Jeanne Newby
Once again, we are taking a trip down memory lane, thanks to some readers who have shared a memory or two.
A few years ago, Nancy Carlson and the other Business Professional Women got together to remember of few stores that have faded into the past… “Out of sight, out of mind.” Let’s wander down Main Street, around town and on to the West End with these ladies. (Along with a few extra places remembered by other readers).
Do you remember when the junior high school was located on Webb Street between First Street and Broadway? Later the bricks from that building, which was torn down, were used to build the Smith Shirt Factory. That building is now a warehouse.
Do you remember Allen Shoe Store, located next to Drachenberg Jewelry? For that matter, do you remember Drachenberg Jewelry? It was located in the Unity Building and is now home to the Pinocchio Dance Studio, with dance attire in the window? Before Drachenberg Jewelry, the store was known as Zaumseil’s Jewelry. Besides Allen Shoe Store and later, Taylor’s Mens and Ladies Wear, the building to the south was a Kroger’s grocery store. Next to the alley was Teel’s ice cream store.
Back behind the Merchant & Miners Bank (the Unity Building) was Crowel Jewelry (on the alley). At one time, it was home to the Dupont Powder Co.
Thinking of downtown glory days, you can’t help but remember the towering Newland Hotel, at Church and Main streets. It had such an unusual roofline and took a quarter of a block. It became an apartment building and was condemned in 1941.
Do you remember The Hub? It was located in the Middlewest Building. Across the street was Mr. Kallas’ Coney Island, where Webb City got its first taste of hot dogs. Remember Shapiro’s Shoe Store on Main Street, next to the Dickinson Theater, which rehabilitated a portion of the Newland? How about Chester Roney’s hardware store and merchantile store, where the Webb City Sentinel used to be (now Integrity Custom Homes)?
Brown Grocery Store was located on Daughterty Street where Parkway Cleaners is located. Across the street from the Memorial Park was a billboard-type sign letting the town know the names of the most recent service men who had given their lives in defense of our freedom during World War II. Kids would run down to read the billboard each day and hurry home to tell their mothers what names had been added.
Do you remember the three movie theaters, the Civic, the Junior and the Dickinson? And how about the fancy restaurant that Larsen had on Webb Street, the Civic Drive-in Cafe.
Do you remember the paint and wallpaper store next to the Bradbury Bishop Drug Store? And how about Savmor IGA, two doors down from the Bradbury Bishop Drug store?
Wheeler’s shoe store was located next to Bruner’s Drug Store in the old YMCA building.
Let’s head to the West End, a town within a town. The streetcar barn was located on the northeast corner of Madison Street and Broadway. That corner later became the location of the Pay ‘n Save, which later became the Foodtown store. The new Foodtown store was built behind the old one and that building is still being used by Toad Ranch Cages.
Remember the old coal yard at Madison and Daugherty streets, where the Frisco Church is located? And across the street was Smith’s Fuel and Ice? Also located in the West End was the Ball & Gunning Mill, on the corner of Austin and Madison streets. Many a flower sack was purchased to make dresses, skirts, aprons and shirts.
Also in the West End, just “catty corner” from the mill was the lumber yard.
On the northwest corner of Madison and Daugherty streets was Berrian’s Grocery Store, next to Etter’s Bakery. Along the block east of the West End Drug store was Mr. Peek’s restaurant and Stone Grocery.
The hub of the West End was the Frisco Depot, where trains came and went all day long. On the southwest corner of Madison Street and Broadway, do you remember the K&H Restaurant?
Madison Street (south) became quite a busy business district. Do you remember the Karbe Grocery store, where the Dollar General is today? They had a fire in 1960 and rebuilt in 1961.
A big attraction on Madison Street occurred in 1953 when the Webb City Drive-in was built. Do you remember when the 4th of July meant a wonderful firework display at the drive-in? You could watch the fireworks from all over town.
And you can’t take a run around town without remembering 1952, when the Smiths opened the Webb City Dairy Queen! That was competition for Monte’s Creamy Cup at 13th and Madison streets. Do you remember the Madison Motel and the Ozark Motel? Webb City had everything a town would need. What a great place to live.
Thank you BPW ladies (a club now disbanded) and to the other readers who added to this list of memories.
