Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County---November 8-14

This week’s edition of the Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County Blog looks at transportation, lodging, and entertainment in the early 20th Century Anniston. 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: Meet Local Historian and author Kimberly O’Dell during the Jacksonville Arts Council’s 2017 Christmas Village at the Jacksonville Community Center on Saturday, November 18th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Copies of Calhoun County, Anniston, and Anniston Revisited will be available for purchase at the event (cash or check only).

November 8, 1902: Anniston, AL. On this date, it was announced that a new hotel would be constructed starting possibly the next week in the 1200 Block of Noble. The hotel was designed to have 130-foot frontage on Noble Street and 120-foot frontage on 12th Street for the ladies’ entrance. The hotel specifications included a telephone, freight elevator, and passenger elevator. This hotel construction described was for the Alabama Hotel that was eventually destroyed by fire in 1944.

November 9, 1950: Calhoun County, AL. Gateway Super Market announced their grand opening. The store, near Gateway BBQ on the Jacksonville Highway, catered to evening shoppers by operating from 3 PM to Midnight seven days a week. The store offered catfish for 54 cents a pound, snapper for 49 cents a pound, and oysters for 81 cents a pint. The businesses in this area were for the benefit of the soldiers at Fort McClellan.

November 10, 1947: Anniston, AL. The Grand Opening for the Radio Building on the corner of Noble and 14th Street (1330 Noble Street) was held on this date. The building was billed as the newest and most modern office building in the city. The Radio Building had 30,000 square foot of office space, was fireproof, and had surrounding parking. The Junior and Senior Chamber of Commerce and WHMA Radio Station occupied the building. The radio antennas were located on the roof.

November 11, 1902: Anniston, AL: The Monk Brother’s Shows arrived for a five-day engagement in Anniston. The traveling show set up their tents at the corner of 11th Street and Moore Avenue near the Calhoun County Courthouse. These traveling attractions were popular entertainment venues in the early 20th Century and made yearly stops in Calhoun County.

November 12, 1926: Anniston, AL. Shyer’s, a watch and jewelry store, announced their grand opening. The store was located next to Saks Clothing Company in the 1100 Block of Noble Street. Shyer’s offered credit to all to purchase the fine goods the store stocked. As part of the grand opening celebration, a free 25-piece dish set was given as a prize.

November 13, 1929: Anniston, AL. Sutherland and Company, at 1214 Noble Street, had taken over the Anniston Trading Company business. The store invited the public to visit the Holiday Toyland display. The store’s Pre-Christmas Sale advertised toys for ½ to 1/3 their regular price.

November 14, 1919: Anniston, AL. The Alabama Power Company’s division Manager J. M. Barry was featured prominently in a series of ads to encourage people to ride the trolleys rather than walk to work. The trolley system ended in Anniston in 1932.