Gillespie main street looking south |
The building on the right used to be a bank and next to it on the left was the Woolworths Five & Ten store. They had all sorts of nice things in the store and I enjoyed shopping there with the few dimes I had to spend.
Another view looking south. I stood in the road to take this picture. |
I lived on Maple St near the Catholic Church whose steeple is on the left side of the photo. About a block from where the picture was taken was the Big 4 train track which crossed the ITS.
The building below with the false front is destined to become an outdoor beer garden one of these days.
This theater showed first run films and it cost 9 cents to get in when I was a child. Coming up with the 9 cents wasn't that easy for a 10 year old then. The name of the theater has changed a number of times and a number of years ago the town was decorated with canna flower pots on main street. That is when the name was changed to the Canna Theater. I hear it's now being used as a church.
Gillespie has always been a good baseball and softball town and the games were played at the Welfare Park. The photo below is a softball field. It was in immaculate shape and is well used to this day.
Softball field from left field |
There have been many changes to my old hometown, some good and others bad. The main street isn't as lively as it was in the 1950s and 1960s. A number of businesses have closed and almost all of the bars/saloons have closed down. We do have a Mexican and a Chinese restaurant in town now which is a big change from long ago. There are two local car dealers which sell Fords and Chevys. Big rivalry here between fans of each company with Ford leading the way.
Many of my friends have remained in the area and when I get a chance I look them up, plus I see them during the High School reunions. Most of them look older now which is a surprise to me since I haven't changed. Yah, right says Gerry.
At least the Dairy Queen is still open and serving great banana splits, cones and blizzards. We visited it a couple times already and most likely will check it out again before we leave.
My brother and his children have kept us busy with dinners out, visits and entertaining us. It's great to see them and how well they are doing.
That is what we've been up to the last 4-5 enjoyable days.
I remember going to Woolworths. The penny candy was my favorite part...hehe
ReplyDeleteGlad to read y'all are having a nice visit. Can't beat making memories with family.