[Bandman]

Paul Wischer's barbershop was in a small white building on Ave. S between Busy Bee Cleaners and the shopping center built by Maurice Shapiro. The Wischers house was behind the shop. He was my barber. His wife worked for many years at George's Imports and Liquors on 43rd and S, which later became The Flying Tiger. The original Garden Shop/Seaside Nursery (the Creaghs and the Curtis's) was in the same building.

In the Busy Bee building on 42nd & S was The Metropole Club, owned by Dorothy Graham, which was a favorite hangout of Police Chief Willie Burns. After she died it became Buddy Kirk's. He had a dance band that played at The Balinese Room one summer. After a stint in Chicago he folded the band and returned to Galveston and opened his club. I'm glad I didn't know Tiny Tim ever played there.

I think the garage on 44th & S was next to Plummer Termite control. C.P. Evans was built in the early 50s and closed several small groceries in the neighborhood. Bulba's on 45th survived. Harry Kirkpatrick was the Evans manager for many years, and a very good fisherman.

Bandman

 

[Utah Carl]

You guys remember Pauls Sandwich Shop on Stewart Road? Wondering if it is still there?

That was Paul Ozymy. He began in the 1960's with the ice house on 35th & O (would never sell us beer). Expanded it to University Blvd., the beach, etc.. Nice guy. Still here, I think.

 

[Utah Carl]

Paul Wischer's barbershop was in a small white building on Ave. S between Busy Bee Cleaners and the shopping center built by Maurice Shapiro. The Wischers house was behind the shop. He was my barber. His wife worked for many years at George's Imports and Liquors on 43rd and S, which later became The Flying Tiger. The original Garden Shop/Seaside Nursery (the Creaghs and the Curtis's) was in the same building.

In the Busy Bee building on 42nd & S was The Metropole Club, owned by Dorothy Graham, which was a favorite hangout of Police Chief Willie Burns. After she died it became Buddy Kirk's. He had a dance band that played at The Balinese Room one summer. After a stint in Chicago he folded the band and returned to Galveston and opened his club. I'm glad I didn't know Tiny Tim ever played there.

I think the garage on 44th & S was next to Plummer Termite control. C.P. Evans was built in the early 50s and closed several small groceries in the neighborhood. Bulba's on 45th survived. Harry Kirkpatrick was the Evans manager for many years, and a very good fisherman.

Bandman

The chief of police also hung out at Crow's Nest, an illegal bar. The property became Hill's (grease-pit) and is now where Joe's Crabshack is.

 

[therealbigman]

That was Paul Ozymy. He began in the 1960's with the ice house on 35th & O (would never sell us beer). Expanded it to University Blvd., the beach, etc.. Nice guy. Still here, I think.

Yep, I believe he has a lawn service now.

 

[Utah Carl]

Yep, I believe he has a lawn service now.

Paul Jr. had an excellent lawn service. Then he worked for Zapp Realty. Whereabouts unknown.

 

[Utah Carl]

Paul Wischer's barbershop was in a small white building on Ave. S between Busy Bee Cleaners and the shopping center built by Maurice Shapiro. The Wischers house was behind the shop. He was my barber. His wife worked for many years at George's Imports and Liquors on 43rd and S, which later became The Flying Tiger. The original Garden Shop/Seaside Nursery (the Creaghs and the Curtis's) was in the same building.

In the Busy Bee building on 42nd & S was The Metropole Club, owned by Dorothy Graham, which was a favorite hangout of Police Chief Willie Burns. After she died it became Buddy Kirk's. He had a dance band that played at The Balinese Room one summer. After a stint in Chicago he folded the band and returned to Galveston and opened his club. I'm glad I didn't know Tiny Tim ever played there.

I think the garage on 44th & S was next to Plummer Termite control. C.P. Evans was built in the early 50s and closed several small groceries in the neighborhood. Bulba's on 45th survived. Harry Kirkpatrick was the Evans manager for many years, and a very good fisherman.

Bandman

Mr. Canary (sp) was a C.P. Evans buyer. When Richard Bovio (band leader) suddenly died, his children were sent to Mr. Canary's house on Woodrow before the funeral. His son's name was Barry, I think. Sonny Martini' s kid, not one to venture out of his gated mansion and play with neighborhood kids, drove his little gas-powered car down the street to Canary. It was extremely impressive, but (we didn't know what "sick" was in those days) strange. It made the Bovio kids happy, so there it is.

 

[Utah Carl]

Ave. S

Speaking of Ave. S, I forgot to mention that in that old strip center on the south side, near the late Buddy Kirk's former place, there was a popular illegal bingo parlor in the 1970's. They served free sandwiches.

Over in the 4500 block of S, there used to be a carpet store, Galloway's. There was an apartment upstairs. In the 1960's Mr. Galloway leased it to Ball High School's former head coach, Coach Churchill. Churchill's daughter was named Cammie Sue (a real looker, but her father caught her in a car parked down on S. Road with several members of his team!). His wife, an outstanding teacher, taught history at Lovenberg (Pop Smart was the principal.). Mr. Smart's main punishment was making you walk around the flag pole after school. But the male teachers' punishment was to take you out in the hall and whack the hell out of your rear end with a wooden paddle with holes in it. Just the sound of that echoing up and down the halls brought order and obedience to the school.

The metal teacher had a neat popping system: he said everyone knew that they were going to mess up and be popped. So he let you get your pops in advance, on credit. At the end of the year, if you had a credit balance, you could pop him (what no one knew was that he had a piece of car tire in his pants, covering his butt!).

Anyway, the carpet store became Cagnola's Trophy Shop.
It's still a trophy shop, but I don't know if Cagnola owns it.

 

[yer_corks_under]

It's not Cagnola it is Joe Capadona. The old Take a Taco became The Vinice Italian.
Man, Fords Bar on 20th used to have the best Shrimp PoorBoy. Sonny's Place is a Galveston institution.

 

[Utah Carl]

Picture Shows

What do you remember?

The Martini (Sonny, who supposedly also owned the Booker T. Washington), standing today as a "screw-you" to Galvestonians, the State (Grand Opera House), the Showboat (where you could get an under-the-counter whiskey), the Broadway...

 

[iridered2003]

Speaking of Ave. S, I forgot to mention that in that old strip center on the south side, near the late Buddy Kirk's former place, there was a popular illegal bingo parlor in the 1970's. They served free sandwiches.

Over in the 4500 block of S, there used to be a carpet store, Galloway's. There was an apartment upstairs. In the 1960's Mr. Galloway leased it to Ball High School's former head coach, Coach Churchill. Churchill's daughter was named Cammie Sue (a real looker, but her father caught her in a car parked down on S. Road with several members of his team!). His wife, an outstanding teacher, taught history at Lovenberg (Pop Smart was the principal.). Mr. Smart's main punishment was making you walk around the flag pole after school. But the male teachers' punishment was to take you out in the hall and whack the hell out of your rear end with a wooden paddle with holes in it. Just the sound of that echoing up and down the halls brought order and obedience to the school.

The metal teacher had a neat popping system: he said everyone knew that they were going to mess up and be popped. So he let you get your pops in advance, on credit. At the end of the year, if you had a credit balance, you could pop him (what no one knew was that he had a piece of car tire in his pants, covering his butt!).

Anyway, the carpet store became Cagnola's Trophy Shop.
It's still a trophy shop, but I don't know if Cagnola owns it.

there also use to be a drug store across the street from BK, that would be 42nd and ave S. cant remember the name, but use to eat lunch there alot while in ball high. the old guys name was joe and there was one more old man that lived upstairs. cant remember his name. flashbacks at there best. thanks to everyone who has replied,IRR

 

[Utah Carl]

there also use to be a drug store across the street from BK, that would be 42nd and ave S. cant remember the name, but use to eat lunch there alot while in ball high. the old guys name was joe and there was one more old man that lived upstairs. cant remember his name. flashbacks at there best. thanks to everyone who has replied,IRR

There was a drug store nearby that location. J.C. Moranto was an English teacher at BHS. He filmed BHS football games. Two and two.

 

[Bandman]

42nd & S- A&M Pharmacy - Joe Nussenblatt, his wife Sophie was a Crockett teacher and Wiess librarian for many years. His brother Sam had an optometry shop next to the Martini Theatre. Great people, all of them.

There was Isle theatre downtown, I think somewhere near the old newspaper building, and the Carver just west of 25th Street. The Starlight was on the end of the Pleasure Pier for a while, and The Oleander Drive-in on Broadway where the Ford dealer is now. Sure hated when that closed.

 

[iridered2003]

42nd & S- A&M Pharmacy - Joe Nussenblatt, his wife Sophie was a Crockett teacher and Wiess librarian for many years. His brother Sam had an optometry shop next to the Martini Theatre. Great people, all of them.

There was Isle theatre downtown, I think somewhere near the old newspaper building, and the Carver just west of 25th Street. The Starlight was on the end of the Pleasure Pier for a while, and The Oleander Drive-in on Broadway where the Ford dealer is now. Sure hated when that closed.

thats it,thanks. very nice guy. if i didnt have any money, i still got to eat. he always took care of everyone.

 

[therealbigman]

There was a drug store nearby that location. J.C. Moranto was an English teacher at BHS. He filmed BHS football games. Two and two.

Speaking of drug stores, I remember Joe's pharmacy on 45th and about P to Q , somewhere in that area, I remember as a kid my Mom talking about the day he was robbed and shot dead, also the 1 where CVS is now, I'm thinking Carubi's was the name, remember getting Ice cream floats their, and next door to it was where I got my first haircut, I remember the barber stroking that leather strap with a straightedge and thinking ***. Don't remember the name though.

 

[rideorfish]

Memories...

I worked at the Burger Chef on 12th & Seawall around the late 60's,and rented motorbikes for a cop knicknamed "Tweety" around 10th & seawall.Raced a 65 mustang,and a bunch of hondas & suzukis at "Cherry Hill".Rode dirt bikes all over Ft.Crocket,and all the beaches.Anyone remember Pistones barber shop on 21st? Or the Chowline,on 23rd[I think]. What about Christy's Beachcomber,and the pool at the Jack Tar? The "Old Galveston Club" was the one behind the Interurban Queen. There was an old honky-tonk on 12th & L called the 12th St.Inn,Great fun there. Sam and Jonnie Wix were a blast for years and a fixture in Offats. Great memories!!!:cheers:

 

[Utah Carl]

42nd & S- A&M Pharmacy - Joe Nussenblatt, his wife Sophie was a Crockett teacher and Wiess librarian for many years. His brother Sam had an optometry shop next to the Martini Theatre. Great people, all of them.

There was Isle theatre downtown, I think somewhere near the old newspaper building, and the Carver just west of 25th Street. The Starlight was on the end of the Pleasure Pier for a while, and The Oleander Drive-in on Broadway where the Ford dealer is now. Sure hated when that closed.

I've been trying to remember the name of the Oleander Drive-in. That was a big deal back in those days. We also went to the Starlight. The nearby seal cage was an odd oddity (my first memory was of one of those seals sitting on the top of my crib...my parents let me sleep the rest of the night with them). When Howard Robbins moved to Galveston ('57) to be the new general manager of the Pleasure Pier, he replaced the Starlight with more-or-less a 3-ring circus, including a high-diving act with divers imported from south of the boarder. They continued to have Easter services out there for a few years. Christie Mitchell never failed to write about the sun rising and the porpoises jumping in the air (his office - Greater Galveston Beach Association - was located at the front of the pier, later replaced by Howard Robbins' wife's hat shop).

Was always in awe of the huge curtain at the Municipal Auditorium. I think it had a pirate theme. Wonder where that curtain is today?

Wonder if Fertitta is still planning on closing the Pleasure Pier t-head. What a community tragedy that would be.

 

[yer_corks_under]

Pistone and Bros, Sam was my godfather. My great grandfather owned the Queen and one other theather on West Market, closed at 11pm then the burlesque shows would start.

 

[Utah Carl]

I worked at the Burger Chef on 12th & Seawall around the late 60's,and rented motorbikes for a cop knicknamed "Tweety" around 10th & seawall.Raced a 65 mustang,and a bunch of hondas & suzukis at "Cherry Hill".Rode dirt bikes all over Ft.Crocket,and all the beaches.Anyone remember Pistones barber shop on 21st? Or the Chowline,on 23rd[I think]. What about Christy's Beachcomber,and the pool at the Jack Tar? The "Old Galveston Club" was the one behind the Interurban Queen. There was an old honky-tonk on 12th & L called the 12th St.Inn,Great fun there. Sam and Jonnie Wix were a blast for years and a fixture in Offats. Great memories!!!:cheers:

The cop named "Tweety" was GPD detective, Richard Sedgwick. I think he had to close when motorcycle licenses were required for the scooters.

Pistones' is long gone, but that was a real man's barber shop, with shoe shining, shaving, and a lot of local talk. There used to be a cigar/magazine, tip-book, etc. stand across the corner in the Marine Building (and another one a block to the south, where the buses arrived and departed...I can still smell the cigars and taste the NuGrape Soda while waiting to catch the "West End", usually with a treasure of a human being, Willie Meadows, as driver).

Christie's had a great lunch buffet (and view). For several summers, he had some guy who allegedly was "buried alive" in the sand, for weeks. You could see him through a little window. And Christie had that pathetic lonely porpoise in a little tank by the restaurant.

Christie died, the tireless manager (can't remember name) sued billionaire, George Mitchell, because when Christie's closed, the manager was given his walking papers and nothing more.

Christie's eventually was sold and became Brodie's, a really neat place with cold beer and a deck. It's gone with the wind (Ike). It's all just a vacant lot.

(The putt-putt golf course across the road was leased to a gentleman who also had the ride concessions on the Pleasure Pier for a few years. He got drunk one night and went over and chopped the heads off all of the putt-putt characters. Route 66 filmed there.)

 

[Utah Carl]

Speaking of drug stores, I remember Joe's pharmacy on 45th and about P to Q , somewhere in that area, I remember as a kid my Mom talking about the day he was robbed and shot dead, also the 1 where CVS is now, I'm thinking Carubi's was the name, remember getting Ice cream floats their, and next door to it was where I got my first haircut, I remember the barber stroking that leather strap with a straightedge and thinking ***. Don't remember the name though.

Another neat place on 45th in that area was the Star Dairy (they actually also had a dairy beyond the city limits). You walk in and there are two soda counters, one on the left and one on the right. Their ice cream, etc. was fresh from their dairy, down-the-island. And between the counters was a juke box with a sound you couldn't get on your little 45-rpm record player. There was this strange new guy, I think his name was something like Elvis Presley, whose new 45's made that juke rock before kids knew how to rock.

My father used to stop by the Star Dairy to get hand-packed lime ice cream (and to prove to us that there is a heaven).

 

[iridered2003]

I've been trying to remember the name of the Oleander Drive-in. That was a big deal back in those days. We also went to the Starlight. The nearby seal cage was an odd oddity (my first memory was of one of those seals sitting on the top of my crib...my parents let me sleep the rest of the night with them). When Howard Robbins moved to Galveston ('57) to be the new general manager of the Pleasure Pier, he replaced the Starlight with more-or-less a 3-ring circus, including a high-diving act with divers imported from south of the boarder. They continued to have Easter services out there for a few years. Christie Mitchell never failed to write about the sun rising and the porpoises jumping in the air (his office - Greater Galveston Beach Association - was located at the front of the pier, later replaced by Howard Robbins' wife's hat shop).

Was always in awe of the huge curtain at the Municipal Auditorium. I think it had a pirate theme. Wonder where that curtain is today?

Wonder if Fertitta is still planning on closing the Pleasure Pier t-head. What a community tragedy that would be.

UC, you have a ton of memorys. do you remember a diver or something happen on the flagship back in about 1970 or there abouts on a 4th of july weekend were someone was hurt or killed? seem to remember someone got killed when something blew up ? not sure as i was a little kid. again, thanks for all the flashbacks,IRR