Barb thanks for posting the picture of Franklin Elementary School. As Jim Crusius noted this is where many in our neighborhood went to grade school. Some others I believe were Bobby Sphan, Jim Shirk, Rod Brent and I think Larry and Terry Shoup as well as many more than my memory can bring up. Most of us walked to school together and often went into the little store across the street before or after school. Franklin also had the "scary fire escapes" previously discussed. I for one enjoyed when we had the monthly drills as it was a break from school routine and was like a thrill ride. Hey Jim it was good to see you on here. It would be nice to see more of us respond to the GREAT POSTS BARB HAS DONE.
Thank you Jim Crusius for putting me out of my misery. For some reason that had become a "mission" for me and you answered all my questions. Also Phil Hershey, thanks for your thoughts on the subject, I didn't realize so many "notable and prestigious" classmates went there, how interesting.
We moved to Bloomington on Elder Street when I was 7 and I attended Franklin from second grade. I recall that small grocery store right across the street and they had a great selection of yo yos which were quite popular. And the thing that I recall is the store had a $1 yo yo with rhinestones but I do not recall anyone ever buying that one. We all admired it but no one wanted to spend that much. I also marvel now that we had the freedom to walk to school and even walk home for lunch and back. I was even a safety patrol in 5th and 6th grades as we would help the younger kids cross Clinton. Walking to and from school, cutting through Stone Place and knowing the local dogs was quite an adventure. And I cannot help but think sometimes as I see long lines of cars at the schools nowadays what adventures those kids are missing. We had so much freedom to roam freely in a much different world. I feel lucky to have grown up in a place like Bloomington. Plus I was even luckier because Patty happened to live there too. She was born in Muncie, IN and I was born in Plymouth, IN. I always say that our folks had to move to Bloomington so that we could meet.👍
Barb, Good to see the old picture of Emerson school. I attended kindergarten (afternoon) thru 6th grade in the fiftys and the school was old then. The third floor was condemed. It had a basketball court/ stage up there. I have some class pictures somewhere. They got stored when we moved from Illinois to Texas. We had three small stores to buy candy and soda. Masseys, on Clayton St and Starr's and Armstrongs on Bunn St. We also had a city bus route just a half block away to go downtown to movies and ymca.
I was thinking about what Corky said about the kids of today with their mode of transportation to school. When you stop and think about it, I only lived about four blocks from Irving but the kids who came from Lincoln and Raymond had a lengthy walk. I know Sunnyside was in the Irving area and that was a long walk every day, also the ones who lived on South East Street had quite a hike. I think the Winters were more brutal back then and this was in the day where most families had one car which Dad took so you had no choice but to walk. No wonder we're such a tough bunch!
Reading all of these comments has really taken me back many years. I remember going to Emerson through 6th grade. I was spoiled because I lived next door to the school. Seventh grade was no different. I still walked to school only this time it was at least a mile.
Dave went to Jefferson Elementary School. It is located between East Monroe & East Market and Prairie & Gridley Streets (behind Second Press Church that was formerly the old Post Office). I do believe it is used today for District 87 offices.
I worked at Casey's Market selling trees. I worked after school all through high school for 75 cents an hour. I also made and delivered fruit baskets, worked in the tree lot, and did just about everything. Lutz was our rival. I recall Mrs. Casey saying " if you need somrthing to do clean the shelves, we don't want to be like Lutz.
Do you recall Chester Wonderland as Santa in the hut on the courthouse square?
I remember going to Lutzs with Diane Rehker to get some Pepsi one night, first of all walking down South Center Street at eight o'clock at night and secondly two young girls out doing it, something you wouldn't dream of doing today but getting back to my story, we got the pop and potato Chips and as we paid for it a huge bug crawled out of his shirt and all he did was swat at it. If it had been me you'd would have heard me all over the Southwest end of Bloomington, didn't faze him one bit. And I do remember Chester Wonderlin playing Santa and he was very convincing. That's the Santa Village I remember, the one on the corner and I think I have a picture around showing it.
All my pictures posted are of Lincoln School. Art work on the front, Second Floor Hallway looking north, The stage curtains look the ones when we were there, bleachers, the stearway I thought of sliding down again.
Anyone remember the Penny candy store at the side door of this building on Wood and Lee
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I came across these pics, I took them in 2005 but little has changed
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