Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County---June 21-27
Fort McClellan! West Anniston! Oxford! Go around the county in the June 21-27 edition of Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County. 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. If Dad is a history buff, Images of America books make a great Father’s Day gift. Stop by one of our local vendors to pick up a copy.
Upcoming Events: For the June Makers Market, the Anniston Revisited Book Signing will be at the Catalyst. The Catalyst, sponsored by the Anniston Council on Arts and Humanities, is located at 1224 Noble Street. Books will be available for purchase at the event (cash or check only) from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CT) this upcoming Friday night (June 23rd).
June 21, 1940: Fort McClellan, AL. The Camp Canteen offered soldiers a place for soft drinks, ice cream and other amenities. The advertisement appeared in the Anniston Star at the same time a new group of ROTC trainees from colleges and CMTC trainees from the public arrived for summer camp.
June 22, 1906: West Anniston, AL. Dr. Charles E. Thomas’ Drug Store offered a special treatment for the lungs called “Dr. Ray’s White Pine and Tar Cough Plaster”. The elixir was touted to cure coughs, cold, and the grippe. Located at 124 West 10th Street. Dr. Thomas operated the largest, at the time, African-American owned drugstore in the U.S. He had come to Alabama as the first African-American practicing physician and surgeon. Dr. Thomas was a graduate of Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, NY.
June 23, 1959: Anniston, AL. The first day of the First Annual Home Show at the City Auditorium. The show lasted from the 23rd through the 27th and featured over 40 local businesses. The City Auditorium, built in 1942 as the local USO, was turned over to the city at the end of World War II. The building has served as both a meeting space, a recital hall, and currently as City Hall.
June 24, 1948: Anniston, AL: Crew Hardware Company advertised they stocked Pittsburgh Paints products. Originally located on Gurnee Avenue, the company moved to 912 Noble Street in the late 1940s. The store closed in the 1950s.
June 25, 1947: Anniston, AL: Anniston Lincoln-Mercury Company held an open house at 2001 Noble Street for the public to inspect the new modern facility on the northern end of town. The following night Jimmy Simpson and his 15-piece orchestra would provide entertainment to celebrate the opening of new facility.
June 26, 1957: Oxford, AL: The Oxford Appliance Co., located at 506 Main Street, billed the company as “The only appliance company that gives the customer 36 months to pay”. The store had a large sale from the 26th to the 29th of June featuring home freezers for $399.95, refrigerators for $299, and rinse tubs for $11.95. The store offered a payment plan of 36 cents down and 36 months to pay.
June 27, 1934: Anniston, AL. The Alabama Utilities Service Co. announced that only 3 days remained until the prices on gas ranges increased. This utilities service was the forerunner of Alagasco. The Utilities Service was located at 917 Noble Street under the management of John McElderry. By the 1940s, the Gas Company had moved to the 1200 Block of Noble Street.
