Days of Yore
 
as recounted by

Bill Day

 

 

Do you remember – fire truck
The fire truck that burned up when it was caught in a shift of the wind during the fire that destroyed Willits Coal and Lumber Yard.

When cigarettes were two packs for a quarter.  Small 10-cent packages were available of Camels, Chesterfields, and Luckies.

The David Kelchner Award given at the annual football banquet to a player each year.  Dave, a former star lineman at Haddonfield High, lost his life on the beach in World War II, and his father perpetuated the award.

The Hallinger family, who once resided in Greenfield Hall 343 east Kings highway.  A name was required for a new street nearby and “Hallinger” spelled backward was used.  Reginllah avenue thus came into being.  Later the name was changed to Evergreen lane.

The Public Service trackless trolleys with their poles contacting the live overhead wires.  They could get over in the curbs to pick up and discharge passengers as they traveled along on their rubber-tire wheels.

The two wired radio aerials that ran from house to tree in every back yard.  They were a must to ensure good reception.

When two Haddonfield men were police chiefs.  Bill Start was the Haddonfield Police Chief, and his brother, Raymond, was the Camden County Park Chief of Police.

Mr. Wescott’s barber shop on the corner of Main and Tanner streets.  On the wall was a rack holding his customer’s shaving mugs, with the names embossed on each mug.

When you went to the American Store, and told the clerk behind the counter what you needed, and he’d pile your order on the counter, and then add up the amounts on a stray piece of paper or the back of a bag and take your money.  Times sure have changed.

Ice skates that had brackets that clamped onto the soles of your shoes, like roller skates are fastened.  The wealthy had shoe skates.

The man with the bicycle with the side box attached who rode all over town in the summer selling ice pops.  He’s motorized now.

New license tags that were required every January 1.  The agent in town then was Charles Stafford.

Williard’s Drug Store of Mechanic and Main streets, which had the first telephone in town.  The number was “1”.  It was called the “Telephone Drug Store” by everyone and messages were taken over the phone and delivered all over town.


DayHikes.org Homepage
Contact Alan Day
Days of Yore Homepage