Long ago on independence square (Liberty, Jackson: supplies, underground, aluminum)

[WCHS'59]

MRG, do you have any information as to what this building was in the good old days?

[WCHS'59]

In back of this truck is the one lane driveway going back to the Blue Valley Federal Savings building parking. The truck is sitting on what would have been the US mail parking for the loading dock which extended west from that big ornate building.

[WCHS'59]

This was the parking area for the Blue Valley Federal Savings customers with the Blue Valley building in the background. The parking lot did not open to Maple in the fifties. It really looks like someone has jerry rigged the entry that is there now.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

MRG, do you have any information as to what this building was in the good old days?

During my days it was Midland True Value Hardware, which survived past 2002. I remember going to their clearance sale, but can't recall what year that was. I spent many a dollar there over the years.

[Mad Anthonie]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

If this is 317 West Maple, this would have been the home of Galen Boyer Pontiac back in the fifties. Google Maps point to this place as 317 W but I could not see an address on the front.

And the building to the right was the location of the 1000-seat Granada Theater, which was torn down to make way for a taxi cab stand and then later this building was constructed.

Shoco has been there since at least the early 1970s.

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Shoco has been there since at least the early 1970s.

Yes, my understanding from looking at Satellite View, StreetView and Polks:

Shoco is probably the old Galen Boyers showroom. True Value is probably the repairs and body shop. As WCHS says, the Granada and Sweet Shop would have been on the Spring corner immediately adjacent.

If one looks at Satellite View, it looks like The Granada did not extend fully to Lexington. I bet that cemented portion behind, which fronts WL, is 320 where Luff's and later, Pat's Lunch were.

It looks like all of GB extended thru to WL.

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

During my days it was Midland True Value Hardware, which survived past 2002. I remember going to their clearance sale, but can't recall what year that was. I spent many a dollar there over the years.

Midland TV Hardware was at 315. IN 1954 Galen Boyer was 313-317. I suspect 313 was the lot for its used cars. It might have fit in snugly to the north of BVSL, judging from Satellite View. The I guess the USPO ran north and south along the Osage side.

I have very faint recollections of this, so I'm just theorizing. I only remember GB being on WL, and while I do recall the USPO classic structure, I dont remember where it was, only what I read here and on Polks. Since I was an amateur stamp collect as a kid Im sure Ive been in there many times, but can't recall much about it (the typical wooden floors and service windows).

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

Shoco has been there since at least the early 1970s.

Shoco was a sponsor of the Independence Little League Football team, which I'm guessing was about 1964. So yeah, long long tenure in Independence.

[WCHS'59]

I took the 317 W Lexington address from a 1957 Boyer advertisement. It says Galen Boyer Motors so he may have sold Caddys also. I suspect the 313 W aspect was Used Cars or where he parked his new car inventory. However, that sure seems like it would be a small lot.

If so, maybe the Tru Value building was built after Boyer headed for the Miracle Mile.

When the Miracle Mile started around 62 or 63, Boyer moved out on Noland along with every other dealer in the square area.

I think I recall there being a Lexington Street exit from the Granada theater that was to the left of the screen looking from the seats. You had to go through curtains, I think, to exit the door.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

Shoco was a sponsor of the Independence Little League Football team, which I'm guessing was about 1964. So yeah, long long tenure in Independence.

A Shoco web site says they started business in 1949 in Independence. They moved from somewhere else that I think was closer to the square. At the time they moved I could say where it was they moved from, but now I don't have a recollection.

I am going to stick my neck out and say Shoco owned by Ted Shoush moved into the Kresge building at Maple and Main next to Bundschu when Kresge went out and then moved to the present location at some point.