Remember When: November 11, 2009

The new Anderson Fire House Museum really brings back some memories.

Especially when I see the new flagpole that replaced one much older originally donated by the Native Daughters of the Golden West in the early 1900s.

Many old-timers such as myself remember the area as the meeting place for many occasions during our childhood. Thanks to the bequest of Gertrude Treat, all donations made in her memory went towards replacing the flag, pole and plaque.

New residents should go by and see the exhibit and note all of the improvements made in the area.

What a wonderful job was done to rehabilitate the old fire engines. It is a thrill to see them on display. It is enjoyable to walk along the sidewalks and enjoy the new landscaping. In my memories, I can still remember seeing the businessmen run from their businesses, aprons flapping, whenever there was a blast from the fire horn. The number of blasts indicated in what part of town the fire was located. Many fires occurred in this area years ago when most of the buildings were made of wood. Once destroyed by fire, the owners would usually start re-construction using bricks made from the local brickyard.

I admire what the city has done to improve the landscaping and parking around the Fire House Museum. When our economy improves, I hope to see upgrades and improvements of the old buildings in the area as has been done on the south end of East Center St. The Teen Center and Health Center are such beautiful buildings, especially since they incorporated old bricks taken from the historical buildings torn down in the area.

The new buildings on South Street and West Center Street add much to the area, which for many years since my youth was just old run-down buildings and houses.

I was sorry to see the loss of the new businesses in the old 49 Club building. I hope to see some of it salvaged as our economy improves. The plan to have open-air programs alongside the 49 Club and what was once known as the Green Frog Grocery Story still sounds like a fun thing for the future.

In time, I imagine some very interesting businesses locating in that area, which has certainly seen its ups and downs over the years. The area between Ferry Street and North Street was once a very lively area also with grocery and mercantile stores, butcher shops, an ice house, a meat locker, Banks Pool Hall and various bars.

Between Ferry and North Street was also a very lively area with hardware, variety and drug stores along with the Post Office and telephone office.

Over the years, a dentist's office and rental rooms were located in the upper story of the old 49 Club. An ice cream parlor, drug story, Barbara Shop and a very nice restaurant and bar occupied the lower level of the old 49 Club building.

It will take some time, but as people become aware of the businesses that are located there, ore improvements will be made. We can be proud that some of the older parts of town are coming back to life.

Many photographs and information on old businesses dating back to the start of Anderson can be found at the Anderson Historical Museum.