Long ago on independence square (Kansas City, Raytown: married, advertising, similar)

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

There was/is the Beverly Hills Baptist Church at 31st and Crysler. As far as it being in or near the Beverly Hills subdivision, I couldn't say.

I read in that same interview that Petey Childers graduated from WCHS in 1931. Same year as my Great-Aunt. My Dad graduated from there, as well as myself. Truman graduated from Independence High School which was the main high school before WCHS was built. I thought that Truman going to IHS was interesting, considering the fact that IHS became WCHS, which later became the biggest rival of Truman High School!


William Chrisman can boast of a number of graduates that have achieved fame. These include: Harry S. Truman, Bess Wallace Truman, Paul Henning(T.V. writer for "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Petticoat Junction" [Petey Childer's brother-in-law]), Major General John "Jack" Chiles, and Colonel Edwin Bayse(member of the "Flying Tigers").

He seemed to be somehow connecting the Paul Henning Beverly Hills TV program to the Beverly Hills subdivision in Independence. I dont know. But there are several Beverly Hills homes for sale as shown on the internet. It is in the same general area as that church.

As for famous people from Independence, don't forget Donald Duck. I dont know if he (Clarence Nash) graduated from Chrisman, though, but he once said he knew Truman well.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

William Chrisman can boast of a number of graduates that have achieved fame. These include: Harry S. Truman, Bess Wallace Truman, Paul Henning(T.V. writer for "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Petticoat Junction" [Petey Childer's brother-in-law]), Major General John "Jack" Chiles, and Colonel Edwin Bayse(member of the "Flying Tigers").

I had heard of a Chiles having to do with the early history of Independence but had never heard (I dont think) of Jack Chiles.

Here is another oral history from the Truman Library and from a military point of view is very interesting, especially when Douglas MacArthur is mentioned.

Truman Library - General John H. Chiles Oral History Interview

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

If you mean last as in final it was either a travel agency or a title loan office, I can't recall which of the two was last, but both used that building later.



It is around 30th & Crysler. There is even a Beverly Hills Baptist Church.

Yeah I remember a "Beverly Hills" as well Passed by it thousands of times as it was our commute

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

If you pull up Google, Blue Valley has 310 west as its address. I have never heard of the Luft eatery at 320. That was probably before I started paying attention to things.

That was the address listed for the 50s years I looked at (probably 52 and 57, Polk's is incomplete for several of the years that I have access to)

Ok here's 1954:

300 USPO plus Jesse L. Roy, Cigars (Jesse was well ahead of his time

310 BVFSL

320 John Luff's Restaurant

So BV must have replaced either a parking lot, or another business, and I cant imagine part of the USPO giving ground for BV.

Ah, ok further investigation, might have the Mystery solved:

1946

300 USPO
320 Luff's

But at a 314 was Smith Motor Co (used cars)

So apparently there was a lot there that sat vacant for a few years, BV bought it and then it was addressed as 310.

And yes Regis, that's my Final Answer.

[pearjas]

So this is from 1960?

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

After Turner Music moved into the former Tucker's Furniture:

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

That was the address listed for the 50s years I looked at (probably 52 and 57, Polk's is incomplete for several of the years that I have access to)



300 USPO plus Jesse L. Roy, Cigars (Jesse was well ahead of his time

I think Jesse might have been the legally blind man that ran a concession type store within the post office.

[pearjas]

There are usually a few people in there when I drop in. Mostly senior citizens I will say though, but I guess that might be obvious given the name "50+ Pharmacy". They always know who I am when I come in and get my medication ready. They either have a really good memory or I'm the youngest one to come in there..

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

And here I wondered how a drug store could possible even make it on the square nowadays, chuckle.

Back in the fifties there were drug stores on each side of the square except the east side--and more than one in each block, I think.

[pearjas]

Wow, I can't believe the difference!!!! On the other side of the building, I believe (pictures of the other streets will show) there being a True Value, that is also abandoned. It's definitely one of the worst looking places on the square. Strange how many of the buildings are at least still in use but not that one. I wonder why?

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

This was the former Blue Valley Federal Savings building. The door and all this area was all glass, and dark glass at that. There was a small parking lot behind that was actually on Maple. There was a Lexington entrance but I dont think Maple had an entrance. And, naturally, back then only the prettiest women were hired to be tellers, chuckle.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by pearjas

Wow, I can't believe the difference!!!! On the other side of the building, I believe (pictures of the other streets will show) there being a True Value, that is also abandoned. It's definitely one of the worst looking places on the square. Strange how many of the buildings are at least still in use but not that one. I wonder why?

I just looked and that small parking lot is still there in back of the former Blue Valley Savings but now has an exit onto Maple. I seem to recall there were bushes there in the old days to keep the parking lot contained for Blue Valley.

The True Value hardware is one door further west. I cannot recall what might have been there in place of the hardware in the old days.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

And, naturally, back then only the prettiest women were hired to be tellers, chuckle.

Right during senior year and/or after high school I began to notice that all the banks, lawyers, and other professional folks had only the prettiest young women working in their establishment--at least for public viewing. I never saw a homely female working in these areas.

I began wondering how it was that only the beautiful had these jobs. But as it turns out there was usually not much qualification except for the good looks.

Back then, employers could hire who they wanted and I soon found out there was a reason for all the beauty--that is to draw the customers and make the surroundings as nice as possible.