Do you remember 1953?

Susan Doak

Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society

From the pages of McCook's 1953 directory, I took a trip down memory lane to the people and places in our little city, "back in the days."

"You can depend on" the Cottage Tourist Court to be cheerful, modern and air conditioned, plus they have kitchen units available. Do you remember its location? Situated on the block where McCook Christian Church now stands, its address was 511 West B Street, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Douglass, owners.

Listed as an "Automobile Camp," the DeLuxe Motel, O. E. Burton's place had both air conditioning and steam heat! The DeLuxe was 1005 West B Street the block where KRD Credit Union and Acme Touch Printers exist today.

In 1953 there were many choices in automobile dealers: Budig Motor Company, 407 West B, listing Arthur, Herman and Carl Budig plus Earl M. Geis as participants in the company. (Now the location of American Electric block) Dallas Divine, 122 West B Street now approximately the parking lot for Farrell's Pharmacy. Esteb and Son Nash Co., 605 East B Street, Robert Esteb was the owner. Hormel Chevrolet Co., 201 East B, Ben Hormel and Raymond Klingner was at the same location as todays Wagner's Chevrolet as well as Volentine Auto Company, M. A. Volentine, owner, which listed 211 West 2nd as its address which is today Wagner Ford. The Hudson Garage was located at 501 East B, today's Starship Enterprise building, and Fred Shank was the dealer in 1953. Manning Motors, Manny Reynolds and Robert Bahl, sat on 223 West B Street, south of Wagner Ford today. McCook Auto, R.D. Smith and Mrs. Mildred Smith, was on the south side of West B Street near where Pride N Joy auto detailing is located. E. M. Sliger Motor Company's building, 301 East 1st Street, is now CRT. Finally, Ogier's Pontiac/GMC, right on Norris Ave. at 323, was just north of today's Top Office Products. Ray Ogier was the owner who lived in North Platte but Royal V. Rich managed the shop.

KBRL Radio Station (1450 on your dial) was situated at 1300 West J Street; Leroy W. Lenwell was the president of the company. This must be the approximate location of Bison Dental.

Pure milk, cream, ice cream and buttermilk were sold from the Ravenswood Dairy, Anna M. Bell and Joseph Frank, proprietors, 301 West Third or directly across from today's Kugler Co. offices.

Loper's Cash Grocery, offering free delivery twice a day was owned by Ray Bryan and Keith Loper and located at 309 East B, the current location for the Bottle Shop!

Try to place these Norris Avenue businesses: 104 Keystone Taxi Co.; 109 Schilz and Nelson Jewelry; 110 Olympia Candy; 111 Western Auto & the Cozy Hotel; 113 Fashion City; 120 Swan's Furniture; 201 Dunbar and Osborn Shoes; 204 F. W. Woolworth Co.; 207 Pade Hardware; 208 Pate Hardware; 210 Gamble's; 211 Gierhart's Men's Wear; 213 Jack N Jill Shop; 218 Mode O'Day Frock Shop; 219 McMillen Drug; 307 Rothmeier's Furniture; 309 Modern Studio Photography; 309 ˝ Em and Jen's Women's Clothing; 310 White House Grocery; 311 Murphy's Café; 312 Modrell's Café; 315 Singer Sewing Machine; 318 Sweetbriar Shop; 319 Montgomery Ward. I left some of the very obvious ones out so the thinking caps will have to really work to place these!

Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society open library dates for March are Saturday, March 20, from 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, March 25, from 6-8 p.m.