Items’ & other memories of Columbus Business

[RER]

Carpenter's ReXall Drug Store
Located on Corner of 5th Street ( address 436-438 Washington Street Year 1960)

Comment: Carpenter's Drug store was housed in the same space of the old St. Denis Hotel and later the Irwin Union Bank & Trust at the address listed above. See the 1800s at this web site for history of the building. As Ricky stated in an 1800s post the drug store was next door to the St. Denis Hotel until the year of 1964. That hotel address was 432 Washington Street for documentation purposes.



Source: Picture and advertisement dated 1960 or 47 years ago in CHS Log.

[RER]

Dell Brothers Men's Clothing Store Since Year 1916
416 & 418 Washington Street
Established by three brothers named William Dell, Charles Dell and Nicholas Dell. All three brothers worked during their childhood in tailoring of clothing.

Status of Store: Still open in the year of 2007 or 91 years later.

Bob "Hoot" Gibson buying shirt in 1960


Sources: CHS Logs for years 1924 and 1960

[jonas]

Does anyone remember Tichenor Auto Sales at 3030 National Road?

[jonas]

Remember Sharp's Barbershop on Cottage?

[jdhinkle]

I WENT TO SHARPS USUALLY ON SATURDAY RIGHT ACROSS FROM RICKETTS GROCERY
THERE ALSO WAS ONE ON 17TH ST NEXT TO OWENS MARKET
THE LAST WAS BRUMMIES DOWNTOWN NEXT TO HOOSIER SPORTING GOODS
NOW GONE FOR COMMONS

[RER]

Meeting Up With Friends Of The Past

Hello Jack Hinkle:

Welcome to the Columbus Historical Message boards. Your additions on the history of Lucas Brothers and Hinkle Hamburger places added a special twist of information to that subject; which most of us may not have known. Additionally, your other posts may awaken other board members, former school mates into posting their memories of the Mckinley School, Columbus High School and other businesses you mentioned. To read about those great swimming teams and football teams go to sports under the menu.

You were a great football player and kicker, plus swimming with the states best swimmers of the time. In other words your membership of "two best in the state sports teams" is something that will always be remembered. Thanks again for joining these boards and I look forward to seeing other comments you post.

UPDATE TO THIS POST: Jack and I have know each other since grade school and all the way through high school. Today, we were able to email each other and share a few details about our lives since seeing each other a few years ago. Now, if more folks would post on the historical pages herein then many old friends of the past like this example could be made. Jack and I seem very happy to have made that link today. Many others could do the same just sign up and post something. To read about those great swimming teams and football teams go to sports under the menu at this sites home page index.

[nancs]

Am a tad slow with this welcome--------------Welcome, Jack (Hinkle), to the message boards. Know that many are so enjoying your input to Columbus history. These are the kinds of things/memories that make the message board content so valuable to the real history of Columbus.

It is always fascinating to me, how the memory of one person, will trigger questions with others, and different avenues to explore. Just your 'seemingly simple' mention of a barbershop on 16th Street has led me to establishing that Eugene Chapman actually had a barber shop on BOTH sides of 16th Street at different times in the same vicinity.

And most assuredly your information and exploration about the Hinkle restaurants adds vastly to Columbus history. It is this kind of input that so extends Columbus of the past. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for your memories. Keep posting. Welcome to all newcomers to the boards.

Nanc ;-)

[David Sechrest]

Hi To All:

Please remember...this Thread should contain pics or information about Complimentary Items that businesses gave out..

[jdhinkle]

I MAY HAVE OVERLOOKED BUT I DIDNT SEE THE POST OFFICE MENTIONED
MY GRANDFATHER WILBURN OSCAR ELLIOTT WAS A POSTAL EMPLYEE FOR 47 YEARS.
AT THE OLD POST OFFICE AT 7TH AND WASHINGTON ST



AT THE TIME OF HIS RETIREMENT HE WAS ASST POSTMASTER. IM SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE REMEMBER HIM BECAUSE OF THAT. HE WAS THE POSTMASTER AT ATTERBURY DURING WWII
I REMEMBER HIM AS THE GUY WHO COULD DO ANYTHING. I THOUGHT HE SHOULD GET A MENTION BECAUSE HE WAS THE BEST.

[RER]

Engelking Patterns Incorporated
1537 Hutchins Street
Columbus Indiana

I believe this business is still operating at the same address this year 2007. It was listed in the 1953 business directory at this same address.




Picture Source: CHS Log

[jdhinkle]

RER HAS DONE IT AGAIN
I WENT TO SCHOOL ALL THE YEARS WITH MELINDA LOWELL ENGELKING'S DAUGHTER . I THINK SHE IS STILL RUNNING THE SHIP
I WAS A GOOD FREIND OF ONE OF HER BOY FRIENDS , WE REFERRED TO MELINDAS PARENTS AS TRIPLE 'L' AND MARSHMELLOW. LOWELL WAS A DIRECTOR AT THE IRWIN UNION BANK. I REMEMBER GETTING TO RIDE IN SOME CADDY CONVERTIBLES BACK IN THE 50S. I STILL REMEMBER THE YEAR SCHOOL WAS CANCELLED BECAUSE OF SNOW A BUNCH OF US WENT TO ENGELWOOD FOR A PARTY.

I WAS HOPING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH HER TO SEE IF SHE WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE SITE WITH HER FAMILY HISTORY
IF ANY ONE THERE IN COLUMBUS KNOWS HER AND READS THIS PLEASE HAVE HER GET IN TOUCH WITH ME THRU MY EMAIL

rer said:

Engelking Patterns Incorporated
1537 Hutchins Street
Columbus Indiana

I believe this business is still operating at the same address this year 2007. It was listed in the 1953 business directory at this same address.




Picture Source: CHS Log

[jdhinkle]

I THINK THOSE COEDS ARE JUDY GRIFFIN, LAURAL STRAHL,NANCY THOMPSON AND JEANNINE NEUEN TWICE

rer said:

Tovey Shoe Company 1950s
410-412 Washington Street, Columbus Indiana (they were at this address even in 1953)
I had to chuckle the other day when someone recalled (in the Republic Newspaper) the movement of Tovey Shoes to South/East 25th Street many years ago, with other memories he expressed. Gosh, Tovey's Shoe was around before that person was probably old enough to buy his own shoes.



Source: This picture was taken in 1960, but Tovey Shoes was located at downtown Washington Street for many years in the 1950s.

[jdhinkle]

LIFE OF THE PARTY PAIR ARE BILL BAXTER AND JANET ROBERTSON

rer said:

Union Starch and Refining Company, Inc.
Union Sales Company
The Never Ending Story of Address 301 Washington Street

Joesph I. Irwin and son William G. Irwin started the ball rolling with this company. I remember still buying these products in the 1960s. This clip is from the 1960 CHS Log. I recall that my grandmother and mother used Reddi Starch on clothing and we used Pennant Syrup on pancakes. Marshmal-O-Creme was good out of the jar.

-Marshmal-O-Creme
-Pennant Syrup
-Reddi Starch

1960 1958
1955

Sources: Pictures from the 1955, 1958 and 1960 CHS Logs. Richard provided the 1955 picture.

[jdhinkle]

DECIDED TO ADD THIS PICTURE OF A BUSINESS OF DELIVERING




THIS IS PHOTO OF THE POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES ON THE FRONT STEPS OF THE OLD POST OFFICE AT 7TH AND WASHINGTON

I THINK THIS PICTURE IS ABOUT 1950
THE GENTLEMAN THIRD FROM THE RIGHT IS MY UNCLE WALTER COLE AND IN THE THIRD ROW ON THE RIGHT IS GRANPA WILBURN ELLIOTT

[timault]

Dec 22, 2007 13:44:10 GMT -5 jonas said:

Does anyone remember Tichenor Auto Sales at 3030 National Road?

Bought a car there, owner was murdered in the place back in the 80s was a big story in the republic back then

[BobLane]

I just got to wondering, what ever happened to "Hoosier Pete" "Wake Up" and "Clark" gas stations? They were probably the forerunner of the convience stores we now have.
Bob Lane

[richard]

Have you received the e-mail about the 1936 Stainless Steel Ford that was produced for Allegheny Ludlum Steel?

I received these memories after Charles Snyder received that e-mail.

I remember our blacksmith in Taylorsville Walter Wink Ford. He had a 1936 Ford, just like the Stainless Steel Car. His was a regular car and was dark blue and man that car would move with the V-8 they put in them at that time.

My dad always drove a Chevrolet and traded every year with the Chevy dealer in Columbus who was Daily Powell. The Powell dealership was on 2nd and Jackson Street. He had some guys who were young working for him and I will name a few and see if you ever heard of them.

Lawrence Rager was the service manager. James Dickey worked in sales and the office. Jack Houk was a really good salesman for Powell and they had the best-run dealership I ever knew about as they had so many good guys that later went into business for themselves.

Jack Houk had his own lot after the war on 7th Street between Washington and Jackson Street. In 1953 his carlot was located at 1022 twenty-fifth Street. Casey Foist was a mechanic and later had his own shop on 14th Street just east of Union Street. My dad's sister Mabel lived at 1218 Union Street and we used to be there so much. I will never forget a maroon Buick convertible he had in 1947.

Listen to this. My dad traded the Master Deluxe Chevrolet every year and they had an agreement it could be less than $75 but no more than $125 to trade. But back then the cars only sold for seven or eight hundred and I think a Buick was a little more than a thousand. Daily Powell lived on the N/E corner of 17th and Washington Street for a long time and I can still picture a 1938 Robin Egg Blue Chevy convertible his wife drove being parked along the Street. They had no children and moved later up on Washington Street to a larger home and then he got older and sickly, sold out and built a new one story house just across the street from Suverkrup’s. You probably know that is where Linden Lane came out from Riverside Dr. at about 26th & Washington Street’s and that is where they lived on the east side of the Street.

Daily traveled to the Cleveland Clinic where he was diagnosed as having cancer that was terminal and his old friend Jack Houk drove him up there and stayed with him and brought him home. Daily laid in the back seat all the way home as he felt so bad. They
drove Powell's car which was a 1958 Cadillac Fleetwood or Sixty Special as they
called them at that time
.
In fact Bob Fry bought the dealership from Powell and I think Bill Dunfee from Fry but not sure. (*my note: I think that happened in mid 1964 and then Bill Dunfee moved to a new building on National Road.) My dad didn't want to pay a black market price for a new Chevy after the war and that is what it took to get one so he wound up buying a new Chrysler Windsor from Wiles & Johnson Chrysler on 38th and College in Indy. It was maroon and we took off on a trip out west as soon as he got it in August of 1946.

My first car was a 1947 Chevy coupe. Powell put extras’ they had on all their cars and the car was around eight or nine hundred but near 13 hundred with the fancy radio and sun visor and other extras they could put on them.

Those were the days.

[RER]

The Oldest Family Flower Shop In Columbus
Barnaby's Flower & Gift Shop (Since 1888)
3908 25th Street
Columbus, Indiana


Advertisements 1890s

History of Barnaby Flower Shops (1888 to 2009)

Barnaby's Flowers and Gifts Founded: 1888 Location: Original location unknown, Columbus (1888); northeast corner of Union and Fifth Streets (1898-1922); 428 Fifth Street (1922- ); northwest corner of Lawton and Seventeenth Streets (originally Seventeenth and Washington Streets); 1702 Lawton Avenue (1993).

In 1888 Charles S. Barnaby established himself as a florist in Columbus. The 1898-99 city directory lists him on the northeast corner of Union and Fifth Streets, providing choice cut flowers, floral designs made to order, and greenhouse and bedding plants.

In 1922 Charles's son, Lynn A. Barnaby, opened Barnaby's Flower Shop at 428 Fifth Street. In addition to selling flowers, the Barnaby family recorded Bartholomew County's weather and rainfall information. Lynn Barnaby's retail shop closed during the Great Depression, however, and he returned to the family's wholesale and retail business then located at Seventeenth and Washington Streets.

Everett R. and Virginia M. Barnaby assumed ownership of the shop under the name Barnaby's Flowers in 1968. Barnaby's Flowers was destroyed by fire on 14 February 1970. It was rebuilt that spring and reopened as a retail florist.

In 1992 Judith M. Barnaby Yentz took over the shop and renamed it Barnaby's Flowers and Gifts. Today the shop is on 25th Street.
_________________________________________

Comment: I recall my family buying flowers at Barnaby's and also I bought flowers there for CHS Prom activities.


Sources: 1903-1904 Bartholomew County Directory, and the internet search results.

[richard]

The Kroot Corporation

A century ago Joseph Kroot, an immigrant from Poland, began an early version of the business in Indianapolis. In 1900, he bought some land in Edinburgh, Indiana where he dealt in iron, rags, rubber, metal, hides, tallow and wool using a horse and wagon to haul salvage materials from surrounding areas. In 1907, Mr. Kroot moved his operation to Columbus, Indiana and as the Twentieth Century progressed, the business kept pace.

The 1920's saw the business expand to include processing as well as collecting materials. The use of the Model "T" truck and the addition of a railroad car loading track pit enabled a better distribution of scrap and a wider collection area.

In the 1930's Joseph Kroot's three sons - Abe, Ben and Sam - came into the business. With the 1940's and World War II, Kroot's scrap yard, like many industries across the nation, was forever changed. Due to war production, the yard's operations became mechanized; in effect it became an outdoor factory. It was at this stage that the Kroot Corporation developed the different divisions - ferrous, non-ferrous, new steel and paper.

After World War II the Kroot Corporation was well established as a service industry both to the manufacturing plant and the end-user factory or mill. The growth of the business continued into the 1960's when grandsons’ Joe and Arthur Kroot became the third generation to join the Kroot Corporation. By 1965, the business had outgrown its location in intercity Columbus and a new yard was built at our current site at 2915 State Street. In 1995, Josh Kroot continued the tradition of family ownership into its fourth generation.

View the Internet site here. kroots.com/about.html

[BobLane]

This is a note to add to the kroot information. It is only "hear-say" as I only remember my dad talking about it. Dad bought almost all his auto parts from Earl Elkins auto parts on probably first street. He said Mr. Elkins could not say enough good about Mr. Kroot. At one point during the 1930's Mr. Elkins said he could not stay in business any longer so he went to see Mr. kroot to see if he would buy his business. Mr. Kroot told him, Mr. Elkins, I just cannot operate without some compitation. Whatever we have to do to keep you in business we will do, and that is just what he did. He never said what the help was but it kept Elkins Auto Parts going. Just part of my memories, Bob Lane