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03/11/22 08:03 AM

#2892

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Ron, I went to the Esquire once in my life to see Calloway Went That Away and I swear to God I think we were the only people in that place. I shudder to think what was running around in there, thank the Lord they didn't turn the lights on. What street was it on, my husband said Madison by Freys, is that right?

03/12/22 07:44 AM

#2893

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

After digging around a little I found a picture of the Esquire Theatre and it was located behind Freys. The sign on the Marquee says Ewing but it later was known as the Esquire. It was torn down in the late 50's and was replaced with none other than a parking lot.

I also found a picture of the old McLean Couny Jail which was located on Madison and Monroe Streets. It certainly was an imposing looking building and I believe the Sheriff and his family lived in it.

03/12/22 10:23 AM

#2894

Ron Williams

Barb:

Yes, that's the old Esquire. It was around the current arena somewhere.

I recall touring the old jail with fellow classmates.-probably when at Bent school. There was an effort to scare us and prevent us from a life of crime. It worked for me. I remember the closet size space where they threw prisoners who got out of line. I also recall some prisoners shouting something like "Hey Bob cover up our escape hole" when they saw us kids.

Thanks for the old pictures.

Ron

03/12/22 08:55 PM

#2895

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Dave Bandeko!!!!

03/12/22 08:57 PM

#2896

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Joe Case!!!!

03/13/22 12:05 PM

#2897

Ward "Corky" Snearly

Barb, Thanks for posting the photo of The Esquire Theatre. The movie featured on the marquee was released in 1941. It is interesting to note that there is no visible curb between the street and sidewalk. I recall going to The Esquire once and that was too see the movie "Them" which was released in 1954. I went with my neighbor, Pete Hostetler, who really liked those science fiction thrillers. This one was about giant ants and it was pretty scary. Best, Corky

03/14/22 08:00 AM

#2898

Allan Mapel

I spent a few Saturday afternoons at the Esquire theater. They had some of the great Sci-fi movies of the 1950's. As I recall theater was pretty old, some lights burned out, seats worn of torn. I was rumored that there were rats in the place, never seen any. I was usually with some of the guys in my block (Felton Place).

Three of the guys had some serious future back grounds. Dennis Ford (NSA), Bill Matens (FBI), and my brother Ron (U.S. Navy). Thanks for posts and comments on the Esquire.

03/14/22 08:59 PM

#2899

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Sheldon Teagle!!!!

03/17/22 06:42 PM

#2900

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

I wonder how many of you waited outside of Walgreens to catch a bus?

This shows the East side of the Square. I remember going to McClellans every Saturday when I was little to spend my 25 cent allowance.

03/18/22 03:02 PM

#2901

Thomas Moore

Thanks for all the pictures from the 50's and 60's. I remember getting a transfer on the bus at Walgreens to go to State Farm park when I was in grade school.

Tom Moore

03/20/22 08:46 PM

#2902

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Judy Cowart King!!!!

03/21/22 06:36 AM

#2903

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

We'd like to welcome Jane Shickle, Dans wife as a guest member on our website.

03/22/22 07:24 AM

#2904

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

The picture below was on Facebook this morning and it says it was from Fell Park in 1953. Does anyone recognize any of the kids that are shown?

03/23/22 07:45 AM

#2905

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Another Facebook post. It said the two kids boxing were Donald Cook and Tommy Travers at the Fell Avenue Park summer playground program. Do you think it was our Tom Travers?

03/23/22 10:05 AM

#2906

Phil Hershey (Hershey)

I lived at 1413 N. Fell Ave and the park was at the end of our block. Most of the neighborhood kids hung out there.Some of the names I remember Rodney Brent, Jim and Rich Cruisis, Bobby Spahn, Jim Shirk, The Cox kids, Steve Whalen Ron and Bob Bess (they lived next to it and often Coach Bess was over there in the summer I think he may have been one of the camp counselors. There were many more Tom and John Travers Jerry Dalyrmple , Mike Fagerburg. During summers there were crafts and games. Most of us boys orgainized sports throughout the year. The alley ran behind the park and the street behind was Clinton Blvd.

03/23/22 03:22 PM

#2907

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)