Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County---June 7-13
We go back to the 1950s in the June 7th-13th edition of Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County blog. Remember to click on the links in the blog to view many of the photos seen in Images of America series books: Anniston Revisited, Anniston, or Calhoun County.
Upcoming Events: For the June Makers Market, the Anniston Revisited Book Signing will be at Catalyst. Catalyst is located at 1224 Noble Street in Historic Downtown Anniston.
June 7, 1959: Piedmont AL. The conceptual drawings for the new First National Bank of Piedmont building were released. The bank was located on the corner of Ladiga Street and Center Avenue. The original building, constructed in 1904, was demolished to make way for the modern structure. The construction for the new building was planned for 90 days.
June 8, 1950: Anniston, AL. The Anniston Electric Company, at 25 East 10th Street, announced their Warehouse Sale. The company sold all types of electronics and appliances as well as being the local Westinghouse dealer. In the 1950s, televisions, dishwashers, refrigerators, and radios were top sellers.
June 9, 1959: Anniston, AL: The Commercial National Bank’s motto for 1959 was “Saving for a purpose”. The bank, founded in June 1920, was located at 1134 Noble Street but moved to the Liles-Wilson Building after a 1945 fire destroyed the original location.
June 10, 1956: Anniston, AL: Gayle’s, a women’s department store, offered summer dress on sale for $19.95. The department store was founded by Sam Routman in 1940. Gayle’s was located at 1128 Noble Street until 1974 when Routman moved the store to 1116 Noble to be closer to Berman’s, a store he purchased in 1961.
June 11, 1958: Anniston, AL: Wakefield’s Department Store advertised some summer staples for men. The store offered the Vantage Airweaves Van Heusen men’s shirts as well as men’s walking shorts for $2.50. The store, founded by Martin Wakefield, was located at 1200 Noble Street, on the site of the old Alabama Hotel, until the 1970s when it relocated to Quintard Avenue.
June 12, 1950: Anniston, AL: Stewart Cleaners warned customers with summer coming their furs and woolens were in danger of damage from the heat and moths. The business provided the service of storing these delicate items for their patrons. In the mid 1930s, Sam Stewart opened Stewart’s Dry Cleaners at 121-123 East 11th Street.
June 13, 1954: Anniston, AL: Couch’s Jewelers advertised the arrival of William Rogers and Sons Victorian Rose pattern at the Noble Street store. In 1943, the Russell Brothers gift business was sold to Fred Couch, Sr. Mr. Couch operated the Jewelry and gift store in the 1000 Block of Noble Street for many years. After his passing, the family continues to operate the business and moved to the restored Cater Grocery building on East 10th Street in the 1990s.
