The Park Place neighborhood used to be one of those self-contained communities.
Five neighborhood groceries operated at one time, plus two drug stores, five gasoline service stations, two barber shops, two flower shops and many other businesses.
A number of businesses still operate, mostly along the East Eighth Street corridor. But most of the earlier stores are gone, reflecting changes over the years.
At Eighth and Walnut was the New Haven Nursing Home. At College Drive was the old Park Place Church of God, replaced by an apartment complex.
The Stanley Fluck insurance business to the east was razed for the former Marathon service station, now Paris Auto and Truck Repair. The one-time Salin’s Drapery, later a rent-to-own business, is currently empty. Next door was the original Bob’s Pro Shop, now a property management business.
A one-time Gulf station at Eighth and Cottage became a package liquor store and is now a Laundromat.
A beauty shop is gone, and a real estate office is now a property management location. To the north was Food Land grocery, later a used furniture store. And across Eighth Street was Ernie Owens Cities Service, later Edwards Citgo and now a dry cleaner. On the north side were a dental office and Gwinn’s Drug Store, which later was an ice cream store and a travel agency.
The Parkway Pastry Shop at Park Avenue later was a sub shop and now houses Murdock Construction. Next door was Keesling Hardware, now a financial services business. On the alley is Surbaugh and Son Realty.
Across Eighth Street, the former Johnny’s ice cream store now houses The Nile Restaurant. The strip has housed an insurance agency, beauty shop and a watch repair business, now McIntyre Jewelry. Buildings that housed among others Jerry’s Junkatique (which later moved a couple blocks away) were removed for parking for Mustin Builders. Mustin had moved into the former Richter Center, a forerunner of the present Hopewell Center on 53rd Street.
At Eighth and Central were Tom Dearing’s East Side Drug Store, a barbershop, Dr. W.C. Kelly’s office, and across the street, Park-N-Shop grocery, Roseberry’s Shoe Repair, Mary’s Beauty Salon and a coin shop. Dearing’s is now a tanning salon, and Park-N-Shop houses a dance studio.
Madison County Federal Credit Union, Swifty and Howard Webb Agency came along later. West of Ruddle Avenue, a beauty shop and a real estate office now are on the south side. To the north, the former Anderson Laundry is now Frank Chiropractic Clinic.
Shell and Standard stations were at Eighth and Milton. A dental office now occupies the Shell station, while the Standard location next to the Athletic Park pool, once an insurance agency and a home care office, is vacant. The former Klus Flower Shop across the street became an art studio.
Several other businesses operated off Eighth Street, though space does not permit elaboration.
Jim Bailey’s reflections on Anderson’s past appear on Sunday. His regular column appears on Wednesday. He can be reached by e-mail at jameshenrybailey@earthlink.net.
Columns
Related Photos
Discussion
Jim Bailey: Businesses come, go in Park Place
- Columns
-
-
Maureen Hayden: Readers weigh in on low voter turnout
A couple of columns ago, I posed a question about why most Indiana polling places on primary election day had so few customers.
-
Jim Bailey: Jim Carter made football a respectable sport at AHS
When I first came to Anderson in 1951, Jim Carter had been named head football coach at Anderson High School. At that time, football at AHS was little more than an activity to get out of the way to make room for basketball season. The Indians were known to play two games in the same week to shorten the season.
-
Scott Underwood: Help us with book about local athletes
Over the years, Madison County has been blessed with more than its share of extraordinary athletes. Through their feats on the field of play, they’ve brought us excitement and inspiration.
-
Howard Hewitt: 'Pink' wines growing in popularity
Those silly looking pink wines in your favorite wine shop or liquor store are gaining respect through robust sales.
-
Nancy Vaughan: Tomorrow starts today
The United Way of Madison County's 2011 annual report seeks to recognize the individuals and organizations that contribute their resources to support investments and activities to increase the education, income and health of all who call Madison County home.
-
'Big Joe' Clark: Problem isn’t the cost of education, but its quality
We must spend less time focusing on how to bring the price of an education down and more time figuring out how to bring up the quality of that education.
-
Maleah Stringer: Not everyone is an animal lover
Not everyone is an animal lover and they should not have to be around animals if they do not want to be. It’s on the same line as the fight between smokers and non-smokers.
-
Verna Davis: Church and state — separation or silence?
It’s time we realize, as Charles J. Chaput says, that “exiling religion from civic debates separates government from morality...That road leads to politics without character.” It’s time we realize that it’s time to speak up. The future of our country depends on our doing just that.
-
Heather Bremer: Can Smith cash in on another Big Willie Weekend?
After yet another four-year break, Will Smith once again ventures into waters of the summertime box office with today’s debut of “Men in Black III.” Luckily for Big Willie, it’s the first weekend in ages that won’t be ruled by “The Avengers” … probably.
-
Susan Miller: Looking for a summer vacation vocation
Summer vacation is often a synonym for summer vocation, particularly for teenagers.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
