The Observation Deck

Pat had asked a question in another thread about how Kaufman Park came to be. I would like to take it a step further with a detailed discussion to gain historical perspective on Lakewood. I've got a point of view from spending weekends here throughout my childhood and stories from my parents dating back to the 50's. I'm curious of what others have to say about where the city has been to get a better idea of where we are going. The topic that seems to be attracting so much attention is the balance of parks (ie. baseball diamonds) and development.
Hopefully, this will be a compromise that Jeff can feel comfortable discussing since it looks back rather than forward with the intention of making a well informed decision when the opportunity arises.
So, some things to consider; Kaufman Park under various names dates back to at least the late 50's, Elk Field eventually became Giant Eagle, the field on Warren was sold off for a Pick n Pay and later became the post office, Little Links goes back to 1991. Please those that have lived here throughout the decades add the details or correct me if I'm off.

Shawn Juris wrote:Pat had asked a question in another thread about how Kaufman Park came to be. I would like to take it a step further with a detailed discussion to gain historical perspective on Lakewood. I've got a point of view from spending weekends here throughout my childhood and stories from my parents dating back to the 50's. I'm curious of what others have to say about where the city has been to get a better idea of where we are going. The topic that seems to be attracting so much attention is the balance of parks (ie. baseball diamonds) and development.
Hopefully, this will be a compromise that Jeff can feel comfortable discussing since it looks back rather than forward with the intention of making a well informed decision when the opportunity arises.
So, some things to consider; Kaufman Park under various names dates back to at least the late 50's, Elk Field eventually became Giant Eagle, the field on Warren was sold off for a Pick n Pay and later became the post office, Little Links goes back to 1991. Please those that have lived here throughout the decades add the details or correct me if I'm off.

I slightly remember the field that existed where Giant Eagle is now... also I remember a Fazio's (sp?) being where the post office is now, or is that the same thing as Pick n pay?

A&P where Medic is now.

I think the post office was originally a Murman's.

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Jim O'Bryan wrote:A&P where Medic is now.

I think the post office was originally a Murman's.

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If you REALLY want to go back in time, I believe that was the site of Lakewoods forgotten school, Wilson High School.
I always wondered why every president from Grant to Harding was represented in Lakewood school names, except one. Then I read there was a SECOND high school for a while, across from what is now the BOE building.
Check it out.

Murman's was in R.R. which is now a Post Office. Ratner's was where Edible Arrangements is currently, great soda fountain. Anyone remember Neisner's?

Letak's Pharmacy on Detroit and Riverside Dr. - best chocolate fosfades (sp).

Bearden's on Warren where Marc's Plaza is. Woolworths or Kresges can't remember which, where Rozis is, we used to hang there afternoons when in high school.

I grew up on Arthur Ave. At one point there were side by side grocery stores on Detroit where Drug Mart is now. It was A&P and a Fisher Foods right next door. A few doors down was a Hough Bakery where I worked while in High School. We also referred to the present Kaufmann as Andrews Field.

Mary Breiner

And of course there was the Franklin Ice cream store, on the corner of Mars and Detroit....

And, where Lakewood Center is, was the Shanty...My introduction into what a hardware store is.....still remember going in there on a Saturday with my father after stopping at the original Rozi's where I usually got a pretzel stick from Cory's greatgrandfather.

Jeff

Does anyone remember the little store on Detroit, by where India Garden is now, that had those great big dill pickles in a barrel for a nickel?

I remember sometimes my friends and I would stop by there and buy a pickle and a couple of mary jane's.

On our way home from St.Clements, we would stop at the Woolworths at the corner of Madison and Reveley to buy penny candy. There was a southern woman that worked in there that used to admonish us, "Don't muss the jewelry!" She would end every transaction with, "thank-ya hawney!". So we called her "Hawney".

Mary

Boy, you all are soooo old



Anyhow, I don't remember many of the last places mentioned... but do remember when Beef Corral was where Johnny Malloy's is now. It had great roast beef sandwiches!

jennifer scott wrote:Anyone remember Neisner's?

It was across from Geiger's.

jennifer scott wrote:Murman's was in R.R. which is now a Post Office. Ratner's was where Edible Arrangements is currently, great soda fountain. Anyone remember Neisner's?

Jennifer

Murmans had two stores in Lakewood. It was after the orginal Murmans on Madison where the children's dentist is was taken over for a night club and burned suspiciously that Murman's In RR opened.

That niteclub moved to where the Senior Center is on Northland and Madison Ave. By this time the club was called the Robin Hood and was then owned by John Defrasia that now owns the Phantasy complex, which is going through a possible renovation I hear.

Neisners was just East of Bailey's.

Bonus Question - What singer was discovered and made famous in the Robin Hood?


FWIW

Jim O'Bryan wrote:
Bonus Question - What singer was discovered and made famous in the Robin Hood?


FWIW

Trent Reznor?

Rick Uldricks wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:
Bonus Question - What singer was discovered and made famous in the Robin Hood?


FWIW

Trent Reznor?

Rick

Close but not really.

Trent and crew(Exotic Birds) used to practise in the basement of the Phantasy Theater when I ran it.


Bigger, much bigger.



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