A Walk Around the Square

A Walk Around The Square – Mid 1950s to ’60s.

By Kit Zinser

One of the many charms of Washington is the town square, and it just keeps getting better.  In the late 1800s and early 1900s, you could find any household need downtown….finest meats and cheeses, baked goods, yard goods, sundries, a silent movie, and later, Hollywood features and cowboy serials, banking needs, and curatives.  As a 92-year-old said recently, “When I can’t sleep, I stroll about the stores circling the square, savoring the memories at each and every doorway and the personalities of each proprietor.” Jacqueline Thunfors, 1928-present, living in Washington from 1930-1945.

We begin at Brecklin’s corner (formerly Dick and Cliff’s Standard Oil).  Walking North, past the city building, which housed the jail, police, city offices, and library. In the back auditorium with the stage, Mrs. Grigsby conducted dance classes. Washington Players offered melodramas with nary an empty seat on opening night.  An anticipated hush as lights dim, and the heavy velvet curtain slowly parted, revealing zany characters crafted by locals...Miriam Grimm, Ron Marshall, Clyde Nutty, Lois Sampson, Martha Jackson, Clem Baer, and Gwen Combs, to name a few.  Mrs. Thrailkill organized the Rec Club upstairs, where teens played the latest records and danced the Bop.  Apparel criteria:  White buck shoes for the guys, Capezios, and crinolines for the girls.  Romani’s Cafe (1952 changed to Ray’s Cafe) huddles beneath the city building along with Lynxwiler Studio.  

Henry Esser Insurance is between the city building and The Spot, a local tavern with a black tile exterior and neon sign. Dykstra Jewelry sold the finest watches and jewelry.  High School students ordered their class rings and graduation gifts through Mr. and Mrs. Dykstra. Essig Law offices are there now. Stepping across the alley and turning West, 

Marshall’s Tavern stands as a beacon with its oval carved wood bar and red leather bar stools.  Their signature chicken and Mom Marshall’s homemade pies drew thousands of loyal customers from many states.  The waitresses were well-coiffed with a pert little headpiece and a lacy handkerchief folded as a corsage or a fresh flower in a tiny vase on one shoulder.  

Next to Marshall’s is the Tazewell Theater, phone number 153, where the marquee heralds the movie now showing.  The sides showing coming attractions.  Musicals, comedies, and westerns were the main features, with newsreels and cartoons ahead of the main feature.  The Brunnemeyer family operates the popcorn concession, none equaling their buttered popcorn since.  

Continuing West, I walk past Cilco (today a delightful shopping experience with Sentimental Journey) and step into Land’s Clothing Store, which offers fine hand-tailored suits and accessories. WACOHI students purchased letter jackets from Michael Gregory for many years.  The Holland family had many entrepreneurial establishments nearby, and fortunately for us,  Elaine and Gary Lucas restored nostalgia with their shopping experiences where you can get a chocolate soda or shake that takes you back 50 years!!  

Washington Savings and Loan (phone number 3) stood in the vicinity of Black, Black, and Brown.  The A and P Grocery Store, now Lucky Charlie’s, was on the square before it moved to Peoria Street.  Mahlon Blumenshine, as a teen, stocked the shelves.

Next is Tully’s Drug Store where lime phosphates were the specialty served up by teenage soda jerks. Merle Norman is on that spot now.  

Washington State Bank (formerly Denhart’s) stood where the boutique hotel and Blacksmith is today.  Turning at that corner, Heini Ganzhorn had a cobbler’s shop with hides hanging from the rafters, and Heini could make an old pair of shoes look brand new.  Ray Heiple had his law office, and Dr. Cohen had a medical office near what became the Summer Insurance offices for years after.

If you cross Main by the little white building on the corner which housed Dr. Monroe’s practice (recently the Doctor’s Museum hosted by Washington Historical Society), and stand in the parking lot today, you can almost see the big stone building of Reed’s Garage.  Their tow truck’s painted slogan read, “Don’t Cuss, Call Us.”  Brunk’s today held the Uptown Bowl and Pool Hall.  On hot summer nights, you could hear the click of the billiard balls as smoke wafted into the street.  

Continuing south, Smith Electric and Gas Appliances complemented the Herbst Furniture and Hardware stock.  A door connected the stores from the Ben Franklin Five and Dime, which sat next to Herbst.  Today, Golden Finch, Step Back in Time, Define the Home, and Lori’s Kitchen offer their wares in that section.  Steimle’s Drug Store occupied the space that Foster Jewelry does today.  Formerly there were two buildings housing the I. Zinser Pharmacy and Jewelry store.   Behind the Zinser store was the Airdome, an outdoor silent movie venue).  Don Gronewold purchased the Steimle Drug Store and served Washington’s health needs for many years.  He built a new pharmacy, which is where Martin Financial is today. All the pharmacies offered handmade sodas, flavored cokes, and friendly chats from the marble fountain counter.  

As you cross the street heading South, look to your right where Lindy’s now stands.  The Ben Franklin was there just before Lindy’s.  But, way back was Garber Ford Motor Company.  Ford Motor would send new models, and the dealers would cover showroom windows until the unveiling date.  On the corner was Mickey’s Diner, which had stools, a Formica counter, and a live monkey kept in the kitchen.

Spring’s Dress Shop sold hosiery, jewelry, hats and dresses at reasonable prices next to Mickey’s.  An Easter chapeau could be purchased for as low as $4.00.  

Next is Menz’s Grocery – home style service and quality products.  Adjacent to Menz is Johnny Leonard’s Bakery, where towering square birthday cakes were treasures to behold,  and his glazed doughnuts were the best.  Johnny could make a mean Graveyard and cherry phosphate for just a nickel.  Next to that is Ideal Hardware and then Paul’s Grocery – Mr. and Mrs. Thrailkill provided home delivery where the stock boys would not only deliver your groceries but put them in the cupboard and refrigerator if you were not home.  Looking south again before we cross, you can see Bride’s Tin Shop, Meyer’s Studebaker, along with Dr. Bennett and Dr. Clymore’s offices near what is now Joos Realty. There was Lehman’s Insurance and Kenneth Black’s law office...a short walk home.

In the now empty lot stood Roehm’s Shoe Store.  The old building groaned when you walked in, and the red carpet laid out was just for trying on shoes.  If you didn’t know your size, Bea Roehm would let you insert both feet into the X-ray machine and press the silver button on top.  Sure enough, your bones glowed green and gave her an indication of the size and any aberrations! Heini Ganzhorn started out here, and between the smell of leather and the sight of shoe boxes stacked neatly to the ceiling, this was a place to love.  Twice a year, before school, you bought sturdy school shoes and Keds for PE, and at Easter, you bought patent leather dress shoes. 

Next to Roehm’s was Chuck’s Barbershop.  The powdered brushes and razors stood neatly under the large mirrors while Chuck doused even the youngest of customers with aftershave.  The Tazewell Reporter published its paper between Chuck’s and Dr. Mueri’s dental office, where his assistant, Mabel Corpe, put hundreds of patients at ease with her sweet smile and comforting words for many years and lunchtime found her enjoying a hamburger at the Tally Ho with her grandchildren.  The South Side Tavern was almost opposite in location and experience from Marshall’s Tavern.  This was a true watering hole where many events were conceived and implemented.  Then came Findley’s Meat Market, where meats were cut and ground in front of you. Dogs could walk in, pick up their bone in a paper bag, and head home to enjoy Findley’s generosity.  On the Southeast side of the square stood the First National Bank Building, which was restored by Tom and Judy Gross and recently sold to the Washington Historical Society. LeBakery occupies the former LeFleur Flower Shoppe on the corner. The Tally Ho faced Brecklin’s and offered great hamburgers and shakes. 

If you look down Walnut on the south side across from Brecklins, Wishing Star and Prep, Cook and Freeze stand, while many years ago, Ray’s Toggery was next to John Diemer’s Used Furniture and Korn Korner (formerly Ullom’s Jewelry) sat next to the old post office.  Dr. Kinsinger’s dental office was upstairs before he moved to the little brick house on South Main.  Rayleen’s Beauty Shop was on the corner. Later on the corner, Marci’s Pizza delighted many families with their pies.  People still crave a Marci’s Pizza.

One thing has not changed, and that is the proprietors on the square and throughout our city hold the same values and loyalty to customers as in the past.  That is a commendable and sustaining promise to Washington’s future.