'B' Street a hopping place in 1950s

Football is one of my sports to watch and home town football games are the best. Homecoming was last week and as I watched the Bison game it reminded me of being in high school, the hoopla and excitement that played out before the big game.

Spirit hasn't changed, but the way that the kids show it has. While I miss the Pep Club, it seems to me that today's young crowd of students joining in with the cheerleaders is more inclusive with young men and women alike cheering the team on. Yes, the band is still there decked out in their spiffy uniforms playing some very familiar tunes, but today these kids need only a pass to get into the game for them to be part of the cheering section.

When I was in high school, being part of the pep club section involved purchasing a uniform, something that was not always financially available to every girl in school. You don't think of those things when you are in the throes of trying to fit into the norm at school but as I look back now, I find the reality to be pretty harsh. I hope that our school system has a way of making sure all kids get Student Passes even when they can't afford them so that every high school student can experience that spirit if they choose to.

A picture shared with me of the Lafayette Trailer Court in the 1950s, sent me back to the genealogy library to search through city directories. Located at 901 East B Street, the court no longer exists but the original buildings are there hidden under a remodel and expansion which created one building out of two and added an apartment above. Mr. and Mrs. Lafayette Hurley owned the park and when I posted the pictures on "Remember When In McCook Nebraska," a Facebook page, many people had great memories to share about Laff Hurley, who also happened to be an attorney, and if memories shared are correct, an excellent organist!

"B" Street was a hopping place in the early 1950s filled from east to west with a myriad of shops and businesses. This was all prior to the widening of the street, an action that eliminated parallel parking along the store fronts. Storefronts that had no other parking options were doomed.

I visited the 1956 city directory to see what businesses existed along the highway. From Norris Avenue going east the following are listed: Sally's Gift Shop, Hi-Way Café, Rothmeier Piano company, Stevens and Scott Law Offices, Willard Fitzwater Barber Shop, John Cemer Barber Shop, Moffitt Café, Glen's Vending Machines, McCook Seed and Hdwr, Self Service Laundry, Hormel Chevrolet, Appleyard Pottery, Firestone Store, Miller Sales & Cloverleaf Dairy, Hinky Dinky, Bottle Shop, Big Dipper (confections), Conoco Service Station, D & S Market and Grill, Loper and Bryan IGA Grocery, McCook Equity Exchange, Ogiers Filling Station, Socony Mobil Oil Co, Otto Gas, Alpha's Radio & Appliance Repair, Drakes Standard, McCook Auction House, Southwest Motors, Red Willow Equipment Co., Bob's Garage and Fisher's Shamrock Service, Casford Oil, Western Oliver Sales & Implements, Chaney's Repair, Jewell Co. Cotton Machine Shop, McCook Chevron, Lafayette Trailer Court, Trimmers Petroleum, Melkus Motel, Nazarene Church, Koetter's Grocery, Debus Baking Co., Junior College Flying Service (just says end of B but I believe this was at the airport). Those only cover going east! Next week I'll cover the west side.

SWNGS will be in the park for Heritage Days! Stop by and see us and if you have old directories, school annuals, phone books or maps of McCook or the surrounding area, please consider donating these items to our library. We welcome and treasure all memories.