Spotlight on Hanover memories, Part 3: Joe’s, Hollander’s, Kroh’s and more
I hope you’ve been enjoying our spotlight on the Hanover area this week. It’s been fun for me to tie some things together and hopefully to spark some new memories as well.
In one previous post that drew a lot of comments, I was asking about the locations of Joe, the Motorists’ Friend and Hollander’s in Hanover.
In response, I heard from several folks, including Lynn Strevig, who writes, “I worked at the Joe’s store in Hanover evenings and Saturdays while in high school. The store was located in the Clearview Shopping Center on Carlisle Street between the Rea & Derick Drugstore and the A & P Supermarket.”
Lynn continues, “The shopping center has been extensively remodeled since that time (1968-1970), but I think that part of Kleffel’s Clothing Store now occupies the space where Joe’s was located. The Hollander’s store, I think, was located at 100 Carlisle Street, just one block off of the square in the building now occupied by the Bridal Aisle. The people who managed Joe the Motorists’ Friend, Raymond and Josephine Becker, previously managed the store uptown. One thing that always puzzled me, and maybe someone else has this answer, did Hollander’s move to the shopping center before it became Joe the Motorists’ Friend? Because Hollander’s was painted in the glass transom over the front door at the shopping center store.”
Meanwhile, I also heard from Barry Colehouse, who wrote regarding the picture we showed of Hanover’s Forest Park, as well as several other memories, including some that could help with Lynn’s question.
Barry writes, “I am old enough to remember the Forest Park. I remember the old roller coaster and the skating rink. But I’d like to know if any of your readers remember Victor Kroh’s candy store on the square. It was memorable for its popcorn machine. It had a clown that turned the popcorn. Victor told me one time that he had been offered large amounts of money for it. He never sold it. It was placed in storage after he closed his store. It was one of those things that when you see it you never forget it. And yes Hollander’s was on the square and later moved the ‘New’ shopping center. It is always a treat to stroll down memory lane.”
I saved one of my favorite Hanover-area memory letters for last, because it helps to sum up several of the topics we’ve talked about this week.
It’s from Eugene F. Miller of Manchester Township, who writes, “I was born and raised in Hanover. I am now 75 years old. We moved to Parkville when I was 4 or 5. We lived almost a mile south of Forest Park. I went to Park school, which was about 150 yards north of Forest Park. We stayed in Parkville for eight years, then moved to McSherrystown. I spent many hours at Forest Park. I had barely a few nickels to spend, but fortunately my older cousin Raymie worked at the park and would give me a few free ride tickets. Enough on me. Now on to how I remember (or don’t remember) the Hanover area.”
As far as “not remembering,” Eugene’s letter was interesting because he didn’t remember the SIGN for Forest Park (see it here on Jim McClure’s York Town Square blog), even though he remembered the park itself so well. You can see more photos of the park – and of Parkville School, which Eugene attended – here.
What Eugene did remember, though, was awesome. In fact, he thinks previous commenter Mary Graybill was quite possibly his family’s next-door neighbor on the Baltimore Pike in Parkville, which would be an amazing “only in York County” story itself!
Another thing Eugene mentioned was something Barry had asked about. Eugene writes, “Vic Kroh’s confectionary store was on the southeast corner of the square. Vic also ran a taxi service. I know because my uncle, Cletus Gruver, drove taxi for him.” Eugene had also mentioned to me that Vic had a popcorn machine – the neat one Barry describes, I’m sure – and sold popcorn for a nickel a bag, having the machine outdoors on the square in nice weather.
Eugene also remembered a shoe-shine and hat parlor on Broadway and Famous Hot Weiner (which is still there). “When I was in high school,” he writes, “I worked at Bittenger’s Market on E. Chestnut St. On Saturday, I would go to The Famous for dinner… two hot dogs w/everything and a chocolate milkshake, total cost, 65 cents.”
On Carlisle Street, he recalled Lloyd’s clothing store, McCrory’s 5 & 10, Biddle’s shoe-shine parlor – which also sold comic books – a Texas Hot Weiner restaurant, and Dick Garret’s cigar store. “Dick also had a wonderful soda and ice cream fountain,” Eugene said, along with a pool hall upstairs that was only for the adult crowd. Eugene said most of his memories revolve around the Carlisle Street area. Why? “That is where the Strand Theater was located,” he said. “I spent many Saturday afternoons there. They always showed a western then … Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Charles Starrett, et al. We called the Strand the shootin’ gallery!”
And that wraps us back around to yet another past post topic, movie memories. Pretty cool. Thank you all for coming along this trip down to Hanover this week!
G.C. Murphy 5 & 10 was located on Carlisle Street…..McCrorys opened later with a lunch counter and some booths on Frederick Street, next to the old State Theater.
Hanover Market House was located on East Chestnut Street, and Saturday mornings at 7:00 AM, shoppers were lined up waiting for the doors to open.
On West Chestnut Street the old Park Theater was located, and the OJ Myers Furniture Store was on the other corner. St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church was also on the same corner (the newer building). Behind the church was the old church graveyard which was ripped out for progress. Many of Hanover’s older settlers were buried there, including my ancestors, some members of the Wentz family. I have often wondered what became of the graves….were the stones just taken out and the graves built over or were the graves moved to another location?
Sandy: St Matthews historian in their office should be able to answer that.
There is a Public Notice in the September 19, 1972 Hanover Evening Sun which states that the “present headstones, in a state of deterioration, will be removed.” The notice includes a long alphabetical list of names for the “descendants and-or heirs.” I too have Wisensale ancestors who are on the list.