Readers wants to know the history of the old doors in St. Johns
I am interested in discovering the extensive history of the doors and windows that are found in nearly every commercial store on Clinton Ave.
For instance the J.C. Penny’s store had a woman’s underwear department in the basement that was entered from the street by going down a set of stairs from the sidewalk.
Hungry Howies had a restaurant also in the basement and had two entries.
Store after store has doors and windows that obviously were used as an entry into the building from the basement. No they are not coal shoots as they are all in the alley. These entryways, especially as examplified by the Penny’s which were on either side of the main street level entry, are from front sidewalk, even, I suspect, from the days of the wooden walkways and dirt streets. They had to be dirt because all the vehicles were truly horse powered and very busy.
Does anyone have pictures, drawings, stories or any information that would lead to further disclosure? I am interested in photographing these along with other factors such as elevators for old carriages that are found in a couple of buildings where the carriages were repaired.
How about promotional posters for up coming shows in the two opera house that were in town? The one is a pretty good size, 100 plus attendees. What kind of shows were being put on and where did the performers come from? I suspect a lot of local talent was used.
Yes, there are few pictures around and about; some showing the horse drawn bus parked by the depot in steam engine days, the wooden sidewalks even some pictures before the brink fronts were put up. There are obvious signs of an old hotel on the corner of Clinton and Railroad. I am interested in getting current as well as really old pictures of what St. Johns was like back in the late 1870 and 1900.
There is no indication in Clinton Country papers as of 1901 of any such structures. It would be great find these pictures that have been hidden away for decades and brought to light, dug out from the attics and closets and basements.
The kids of today and tomorrow should be made aware of the really colorful past of St. Johns. Oh ya, and we adults of today might enjoy having our eyes opened and imaginations set afire.
The second link is to the CNR web page. This is will update you on current things going on with the depot and cars.
http://clintonnorthernrailway.org/?q
Remember, If you can’t be good, at least be photogenic.
Jenny McCampbell
St. Johns