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1950s Trip Downtown Provided Full Day

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Saturday afternoons in the 1950s often meant a trip to downtown Johnson City for a neighborhood buddy, Hagan Reed, and me. We walked east on West Market Street from Johnson Avenue, a distance of about a mile.

The main department stores then were S.H. Kress, McLellans, Woolworths, Charles Stores, Sears Roebuck, Powells, J.C. Penney, Dosser’s, Kings and Parks-Belk. Our first stop was Earl Hicks’ Produce, where my great uncle, Walter Bowman, would offer us a sample of fresh fruit. We initially walked the entire length of Main Street, entering whatever stores suited our fancy. If our shoes needed repair, that necessitated a stop at the Arcade Shoe Shop for a Cat’s Paw heel or sole. The staff gave us a sheet of white paper to rest our stocking feet on while we waited.

Wallace’s Shoe Store had a new x-ray machine used to fit shoes. We inserted our foot into a bottom slot, glanced into the top viewfinder, wiggled our toes and watched the bones in our foot move. Kings Department Store’s attraction was an open-cage elevator ride, traveling from the basement to the fifth floor and back. This excursion, with its creepy looking fully exposed shaft, was as exciting as any carnival ride. The attendant often had to move the elevator up and down to align it with the floor, negating a tripping hazard for customers.

Another stopover was Pat Watson’s Trading Post to exchange some of my dad’s paperback books for comic books. Our choice for lunch was often John’s Sandwich Shop; a couple of dime hot dogs and a nickel coke would send us on our way. Sometimes, we patronized Kress’s food counter, usually consuming a hamburger, French fries and a soft drink for under a half dollar. Before departing, we spent several minutes gazing into their tropical fish tanks.

Henry Frick’s Music Mart and Burgess Smythe’s Electric allowed us to preview some records in one of their enclosed sound booths. The Southern Railroad Depot afforded us the excitement of watching trains being loaded and unloaded. It also included a brief pause at Zimmerman’s News Stand next door. Saturdays were always enhanced by a chance encounter with John Kilby, a comedic person frequently seen in the downtown district. This hilarious old chap was a delight to his many fans.

If we needed a haircut, we could choose between fifteen barbershops within walking distance of Fountain Square. We usually patronized Primus Dees at the Majestic Barber Shop or Boyd Purdy at the Palace Barber Shop, paying 50 cents for a trim, all the while listening to Paul Harvey on the radio. The highlight of the afternoon was watching a movie at the Liberty, Tennessee, Majestic or Sevier Theatre, the first two establishments being our favorites.

Before trekking home, we stopped at Market Street Drug Store to purchase any needed three-cent stamps or penny post cards from their small post office in the back. Our final digression was the Red Shield Boy's Club for some brief recreational activity, accompanied by a free bottle of Pepsi.

Today, I cannot drive downtown and walk the streets without thinking of those simple carefree days of yesteryear when our parents, without worry, permitted two pre-teenage boys to enjoy an entire Saturday in the heart of Johnson City.

  • Businesses

Hagan Reed

Steven Hagan Reed (not verified) — Mon, 2011-02-21 08:50

Wow! I have found many connections to these many stories to include this one for my late father was Hagan Reed. I often heard of his childhood on Johnson Ave with many names Spurrier's Whitehead's, as well as yours Mr. Cox, Clark Street as even I growing up in same area Lincoln Ave Ext. I also was familiar with the King's Department Store open cage elavator as my Grandmother, Belva Lee Cox, worked there in Boys and Girls until they closed, I remember the most real life Santa Claus every year. I also remember the Capri Theater on Sat morning's for six bottle caps and Biff Burger, Jiffy Market, Dutch Maid and Publix, who with groceries would meet you outside by your car on a roller rack and basket once you gave them the the numer of your basket. 

Hagan Reed

bobcox — Tue, 2011-02-22 20:54

Steve: Really great hearing from you. I met Hagan in 1950 when we were both about eight years old. We had just built a house on Johnson Avenue. Our front yard was full of dirt after workers dug a half basement for the house. We visited each night to see how much progress had been made. On one visit, I saw Hagan sitting on the big dirt pile. We immediately became good friends.

Mr. Spears who lived directly behind our house on Polk Avenue was our builder. I recall Hagan, Margaret, Janice and Phyllis and their parents, Della and Roy. Roy was a bricklayer in his early days. I remember the sad news of his death. Hagan and I frequently went to town on Saturday (as I mentioned in my article). We had great fun.

I learned of Hagan's passing about a week after our SHHS reunion a few years ago (about ten?). We discussed Hagan at that reunion. The Reed family added much joy to my growing up years behind the big brick Henry Johnson School. I am thrilled to hear from you. boblcox@bcyesteryear.com.

Hagan Reed

steven hagan reed (not verified) — Tue, 2011-03-01 15:49

Mr Cox,
Thank-you for your response. It is a true treasure, your site and sure it is demanding as it is exciting. I again have many memories as well. I too, as I live in Atlanta now still have a past childhood of Johnson City.
I went to the" Henry Johnson" and North Jr High before consolidation at Liberty Bell then onto the "Hill" Class "1980"
I still have many associations with East Tenn, Johnson City and surrounding area Tri-Cities Erwin, etc..to this day. Thank-you Again and God Bless your site as well as your family.

Article on Johnson City

Joyce Sadler Jett (not verified) — Wed, 2010-10-20 07:31

This brought back many old memories because I have walked those streets many times. Earl Hicks was my Uncle and my brothers and sisters (14 of us) watched the old Western movies every Sat. afternoon that we could spare a quarter. I remember all the stores you mentioned. I worked parttime at Kress while I was in Boones Creek High School. My older sister graduating from Science Hill High School. Do you remember Allison's Bakery on Main Street? Wendal Allison was the proud owner. I worked there on Sat., what a nice walk down memory lane. Thanks so very much for bringing the wonderful memories back. Joyce Sadler Jett now in Houston TX.

Hicks Produce

Sandra Street (not verified) — Fri, 2011-02-04 22:09

Would love to see any photos you may have of the market Joyce as my grandfather worked there as well!

Downtown Johnson City

bobcox — Tue, 2011-01-25 18:20

Joyce: Pardon my delay in answering you. My web provider lost both my main and backup websites and I had to redo it from scratch. I have been working months on it. I now have all the articles uploaded but only about 25% of the photos. My uncle, Walter Bowman worked for Mr. Hicks for years at the fruit market. I stopped in there frequently to get a sample of fruit. I very much remember Allison's Bakery. Great donuts and other pastries. I miss the old downtown Johnson City. It is so sad to walk Main and Market streets now and see how so much has changed. It is almost empty unlike the crowds we used to have there. Thanks for your nice words about my articles. This is my retirement hobby. I have about 350 written now. I love to go back to JC to research history. Thanks for your note on my new website.  

Bob Cox's Yesteryear

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