Streator and special memories of growing up there   

 

Sherman school and the annual Barn Dance

Meeting friends in Central Park north of the grade school and playing on the swings, slides, teeter-totters

Summer recreation programs held at the grade schools

J.C. Penney and the tubes that carried your money upstairs and returned your change to you via the same tube system

Fourth of July parades where standing as the flag went by was mandatory.

The Fourth of July and Labor Day Carnivals in the City Park  

Trick or treating when you were expected to sing a Halloween song before you could receive a treat.

The Viaduct

Fireworks and circuses held at the Owen’s Diamond

Christmas decorations that spanned Main Street for several blocks

The sounds of the Santa Fe Trains rolling through town

City buses

Riding bikes around with friends.  If a car would honk at us to get out of the way, one of us would usually shout, “Battery is up, how about payments.”

The Broadway Sweet Shop at Broadway and Otter Creek, and “Uncle Ralph”

Detasseling corn and when paid at the end of the season being allowed by our parents to take the train with friends to shop in the Loop in Chicago

Katchewan Lake

Being in the first graduating class from Oakland or Northlawn Schools

The Harvest and Federal Bakeries

George’s Candy shop

Ice skating at Marilla Park

Roller skating at the Roller Rink

Watching movies at the Drive-In

The Hi-Lo Gas Station where an attendant pumped the gas into your car, cleaned your windshield, and checked your oil all for one low price. 

Dances at the Hub at the YMCA

Sock Hops after the games

Homecoming bonfire and Snake Dance

Bruno’s Pizza and the great pinball machines on the back wall

Dutch’s Tap and their fantastic beef sandwiches

Arties

Wonderful tenderloins at Nagel’s Silverfross

Hill Bros. where we enjoyed the booths in the back with a soft drink and a bag of Q-Man Potato Chips

Dancing to live bands at Norris Hall on Friday and Saturday nights

Van Loon’s Sporting Goods and the bicycle that hung outside

The annual PNA Picnic

Miller’s Cigar Store

The huge clock in front of Kerr’s Jewelry Store

The Grove and Indian Acres

 

If you have any memories you would like to add, just send them to me; and I will include them on the list!

 

Sharon