Monday, May 18, 2009

Main Street Coin Shop

Today I have two very nice Main Street photos (plus one detail); they are undated, but are pre-1959, since you can see the Gibson Greeting Card store - it became the Hallmark Card Shop in 1959. I suspect that they are from around 1957.

If you were not in too much of a hurry and were willing to explore the nooks and crannies of West Center Street, you would pass that red wagon to the right (it's in front of the Swift Market House, but might be the vehicle that gave the Red Wagon Inn it's name) to the Coin Shop and the Pen Shop.


If we zoom in, there is a smiling lady with her giant shopping bag. What could be in it! I love the giant Indian head penny hanging over the door, and wish I had it in my collection. My coin collection, that is! I wonder what those displays in the window are, it's just too difficult to discern what they show.


Surreys aren't the only vehicles to have fringe on top, the Horseless Carriages do too. The driver is cleaning cotton candy goo from the seat so that the next guest doesn't ruin his seersucker suit. Town Square is peaceful today, crowds are light. The Bekins moving van (non-motorized) is back there, and there is some sort of mysterious metal scaffolding next to the Fire Station. Wuffo?

7 comments:

Red Wagon said...

I would suspect that Gibson was connected to Coin and Pen on the inside, and that the display in the Coin window is framed art relating to Gibson Greeting Cards. I adore the pin striped paper shopping bag. I wonder what year plastic bags took over?

The scaffolding visible in Town Square (tsk tsk) probably relates to the Jungle Cruise which was plussed many times during the 1950's. It could also, however, be something that gets rolled out onto the street in off hours to service the Main Street facades.

Anonymous said...

You know I think they recently stuck a big indian head penny above the entrance to the penny arcade that looks very similar to the one in that picture.

Chiana said...

Charming pics. :) And speaking of, methinks the guy is especially happy to be taking his time over the nooks & crannies of Main Street when he's enjoying what the photographer might've been lookin' at. It ain't coins, but it is pretty. It's a dish, in a blue dress. :p Look at her face, she knows it. Even the DL bag compliments the stylish lady.

Don't know re: bags Red Wagon, beyond that I might still have a few paper ones from the '80s.

Thufer said...

(After the parking lot) I enjoy a stroll down Main Street USA probably more than the rides. I personally feel it is the best of the 'themed' lands in the park. As a much younger man I was enthralled by the Pen Shop and it embedded a passion for finer writing instruments which last to this very day. Of all the 'past' stores and shops ever to be along the Street, this is the one I so wish was still with us. Thank you so much and it instantly became my desk top.

The Viewliner Limited said...

Fantastic! Memories, memories, memories. As good as it gets.

TokyoMagic! said...

Looks like there is a Bell telephone logo above the door to the right of the pen shop. A fancy phone booth? A room full of public phones?

Jim said...

Just curious, anyone know what year the coin shop was shuttered?