Thoughts...by the old guy

A walk through Denison business district-1946

by Mearl Luvaas

Businesses come and go, but it seems strange to see the number of changes in Denison over the years. A local party gave me a copy of the June 13, 1946, issue of the Ad-Visor that she had found packed away in her home. How many of these businesses advertised do you remember? Unless you are a senior citizen, you will probably not remember many.

At the Ritz theater the admission on weekday evenings was 10 cents and 45 cents, Sunday matinee 10 and 40 cents and evening 10 and 50 cents. Johnson Furniture advertised wallpaper and paints. Gambles Store advertised regular 23 cent flag sets only 13 cents. George Davis operated the Davis Fix-It Shop. Iowa Master Breeders featured chicks and poultry products. Lester Willey operated a battery service station. Solheim Pharmacy was located in the Laub Block. The Denison Candy Kitchen was a pound box of cream caramels for 39 cents. The IOOF Hall advertised its Bingo parties. The Model Shop, in the Ad-Visor office, announced the selection of model airplane kits and engines for them. The Western Auto Store's feature was "Paint it yourself with NU_ENAMEL, one coat covers, for only $2.95 for average car." Elsie's Cafe advertised for girl curb hops, and Graham Electric for wiring and electrical repairs.

Dethman's Skelly Service at Main and Lincolnway advertised in that issue. Sears (Nelson) had riding saddles and better work shoes. Roscoe's featured jewelry and gifts for dad. Tenhulzen Hatchery advertised Hy-Line Chicks, poultry supplies and feed. Melvin Leahy, special agent for New York Life Insurance, was an advertiser, and Carl Berndt advertised paint, wallpaper, bottle gas and appliances. Hayes Clothing had Botany ties for $1.00 and $1.50.

Servos Tire Company had Goodyear tires, repairing and recapping. Newsstand, newspapers, magazines, tobacco and shoe shining. Lueck Seed Company-Firestone Store, eventually became the Walt Neumann Firestone Store. Martin Lorenzen, hail insurance. Rademacher & Bierwirth Appliances. Jones (Frank) Skelgas & Lindsay water softeners. Pruett Brothers International featured harvesters and binder twine. Gelfand Food Store, phone 12 for free delivery, featured Gooch's all purpose flour, 50 pound print bag for $2.69. Mother would use the print cloth from the bag to make clothing for the family. Gaughan Implement Company featured Coates hydraulic loaders for tractors. Charles Servoss sharpened lawn mowers at Goebel Tire Shop. Ruback's Food Market featured Miracle Whip salad dressing.. 8 ounces for 17 cents. Art's Conoco Service offered a free, made-to-order TOURAID for your summer vacation trip. Rattenborg Produce advertised hay salt.

The Fair Store, a variety store offered regulation size glass mailboxes for $1.69. Crawford County Farm Equipment advertised they would be closed June 20-28 to go fishing. McMahon Flying Service featured flight instructions, charter flights and rides over Denison. <>Goebel Tire Shop advertised U.S. Royal Tires and battery service. Stardom Roller Rink promoted special evenings for private parties, and there were many parties held there. Batcher Funeral Home with ambulance service. Asa Brown real estate broker. Paulson Lumber Company was at the present site of the Senior Center on South Main Street.

Schlumberger Pharmacy featured beauty creams. Paul Solbach's City Market featured a pound of Hershey's cocoa for 19 cents. Ulrich's Electric and Hoe Appliance featured Norge appliances. Huebner and David Furniture advertised Samsonite card tables at $3.50 each and blue or red upholstered chrome chairs at $7.25 each. Chas. Jacobsen Plumbing, plumbers, heating and coal stokers. Denison Seed Company, farm seeds and livestock feeds. Charles Bray sewing machine repairing. Livestock Auction Company, North and Winey, managers. Terry Knott for tow-day dry cleaning service, representing Nivens Cleaners. Thrifty Super Market advertised specials on Pet Milk, tall can 10 cents, and ice cream, quart for 35 cents. They also included in their ad, "Farmers, we want your eggs. Highest prices paid!"

For a little fun, ask your older friends where these businesses were located.

Used with permission of Mearl Luvaas