People who live on the West side are a special kind of folks who show pride in their neighborhood. As a long time Westsider I see this in homes that are being maintained to show their former splendor and businesses that are revitalizing the historic buildings they operate in.
In my youth, during the 1960’s, I lived much of my life at my grandparents’ home on the corner of Lincoln and Hillcrest. From there I started many adventures that I now fondly recall. At that time, my bicycle was my mode of transportation into the neighborhood. I rode my bicycle to my first job at the café now called College Street Café. That summer, I washed dishes from 6 a.m. to noon at the café, which served locals and a few travelers who followed the soon-to-be decommissioned Route 66.
After work, I often traveled College Street home. On my way, I would often stop at Charles Standard Service to get some air for my tires and to say hi to the guys. Continuing on, I would pass by the homes, motor courts, and other businesses such as Dairy Queen, Grant’s Hardware and Consumers Market. At that time, Dairy Queen was located closer to College, and a laundromat was behind it. I never complained about helping to go to the laundromat, because I knew while there I would get an ice cream cone.
Across the street was Grant’s Hardware, which was owned by my cousin, Elmer Grant. My parents and I would often stop by to share family news and to check the newest items for sale. When I was very young, Consumers was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt, but I attached the name “burnt store” to it, often asking if we were going to the “burnt store” for groceries.
I can’t talk about Route 66 businesses without mentioning Red’s. Red’s Giant Hamburg was one of my favorite Route 66 businesses. Red’s was so popular that a drive-through window was installed to accommodate the many customers. It has been said that this was the first business in the U.S. with a drive-through window.
On Scenic was Hall’s Market, along with a bakery, barber shop and a dime store. The barber shop was frequently busy, but I did not mind the wait because he had a great selection of comic books. The five-and-dime had a great selection of merchandise and numerous model car kits that I liked to look over to see which one I would get next. The bakery had the best donuts. If you bought three donuts, you would get a free container of chocolate milk!
In the evenings, I would often go to Westport Park to watch ball games. I would stay outside the fence in hopes of catching a foul ball or a home run. When I got a ball. I would take it to the concession stand and turn it in for a free snow cone.
During that time, all goods, services and entertainment that a person needed could be found on the west side of town.
Fast forward to the present. The majority of those businesses are gone, but most of the buildings remain and are being repurposed to fulfill the needs and desires of the current times.
Within a three-block stretch of College Street there are three Route 66-era motor courts still standing. There are very few vacant business buildings on the west side. I see a revitalization of businesses investing in all areas of the west side, which leads to pride and hope that these businesses share an outlook of a bright future for the neighborhood.
With the business investments, I can also see investments in residential areas, with home improvement and clean-up projects. This trend can continue if we all support these businesses and individuals who have invested in west-Springfield neighborhoods.
Joe Roberds is president of the Westside Neighborhood Betterment Association.