Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County---October 11-17
This week we look back at some early 20th Century entertainment venues in the 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: We are happy to announce we will have a booth at the Anniston Museum of Natural History’s 2nd Annual Fall Fest on Saturday, October 14th. For additional event information and pre-order tickets please contact 256-237-6766. The booth will be open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM for Museum patrons not able to come out for the festival.
October 11, 1946: Calhoun County, AL. The Russell Gardens announced they were open for business 5 miles out on the Birmingham Highway. The property offered 12 modern concrete cabins equipped with spring beds and hot/cold showers for rent. In addition, the property contained a dance hall with nightly dances where sandwiches and drinks were served. The business advertised it provided good clean entertainment on the large dance floor.
October 12, 1947: Anniston, AL. Rosalyn’s, a sewing supply store at 1705 Noble Street, advertised a sale on knitting yarn including worsted wool, baby yarn, and sports yarn among other types. The store also carried a full line of knitting accessories as well as sewing supplies such as needles, buttons, and zippers.
October 13, 1909: Anniston, AL. The Nickelodeon Theatre, at 1016 Noble Street, advertised flickerless pictures. The offering for the day was “The Dog Pickpocket” and “The Anti-fat SanUarium (a comic). The nickelodeons, which charged patrons a nickel to view the films, were the earliest form of indoor theaters and were popular until around 1915.
October 14, 1948: Oxford, AL. The Oxford Coal and Grist Mill on Main Street was selling Empire Coal. Empire Coal was billed as the ideal stoker fuel. Coal was a necessary commodity in use after World War II.
October 15, 1903: Anniston, AL. The Lynch-Adams Lumber Company courted contractors and builders by advertising they were the “leaders in price and quality” for building materials. The company, located on the corner of 9th Street and Gurnee Avenue, guaranteed satisfaction.
October 16, 1916: Calhoun County, AL. The Great Sheesley Shows arrived for a six-day engagement. The entertainment venues included 14 attractions from a circus to a merry-go-round. Each night at 10:00 PM there were fireworks. The acts were announced for each day including: wild animals, The Garden of Allah, The Motordrome, Miracle, Tango Girls, 20 in 1 Circus Side show, Days of ’49, New Planation, Princess Olga, Human Submarines, Mechanical City. Free Band concerts took place every afternoon and evening by Prof. Frank Blanco’s Royal Italian Band. This event was sponsored by the Committees for Merchants, Trade, and Gala Week. These type shows frequented small towns in the early 20th Century.
October 17, 1920: Anniston, AL. Joseph Saks announced, due to his failing health, he was retiring from the mercantile business. He had arrived in Anniston in 1887 from Baltimore and a short time later opened the Famous store in the 900 Block of Noble Street. As his business grew, his store continued to move to larger quarters. In 1888, he first moved to the corner of 10th and Noble Streets. The final move was to the 1100 Block of Noble Street. For the closure, the store marked down the remaining stock for a sale that started on October 21st.
