved, and out here, Sonny's new California friends and I grieved deeply, as well.

Search as we might, even with Pat Patterson's USMC contacts, we could never discover any of the real details. It was, indeed, a very, very sad time. It took all of us a very long time to get over this horrid event.

Time passed, one married and had a family. Through my Uncle Joe, got wind of the fact that Bob and Karen (Chapman) Barkhimer and their kids were living out here. Hot dog!!! That is nearly a "chapter" in itself. Their three kids, and my two, meshed in age, and became the best of friends. Spent many family weekends together camping, or just goofing off together. That is all too long a story to tell here. Just be assured some of the best times in my California life have been in their company. My love to you guys, from the bottom of my heart!!! (Guess I should add here, that back in March of this year went to see Bob and Karen out in the desert, and something Bob said prompted me to search the internet, and quite by accident, discovered this wonderful site, and the rest of that story, is HISTORY!)

I share this part of my life, as so much of it hinged around Columbus, even tho' I was 2000 miles away.

Thanks for the memories, they are truly cherished ones in my heart. Many Columbus people have impacted my California life, and forgive me, I have only touched upon a few. My love to all of you.

Nanc

[Margo CHS Class of 55]

Nanc,
Thanks so much for sharing the information on (Sonny )Gene Main. Have printed it and will share it with the CHS Class of '55 Saturday Lunch Bunch on the 16th with the class members. He was indeed a great guy and did not have to worry about "Being shy with the girls". Sonny had a wonderful personality, and was a fantastic dancer! Will definitely share this with Carol Ferguson Burton who dated him for a while.

Guess what I'm doing ?? Just finished a delicious Fish Sandwich from "The Olde Fish House" on 17th. YUMMY
It certainly does taste a lot like the ones we used to get from Horn's fish shop.

"Dumpy" Harry Horn is now "Head Honcho " at Devening Block in Garden City. He married Barbara Devening, daughter of Norm Devening. Can never remember his wife's name. ( Doris ?)Please forgive me. The Devenings were all faithful members of First Baptist Church when it was located on Franklin Street.They had two daughters . The older one, Janice, married John Spicer and they live in Southern Fl. Barb passed away, and late Dumpy married again and has a wonderful warm wife. I got in touch with them a while back as Norm Devening was in town from Colorado and I wanted to visit with him. Unfortunately we missed connections and he made a second trip, became ill while here, so I was able to visit him in CRH. Anyone who did business with Norm Devening got treated with respect and knew they got a good deal for the money they spent. He donated quite a bit of the brick to build the new First Baptist Church when it moved from downtown to the present location at 3300 Fairlawn Drive. Norm lived to celebrate his 100th Birthday, and then went home to the Lord.
That family gave me some wonderful memories in my early childhood. My mother taught them when they were teenagers in S.S. class and I looked up to them as role models. The world needs more DEVENINGS !!!
Must close for now, another subject, another day. Blessings, Margo McCalip Hughey

[Margo CHS Class of 55]

I need to correct myself. Norman and his wife must have had 3 daughters, as he moved in with one in Colorado the last years of his life. I will have to do some digging, and see if I can come up with her name.
Norman sent me pictures of him from her home wearing a huge Stetson hat. Anyone who knew Norman and his small bald head would laugh at that picture also!! Now I have my curiosity stirred up, and will definitely have to come up with some answers. Margo

[David Sechrest]

I'm having a discussion with another person regarding the Central Christian Church building on 7th Street, between Lafayette and Pearl.

The Volume II book states that this building was the "high school" at one time. After the new Central building was built, this building became Washington Elementary. Due to the fact that I'm still in the process of moving and unpacking, I don't know where my copy of Vol. II is right off-hand.

Many postcards show this supposed "high school/elementary school" building as the Central Christian Church. On page 125 of Vol. II, it says that Washington Elementary was on Pearl Street.

Question: Was the building on 7th, before it became an apartment building, actually a church and NOT a school building?

Also: Was the old PRR station located closer to the old Cerealine building, or Mooney's Tannery?

Thanks for any help!