Around the Square at Close of 1946

From the Oskaloosa Independent, Jan. 9, 1947 

1946 is not too far gone to present to our readers a brief picture of a twelve-month so interesting as to be “one for the record.”  

South side of square. Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society. [Ed.: Images of the Oskaloosa courthouse square are mainly from the 1940s but may not all be from 1946.]

SOUTH SIDE (Jefferson St., west to east) [incl. S. side of Square, W. to E.]

County Garage

Reynolds’ Rexall Drug Store Since Aug. 29, 1946, operated by Mr. and Mrs. O. L. Reynolds, from Topeka, who purchased the corner building and business known for nearly half a century as McCreight’s drug store. In four months they have developed a volume far beyond their expectations.

I.G.A. Store – W. I. Thompson

Sutton’s Variety Store

Postoffice – Lee Gibson, Postmaster Additions and replacements of lock boxes and redecoration of interior. Building ownership of Mrs. Ella Patrick.

Fish & Ratliff Enjoyed good sales of hammer-mills and other farm items but activity greatly curtailed by impossibility of stocking merchandise in their lines due to slow industrial recovery

Farm Bureau Office Russell Klotz, new county agricultural agent, conducted an expanding program, with emphasis on 4-H development (from 6 to 14 clubs from 107 to 300 members, held a most successful 4-H county fair); of soils improvement (secured establishment of a county-wide soils district, ran terrace lines for 85 farms); launched Blue Cross county-side campaign; sprayed 3500 head of cattle for an increase of ten dollar value per animal; upped bureau membership from 260 to 400 at year’s end.

Soils Conservation Office temporarily with farm bureau, Chas. W. Stewart, heat technician in charge.

Bindweed Supervisor Headquarter at farm office, Homer Metzger, supervisor

Kansas Power & Light Dist. Office W.A. Payne, Dist. Manager. The Company completed an alternative power line from Oskaloosa to McLouth on highway 16-92. Numerous farms connected for service.

Oska Theatre Operated by Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Gelabert, who purchased the former “Ritz” from W. A. Payne, completely remodeled the interior, and the front, installed latest equipment and operated seven evenings a week with a good grade of pictures.

Gelabert Apartments The Gelaberts remodeled the second story of their building into a comfortable and attractive modern 5 room apartment.

Pool Hall Mike Andre, owner.

Real Estate E. E. Casebier, 2nd floor

Ken’s Store Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Goss

City Library (2d floor) Mrs. A.C. Wilson, librarian

State Bank Resources passed one million dollars; Oskaloosa’s first million dollar bank. New fixtures and complete redecoration brought the appearance of this business up to the minute.

Second Floor offices over bank

Milton P. Beach, attorney

Amos H. Leech, abstracter

Register of Deeds Katie Everett interim official by appointment, resigned was succeed by Emily Bowen.

Sinclair service station and Independent printing office. Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society.

Sinclair Service On Oct. 1, Roscoe Miller acquired the station lease, Chas. Gardiner devotes full time to tank wagon bulk delivery.

Newspaper Office The Independent in its 87th year. The McLouth Times in its 60th and 28th under present management.

Simon Service (Skelly station) At close of 1946 Don Simon bought out the interest of his brother Roger, who was an active partner upon his return from military service.

Presbyterian Church Willard P. Thompson, minister

Waggoner Lumber Co. Very little lumber during the year but supplied ample coal.

Waggoner Gas Station was leased in June to LaVern Garren, succeeding Harry Brown, who took a rest for his health during summer.

Elm Café Dale K. Jackson

Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society.

EAST SIDE (Delaware St., south to north) [S. to N., Incl. E. Side of Square]

Welding Shop The stone building known for a generation as Charlie Golden’s blacksmith shop but long vacant, was “restored to circulation” by Ken Goss, who bought the building and was accumulating materials for its remodeling when Messieurs McAdam and Haag of Holton came along and bought it, laid a concrete floor, made other improvements, by fall were running a welding establishment.

Veterinarian (Rear room of bank building) Dr. Dean K. Weckman, in mid-year, purchased the practice of Dr. S. J. Dowds.

Ice Storage Plant Local agency passed, Oct. 1, from Chas. Gardiner to John Williams.

Legion Hall The post upped its membership in 1946 from 41 to 111, launched or sponsored several new activities.

Luster Motors Led the local procession in delivery of new cars, – Chryslers, Plymouths – however there were hardly enough to make even a small procession.

Physician’s office Dr. D. M. Stevens, only active physician at Oskaloosa, endeavored to serve a wide territory

Real Estate Office Walter M. Pennington, had a young partner a short time, later “on his own” again.

Insurance and Tax Consultant Fred M. Thompson

Corpstein-Weishaar Had considerable success in securing merchandise, keeping two or three store clerks busy beside shop personnel.

"Hotel de Jeff," aka the jail. Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society.

“Hotel de Jeff” (i.e. the jail) Due to vigorous “solicitation” activities of Sheriff Dean Steffey, the county jail had numerous occupants during 1946.

The Farmers Store The business operated many years by Waldo Shultz passed, in March to Maj. Joel Dobbs, young veteran of World War II, and was resold by him in September to Walter Bleil, who came from Kansas City, bought this business, the building and a residence for his family.

Beatrice Milk Receiving Station The opening of this institution, and the erection of a commodious building to house it, was a major improvement of 1946. Roy Sharkey and Waldo Shultz in active management.

Jefferson County courthouse. Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society.

NORTH SIDE (Washington St., west to east) [incl. N. side of Square, W. to E]

Fox Grocery Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Fox

Mountain’s Hardware Opened in March by Max Mountain at the remodeled location for a generation the stand of his grandfather P. Machiels. By the year end, with gradual loosening of merchandise, Max was developing a nice business.

The Leader Store Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Gaston of Kansas City purchased this establishment of Goehner & Moore in March; by year’s end had built a considerable business in dry goods and furnishings against tremendous buying difficulties. Their grocery department was also a steadily growing feature.

Chevrolet and J. I. Case Agency Clifford Reusch. Shop and parts departments very active, machine sales slow, auto sales all but stymied by the retarded industrial recovery.

Oskaloosa Truck Line Ed Jeffery, owner. A major service institution to Oskaloosa and wide territory around.

Shoe Shop W. A. Vendel

Shoe, harness and repair shop F. W. Robertson moved from the Fernstrom building to west room of the Walter Burton block.

Jones Auto Sales Mr. and Mrs. Chas. L. Jones. This business, formerly operated from residence west of town, re-opened in Burton block in March.

Beer Parlor Sold by Walter Burton late in the year together with building block, to Everett Marker from Ozawkie.

Standard Oil bulk station Andy Kern, dealer.

Blacksmith shop Opened by Orval Tindell 2d door east of vacant Meyers Milk depot.

Harry Broyn Auto repairs. In 2nd block east of the Meyers corner.

West side of square. Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society.

WEST SIDE (Liberty St., north to south) [incl. W. side of Square, N. to S.]

Methodist Church A. L. Hughes, Minister

Lambert Lumber Co. E. A. St. John, manager. Business sharply curtailed all year by shortages of everything.

L.R. Brown Locker Plant Mike’s expansion in 1946 was purchase of a grocery and installation of a locker plant at McLouth.

Keeling Bros. Yet handicapped by shortages, this firm managed to effect a considerable number of new installations. They erected a shop 30x60 feet at rear of their building.

Commercial Hotel On July 1, ownership passed from Fred Dahl to Christena Deppe, from Ozawkie. Redecoration and other changes greatly improved the facilities of the hotel.

FSA Office was moved to second floor of Courthouse.

Courthouse Annex Remodeling of this building for county use was virtually complete except for heating-ventilating equipment and plumbing. County engineer Max Engle moved his office from court house to his suite in the Annex. Welfare office is located in north room of this double front building. On second floor are law offices of Jas. F. Swoyer; office of city clerk Elmer Edmonds; law office of James S. Lester who was elected county attorney in November.

Barber Shop Frank Sharp. Oldest “institution” on the square, except the newspaper and State Bank. Above: Law office of Richard A. Swallow, county attorney; who occupied this new suite in August; shared by Eli Bowen, farm loan association.

Harry Sanford’s Drug Store and Bus depot

West Side Café Chas. Haines, Prop.

Dewey’s Market

Hampton’s Furniture Store

Ann Parker Beauty Shop

Red & White Store Ownership passed in September from Curt. Robertson to Felix Brown of St. Joseph.

ACA Office Moved from 2 floor of State and Bank building to south room of Fernstrom block.

Telephone Office

Dr. R. G. Henry Only dentist in the county, appointments booked for months ahead, throughout the year.

Physician’s Office Dr. McCreight, who had long been trying to retire from professional practice made it virtually official with sale of his drug store, yet looked after the health of a very few old friends.

Public school. Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Historical Society.

Public School T. J. Moore, Supt.

Moderne Beauty Shop Lena Nothdorf proprietor, became Mrs. W.A. Payne proprietor.

Hampton Funeral Home

On U.S. 59 (north to south)

Log Cabin Station operated for a few months by Pop Langley, was closed before year’s end.

Swoyer Service Station Lease passed to Jack Simpson, Ozawkie. Station operated by Chas. Holbrook.

Sharon Garage Operated a few months by Kenneth Phillips and Buster Walker, later by P & H Motor Co.

Hawley Service Station At SE corner of town, leased by C.F. Hawley and son from Canada, closed in late autumn.

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A–C Truck Line The express and freight line between Oskaloosa, Perry and Lawrence, operated for years by Roy Johnston, passed to Messrs. Abshire and Cooper of Lawrence, later to Mr. Verne Cooper alone.

Insurance Friedof Winans, from residence.

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Contractors

Wood Walter Haun, Geo. Sands

Wood and Concrete James Wheeler

Concrete and Plaster Cox Bros.

Paint and Paper Fletcher Bros., Roy McKay, Joe Vendel, (Geo. Davis when here).

Plumbing and Carpentry: Wm. Hickox, from Lawrence.

This article appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 2012 and April 2013, https://www.jchsks.com/publications