Downtown Lockport. Looking northwest down on Main at
Locust. Late 1930's.
That's the Bewley Building in the upper right where "Frames By Ames" is
today.
Everything else was torn down by "Urban Renewal." If you have
photos of this
great era you can share for publication, please contact the Editor.
Looking slightly north of west into downtown Lockport, the Bewley Building and the Farmer's & Mechanics Bank Building at the intersection of Main and Locust (on the south) Market (on the north) are recognized as the heart of our city business district. They survive today, the Bewley Building prospers but the bank building stands vacant. The steeple of St. Patrick's Church is the landmark on upper right (northwest) and St. Mary's is seen on the upper left. There is no city Municipal Building on the north side of the Big Bridge. Instead, that's the old Lox Plaza Hotel and, to its right (east) the old City Fire Headquarters. The "South Block" (along with most other blocks) were filled with buildings that will filled with business and people. There was no "Crime District" on any border of this thriving downtown.
The Williams Brothers Department Store prior to "Urban Renewal" took up a large segment of what is now referred to as "The South Block." It's that wide open space on the south side of Main Street downtown where nothing stands except grass. It's been that way since Williams Brothers and other Lockport downtown stores were torn down to make way for new "development."
The Williams
Brothers "label" was the sign of quality in Lockport women's clothing.
On the left is a 1999 picture of that prestigious label as it was sewn on to
a fox fur stole.
Williams Brothers did more than just sell and distribute top quality merchandise. They provided "special services."
In this case, a customer brought in two fox fur skins purchased, untanned, from a trapper at Olcott for 50-cents each and wanted the fox transformed to a fur stole. Williams Brothers could arrange to have it done! After a few weeks the customer was called and advised that her new fur piece was ready.
The price, complete with the label was only $8 in 1954! The fur piece, seen below, still survives (well) today.
The Progressive Shoe Store Parrot
I remember growing up in Lockport as a kid and downtown before Urban
Renewal. My Grandfather owned the Progressive Shoe Store right next to the US&J. He
used to have a parrot named Polly and everyone used to go in there to hear her talk. He
had that shoe store over 40 years until they (UR) bought him out.
I remember going to The Royal for Cherry Cokes. The original Pontillo's was right next to
the Post Office. And the Palace theater was only 25 cent in the fifties. I also remember
going to The Guest House Restraunt on Locust St. The Mellas family owned that.
Ice skating at Willow Park---we never felt the cold then. And most of all
I remember "Pepsi" Mc Laughin coming to school to talk to us about crime
prevention.
I'd love to hear from anyone from the LSHS class of 72
David Schotz,
Novato,Ca.
2/9/2001
anaconda@cmc.net
Remembering The Cottage Diner
Back when I was a little guy, a long long time ago. My mom and dad both
had part time jobs. My mom worked at the the Cottage Street diner - it was actually like a
small railroad car. It was across from the current Masonic building on cottage street. Lou
Laport owned it. "Laports diner." My dad worked at Hum's liquor store. It was on
Pine street approximately across the current Laport's diner on Pine Street. it was located
next to a small barber shop, "Joe's."
I still live here and it is amazing the way Lockport used to be if you sit back and
remember it. This is a great site - Thanks for sharing it with everyone.
Bob Ayers
Lockport
12-3-00
Just As If It Were Yesterday...
These are some of the memories I have during the 50s...when I lived on
Oliver Street...
Maple Leaf Restaurant: Pot washer and
learning to cook...(lied about my age...started there @14)...worked as pot & dish
washer Fri, Sat & Sunday afternoons... hated the change of time, worked extra hour and
didn't get paid for it... I was hired by the owner, Pete... One of the memories I have is
the day I was asked to slice a roast of beef...I sliced the whole thing the wrong
direction...it was tough and stringy...Pete had to roast another one, and had to put the
meat I sliced through a grinder and used it in a meat dish of some kind...But not as hot
roast beef sandwiches...he made me eat some of the wrongly sliced meat in special
sandwiches he made...I learned how to cut meat while working for him... I think I earned
$.35 (thirty five cents) per hour...which was the minimum wage for restaurants at the
time...(1954)
Palace Theater. Ushered there for maybe about a year... vivid
recollection: one time there was a French choir that made a visit, the theater was packed
to a standing room only crowd...at break time, the performers came off the stage and went
to the snack bar, soda machine, and apparently the only restrooms in the place... During
this break the performers were "rattling away" in French...well, like a kid
(which I was), I said "polly vue fronsay"...the little performers gathered
around and started rattling away at me... then one of them said "is that the only
French you know...polly vue fronsay"...I said, "wee" ...he turned to the
others and rattled something, and they all laughed and walked off... There are other
things I recall, like Mr. Battles, was the manager over the ushers...I think there was an
Alan Ashley, who was head usher... Some of the movies I ushered ...Oklahoma... the Pajama
Game... South pacific... and that movie that Gene Kelly sang and danced in the rain... (I
remember them because of the songs... I hated musicals at the time...)
Rialto Theater... the "cheap" Saturday Matinee it was just a
dime... weekly adventures of Roy Rogers...and a space story...and a movie, with a
cartoon... popcorn was 5 cents...At one of the weekly drawings I won a Roy Rogers cap
pistol and holster set...
Jay's Camera Shop...Jays camera shop was a collection of the latest
photographic technology...an education in itself...just looking at the cameras and trying
to figure out how they worked... I guess I did my share of bugging "him" about
used cameras...at the time I had narrowed my shopping to the purchase of a "Kodak
Pony 135", but I could not afford a new
one...and was looking for a used one...and if I recall properly, there was another camera
shop on Locust St next to a dry cleaners...I discovered a camera there and I think that is
where I finally purchased one...
Bowes Jewlery Store...I think his first name was George...anyway I bought
a used Mido multi-fort watch from him, and I think I paid $25.00 for it...I recall paying
for it weekly, and I got most of the money from cutting lawns and shoveling snow...
Harry Nemec, LSHS 1958
Recalls The Carl Company & A. J. Laux
When I was about seven years old my grandmother occasionally would would buy at the Laux store on Pine Street a clown face filled with little surprises. They were wrapped up in a continual roll of paper and decorated in a clown face. I thought that was the greatest at that time. We lived in the country and didn't have much so this was a great surprise. Another was The Carl Company on Main Street where we they had a large supply of 4-cent toys. (Even) at that time it was a bargain!
Mike M
9/26/99
Bruce Voelkle Details History Of Francis Optical
In 1942, Francis Optical Service opened at 13 Main Street. It was owned by Richard
Francis and his brother Arthur who also owned and operated Francis Optical in Niagara
Falls. Another office was located in North Tonawanda. Otto Stabb was an Optician who
worked with Richard Francis.
In the 1960's Dr. Eugene Stresak did eye examinations. In 1965 Urban Renewal tore down the building on Main Street, and the business was relocated to 14 Market Street, in the Bewley Building. Marie Balling worked as the secretary/bookkeeper for many years. I, Bruce Voelkle, joined Mr. Francis as an Optician in 1970. I purchased the business in 1975. The name was changed to Francis For Eyeglasses Inc.
Dr. William Butka, performed eye examinations. Opticians that worked with me over the years were Stacey Meier (now an Optometrist in Phoenix AZ), Dennis Everett, John Lyon, and my good friend Thomas Cammarata. Tom fit contact lenses in the office of Dr. Thomas Guttuso. We worked together for many years, until his untimely death due to cancer.
In the 1990's we also had the Dutch Treat gift shop located in our office. Gift items and collectibles from Holland were available and the business was owned and operated by my wife Henrietta (Rickie) Moje. She also was secretary/bookkeeper from 1984. We were married in 1988. Our ceremony was performed on our motorcycles on the sidewalk in front of the store by Mayor Raymond Betsch. Others that were on staff were Gloria Gould and Marguerite (Peggy) Durkee.
In April 1996, the business was closed. After treatments for cancer
in 1993, I was unable to operate the business any longer.
The patient records were taken over by Dr. David Mazur at Davison Road Optical. The
display cases and antique optical instruments were donated to the Niagara County
Historical Society. I enjoyed my many years working in downtown Lockport and saw many
changes. I was very involved in the Downtown Lockport Business Association, The
Eastern Niagara Chamber of Commerce, and The American Red Cross. I miss seeing all of my
friends and customers that I met over the years. I continue to take treatments for
cancer, and am enjoying my retirement. Mr. Francis is 87 years old, still playing tennis,
and is living with his wife Rosemary in Winter Haven, FL. I appreciate the fine job that
you are doing on the Lockport web site
and visit daily. I hope that Downtown will continue to grow. It is a great location
for doing business and it's history will always be a source of pride for the community.
Yours in friendship,
Bruce R. Voelkle
Ramey, PA
4/13/99
Memories Of Working At Jay's Camera Shop
From the time I was 16 years old and attending LSHS, I worked part-time at Jays Camera Shop. 1956 to 1959. What memories I have of Charlie Barone, Joe Haley, and the fun we had.
It was a major hang-out for all sorts of people. Charlie used to get the Union-Sun paper in the afternoon and then he would retire to the water closet in the basement, light a cigar and be gone for at least one hour or more. I hung out so much at the store, that one day Charlie put a broom in my hands and said I might as well make myself useful.
I can remember when the first Polaroids were introduced and the first wave of Japanese cameras. Yashica, Aries, Olympus...everyone would wait in line to handle them. Charlie was a great influence on me.
He was a kind and loving man and a good example for me. My first boss. In 1969 I opened my own camera shop in Kalamazoo Michigan and operated it for many years. To this very day I have never forgotten Charlie or my days at Jays Camera Shop. Today I have two partners and together we own 29 retail optical stores in the state of Michigan. On a wall in my office I have several pictures of my past. One includes an enlargement of a picture of the exterior of Jays Camera Shop taken in 1956. I look at it every day.
Dennis Toussaint -- Kalamazoo, Michigan LSHS Class of 1959.
3/27/99
Recalls Businesses Out of Downtown Area
Lockport Rambler on Transit Road later became a Chrysler Dealer. Lane
Drugs in the Plaza on Transit Road. Reed's Hot Dogs on the way out to
the Fairgrounds and wasn't there this great Pizza place in Lockport somewhere near the Old
Harrison Plant? I can't quite remember the name.
Its a fun list, Thanks
Jim Pittler
Fredericksburg, VA
His Heart Aches Over What "Urban Renewal" Did To Lockport
Thanks for a great trip down nostalgia lane --I was born in good ole
Lockport in 1928 --lived most of my "younger" days there before we relocated to,
first Lewiston, NY and then across the state to Saratoga Springs, NY.
During the school days, names like the Grace Church dances, the YMCA, the YWCA, Chet's,
Palace Theater, Olcott Beach, etc. dominated our thoughts. When I was real young, my
parents would take the car, park on Main Street, and spend an evening being entertained
watching the crowds pass by them.
Don't get back very often, but when I do, it makes my heart ache to see how little there
is left. Oh, why did we listen to those Urban Renewal fanatics? Come to Saratoga where
they fight tooth and nail to keep the heritage alive and well.
Thanks again--it is great to have found you,
Gene Allison, Saratoga Springs, NY
Assorted Recollections: Lockport Business In Bygone Days
Remember Cherry Coke at the Jays Stores in the 50s ? All their stores
had soda fountains.
I also rember Ziehl Electronics House of TVs on Ontario St. Where their slogan was:
"We sell the best and fix the rest.", (Because they were a bit out of downtown)
they used to have ad in the paper with map of how to get to their Store.
-------------
I remember Gascoyne's Dairy on Utica Street and Napoleone's Restaurant on West Avenue (where Josie's Bar is today).
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I remember Newberry's 5 and 10 and Woolworths.
They both had fine soda fountains where we could buy pineapple sodas
with real pineapple at the bottom. I believe they were located on Main
Street between Locust and Pine Streets.
------------
What about the ice cream places on Main Street.? The Royal was where
the bad kids
went, the good kids went to Castles. Then there was The Crystal. I remember
when they auctioned off the interior.
-------------
The Royal was NOT for the bad kids...my Mom and Dad and their friends
went
there, and trust me..they were the good kids!
Recalling Williams' Brothers Dept. Store
It was 1961 ish, and I was 15.
My Grandmother Mathyl Williams, worked at Williams Brothers in the hoseiry department. (it was near the front door).
I would go downtown after school to do some Christmas Shopping with friends, look at every item in every store, and stop in and visit with Granny for a while. My grandmother would visit, call her friends over to see us, I never knew why. I became a grandmother for the first time last month, now I know why.
I'd take the elevator up to other floors, try on clothes, look at formal wear. A Cocktail Dress was the most wonderful thing I could imagine. Audrey Hepburn like. (which I wanted to look like..... never did!)
Every store - it seemed - had Evening in Paris, in beautiful blue gift boxes. I always loves those boxes, and those bottles, but never had any. They were awesome to me.
We'd walk out of one store, through the hussle and bussle of Main Street, Santa there ringing his bell for The Salvation Army, decorations everywhere. It was cold, dark, but such a feeling.
I loved downtown. My friends and I would go down there, and just watch the guys that stood under the rotating clock at the back. The same ones were always there, it seemed like. We'd go in and out of every store. Try on clothes, put them on layaway for a dollar. Buy a 45rpm record of the top ten. Then, have a Cherry Coke at Castles.
Near 6:00pm, my mother would get out of work. Her name was Bette Budde. She worked at The Upson Company. She would then drive to the front of Williams Brothers, and pick up Granny and me. We'd be standing by the door on the slippery marble floor. I loved that marble.
How could a whole downtown dissapear? I left Lockport, and when I do go back for reunions, etc. I just can't believe that it is the same place! If only someone would have known how sad it would be to have those memories of a forgotten place!
Jane (Budde - Martin) Kassel
July 1998
Throwing Popcorn At The Palace
I would like to add my thoughts and memories of Lockport and one in particuliar was having my dad take me to watch the soap box derby races that ran down Market Street hill.
I remember going to the bazaars that were held by the nuns at St. Patrick's convent and going roller skating at the Hamilton House just down the street. It used to be fun to go to the downtown Palace Theater and go to my designated seating area (all students from North Park school sat on one side and Emmet Belknap students sat on the other). Everyone would throw popcorn and hope not to get caught. It was neat if you could go up in the balcony.
I remember the excitement when John F. Kennedy was campaigning down on the big bridge in front of Kenzie's Bowling alley. I miss those days and regret that downtown has never been the same since. Downtown Lockport was a family spot for fun!
Joy Shaver Rey
Box 3104 Marshville, NC 28103
July 1998
She Remembers Taking The Bus Home From Downtown
Special memories for me were enjoying the
Christmas music broadcast down Main
Street and Santa walking up and down visiting children. The best and cheapest
subs at Jupiter's... being able to go to the Carl Co and buy .04 items...buying
.04 candy bars at Singer Drug Store...having my mother force me to go to
Norban's clothing store, and visiting the Lockport Library. (I also recall) going swimming
ocassionally at the YMCA, and going to Y-Teens at the YWCA. I loved being
able to walk downtown as a child and then getting on the bus to go home. My
aunt owned and operated Lock City Grill on Market Street where we could walk
to after school and get some free pop to drink and chips to eat. I always
stopped at Main Street Barber Shop (believe that's the name located next to
Sullivan's Bar) to see all the pictures of the boys who went into the
military. I have many fond memories of downtown Lkpt and I wish it could be
possible today to enjoy it once more. Thank you.
Judy Shaver Jaquess
3113 Tarlton Mill Rd. Marshville, NC 28103
E-Mail: Jp4636@aol.com
Paper Boy Remembers His "Route"
I am a 1969 graduate of L.S.H.S. I have lived
here on Guam for the past 21 years.
I teach eighth grade Earth Science at Dededo Middle School.
There was a Mongomery Wards store next to the U
S and J building. Also Al's
Barbershop was across the street from Monkey Wards. That's where I got my
hair cut for years. Also part of that big hole on Main Street there was a
Grants Dept store. I used to have a paper route that started at the U S and J
and covered to Saint Marys and up to Spaulding Street. There was a piano
place next to a laundry right at the big bridge(Buffalo Street). Also how
about Chets Dog house. Right next to the Palace there was Slims Diner
the home of the "slim burger" before there was a big mac. The owner was Slim
Zulia. There was a candy store and soda fountain place at the corner of
cottage and buffalo streets that I used to stop at in my travels. I
remember the candy.
I would like to hear from any of my old classmates. My Email is beep@iftech.net
Bruce Patterson
(Paper Route 23)
July 7, 1998