Hotel Antlers Reopens – March 23, 1986

Forty years ago today, the newly renovated Hotel Antlers in Lorain reopened in a gala affair on Sunday, March 23, 1986. The conversion of the decrepit hotel into apartments, offices and shops was one of the late developer's Jon Veard's many great accomplishments, and his gift to the city of Lorain.

The lead up to the event provided an opportunity for the Journal to revisit the history of the hotel. Here's a great article from March 16, 1986 that provides the comprehensive story of the hotel, from its opening by the Elks, to its ups and downs over the years, to its closing in the 1970s. The article includes the heartwarming story of John and Ruth Howat, who were married there in 1925 and planned to renew their vows as part of the formal reopening of the landmark on March 23rd.

On March 22, 1986 the small article below appeared on the front page of the Journal on the eve of the reopening. It mentions that the Dave Noe Orchestra would be providing music at the event on Sunday. I was a member of the band and remember that day as being happy, exciting and a little emotional. My parents also took a tour of the building that day.

The Journal published an editorial on March 22nd complimenting and congratulating Jon Veard on his accomplishment.

On March 24, the Journal covered and celebrated the reopening of Hotel Antlers with this great article by Darlene Brown with photos of the event by Craig Orosz.

Some editions of the paper printed a shorter version of the article.

Several letters to the editor during the days following the reopening expressed the joy and appreciation felt by the community. Jon Veard also submitted a letter expressing his gratitude that he felt for the public support for the project.

March 26, 1986

April 3, 1986

April 4, 1986

Jim Mahony noted the opening of a radio station in the renovated Hotel Antlers in his column of April 12, 1986.

Finally, the restaurant located in the lower level of the Antlers opened in December 1986.

Dec. 9, 1986

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Here's an ample sample of vintage postcards and photos of Hotel Antlers over the years. I've included postmark and inscribed dates where available. There's also a cool envelope currently on eBay.

1931

1935 Cleveland News photo

1939

1948

1953

(I can't guarantee that the early, undated postcards are in the right chronological order.)

Get Your Kicks on Route 555 – March 20, 1926

Did you know that North Ridge Road was once planned to be known as State Highway 555?

I didn't either, until I saw the article below, which appeared in the Lorain Journal back on March 20, 1926.

As noted in the article, the announcement of the road being taken over by the state was welcomed. The State of Ohio would then be financially responsible for 30 to 50 percent of all improvements made to the highway.

I'm not sure, however, if North Ridge Road between Rocky River and Lorain was ever officially designated as State Highway 555. I've checked several maps in my collection and even the ones from the early 1930s show the road as State Highway 254. 

Yet there is an article in the April 10, 1930 Lorain Journal noting that State Highway 555 extends from Avon to the Cuyahoga County line. And another article from July 26, 1939 mentions a proposed new viaduct on State Highway 555, that would open up a new route between Cleveland and Lorain.

If I ever find a map with Highway 555 on it, I'll post it here.

And I guess we should be glad it wasn't designated Highway 666.

Today State Route 555 is a north-south route in southeastern Ohio. It's official Wiki history doesn't even mention its northern route roots!

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And here's the whole front page of the March 20, 1926 newspaper.

Ostrov's Shoes Buster Brown Ad – March 15, 1956

The well-remembered rendering of Buster Brown and his dog, Tige

Remember shopping for shoes as a kid?

I don't have fond memories of it. Shopping for shoes wasn't interesting to me (it still isn't). But we had to do it. The worst part was that if Mom did take my siblings and me shoe shopping, then she probably was buying them for all of us – meaning a marathon session in the stores. 

I've written before how Lorain used to have a lot of shoe stores – Downtown, in South Lorain (Pic-Way), out at O'Neil-Sheffield Center and later, at Midway Mall. Sometimes Mom had to drag us to several of them on the same night. 

Back then you had your own personal shoe salesman, who fitted you with his measuring tool and then proceeded to bring out as many styles and sizes as you requested. I remember how the man used to crush your toe with his thumb when he was trying to see how much room you had. I also recall how it was somewhat embarrassing to have to march around the store to see if the shoe slipped. 

Isn't it odd now that people buy shoes online without trying them on?

Anyway, one of the weird things I remember about children's shoes back then was that Buster Brown was a major brand, and he always appeared prominently on signs in the stores. I didn't quite understand who he was; it wasn't until much later that I learned that he was a comic strip character from early 1900s. He was somewhat otherworldly, with his hat not unlike that of Donald Duck. And his bulldog – with his shark-like teeth – was a little creepy.

Below is an ad featuring the sailor hat-wearing tyke and his namesake shoes for Ostrov's – a shoe store with outlets in Lorain and Elyria. The ad appeared in the Lorain Journal on March 15, 1956.

The ad mentions that kids could win big prizes in Buster Brown's "Paste-Up Pet Contest" and that a free comic book with all the details was available in the stores. What was that all about?

Fortunately, several copies of the Buster Brown comic book from March 1956  are on eBay right now. 

That's Western star and comedy sidekick Andy Devine on the cover along with the characters from the Andy's Gang TV show (including Froggy the Gremlin – who a few decades later would tease the Ghoul on his late night horror show on Cleveland television).

And here's the spread from the book showing the contest entry.

The idea was that kids would cut out the various pieces (designated as eyes, noses, ears, etc.) and glue them down on the entry blank to create their own 'pet' (or nightmarish freak of nature as the case may be).

Much like Snap, Crackle and Pop being redesigned to appeal to kids, Buster Brown was also rendered in a more modern style in some ad appearances.

An ad detail from a 1957 Christmas magazine ad

And here he is as depicted on two birthday cards. That's Captain Kangaroo himself in the top one.

And here's a vintage commercial. I had forgotten about the Buster Brown logo printed inside the shoe where your heel goes.

Today, Buster Brown shoes supposedly exist as a brand, but are nowhere to be found on the website of the company that owns them. Hope Buster and Tige are still around!

"Greatest Flood of the Century" Paralyzes Pittsburgh – March 18, 1936

With the coming of spring, flooding is often a threat to cities located next to rivers. And ninety years ago today, Pittsburgh and the surrounding area suffered through some of the worst flooding ever.

Above is the front page of the Lorain Journal from March 18, 1936 with the story, along with the continuation on page 13.

"The greatest flood of the century menaced the western Pennsylvania area today with damage already running into millions and 12 known dead, and a possible toll of 40," the lead article noted. "Rampaging waters inundated the flood city of Johnstown and almost covered Pittsburgh's famous "Golden Triangle" business district. Water stood at 18 feet in the "triangle" and damage here was placed at $10,000,000.

"Pittsburgh, Johnstown and dozens of other cities and towns were virtually isolated as most of the highways were covered.

"Between 8,000 and 10,000 persons are reported homeless in Johnstown, Pa., as the result of the flood."

You might remember that Lorain became a 'steel city' when the Johnson Steel Rail Company relocated to Lorain from Johnstown in 1894 a few years after the disastrous Johnstown Flood of 1889. 

An article on the front page above notes, "Grim memories of the Johnstown flood of 1889 in which 2,209 persons lost their lives were recalled by many Lorainites who survived that disaster as the Pennsylvania steel city was hit by another flood disaster today." In the article, Lorainite Charles Bremer shares his eyewitness memories of the 1889 flood.

The front page also reports on deadly flooding in New Hartford, Connecticut; Wheeling, W. Virginia; Cumberland, Maryland; Binghamton, New York; and Marietta, Ohio.

Speaking of Ohio, another report on the same page notes, "Turbulent Ohio river today was watched anxiously by residents of cities in eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia as the rising waters warned of flood crests.

"In Ohio hundreds fled to higher ground from lowlands in the East Liverpool and Steubenville areas. Marietta merchants began moving out stock and anticipated the entire business district would be inundated."

Things would get even worse, including in Ohio, judging by the front pages of the next few days.

St. Patrick's Day – 1956 and 1966

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Continuing my look back at the holiday as reflected in vintage editions of the Lorain Journal, here are some ads and clippings from 1956 and 1966.

The Hoop had a nice half-page ad in the March 16, 1956 newspaper promoting its special menu of Irish Stew and Corned Beef and Cabbage. 

The front page of the March 17, 1956 Journal included this look at the various observances and celebrations around town.

As was the custom back then, the Journal managed to slip in a typical 'pretty girl' photo, but with an Irish twist since it ran on the holiday.

Ten years later, the Journal ran this small ad for Lorain Novelty on March 5, 1966 so that its readers could pick up their St. Patrick's Day decorations and other doodads. It used to be fun walking around in the store on Broadway. It was filled with little party favors, wall decorations that you might see in a classroom, etc. I remember buying old time straw hats in there that a few friends and I wore when we performed as a hillbilly band and competed in an Admiral King "Gong Show."

On March 17, 1966 the paper included this great reminisce by its General Manager, James Lonergan, about his trip to Ireland. It's a nice story that might get you choked up if you ever contemplated visiting Ireland to see where you came from (like me).

Two businesses – Sandy's Hamburgers and Sweeney's Buick & Opel – had special promotions that day.

 

And of course the day would not be complete without at least one party.

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For a wee bit more St. Patrick's Day fun, be sure to visit some of my past blarney-filled posts from this day.

St. Patrick's Day – 1926, 1936 and 1946

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day – another holiday that, like Groundhog Day, adds a little fun to our lives.

I've already shaken up my normal St. Pat routine by cooking up my own corned beef this year for a change. It turned out perfect in my o'crock pot so I know I'm going to have a good sandwich. (I already had some of it with cabbage and it was great.)

I'm also making Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Irish Stew for a potluck luncheon at work. I just hope I don't get pulled over on the way home and fail a sobriety test – or it'll be a ride in the Paddy Wagon for me.

Anyway, it's always interesting seeing how the holiday was celebrated in the past. Some years there's hardly any acknowledgement, other years there's dances galore. 

So here are some Lorain Journal ads and clippings from St. Patrick's Day 1926, 1936 and 1946.

March 16, 1926 - Page 1

March 16, 1926 - Page 1

March 17, 1926

The holiday was observed a little more ten years later.

March 16, 1936

March 17, 1936

March 17, 1936 Editorial

March 17, 1936 Editorial Cartoon

March 17, 1936

March 17, 1936. Gee that's not exactly
an illustration of a leprechaun! 

By 1946, the infectious fun of St. Patrick's Day apparently had resulted in many more dances and parties. All the ads are from Saturday, March 16, 1946 since the holiday fell on Sunday that year.

Next: Sure and there's more St. Patrick's Day fun