1930 1940
Reflections
A Special Supplement to Register Publications 2015
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Reflections • 2015 - Page 5
The 1930s: ‘The Flood’ was the main act, but the cast of characters was spectacular too To many residents of Dearborn County, the 1930s are synonymous with the 1937 Flood. Without doubt, the flood is the most devastating natural disaster inflicted upon the southern portion of the county and much of the north, where the Whitewater River tried desperately to match the savagery of the Ohio River. The ’30s, however, are more than the Flood. The decade was a time of tremendous change that worked its influences on country folk and the townsfolk of Lawrenceburg, Aurora, Greendale, and the hamlets that dotted the hills and rills. What we call radios, they called “talkies.” During the Golden Age of radio, 14 million Americans had home radios. Bind-blowing, considering that in the 1920s about 500,000 American households were radioed up. It tells us that our neck of the woods produced three outstanding radio personalities. Many know the name of Edwin C. Hill, Aurora. Others may be familiar with the original “Boss,” Murice Johnston from North Hogan Creek, who was called the Boss. Johnston was a mainstay on WLW for 30 years, and is noted for opening each show with the phrase, “How is everything down on the farm tonight?” Yes, the farm. In the 1930s, much of Greater Cincinnati still was farmland, and Dearborn County was atop the agricultural community. You know the twice-yearly Shoot in Friendship? Boss was among the organizers of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association Shoot there. Hill, on the other hand, went national. Broadcasting out of New York City, the Aurora hometown boy also wrote The Humane Side of the News, a syndicated column. All three were from the Aurora area, including Elmer Davis, who wrote for 10 years before hooking up with a national radio network, then a
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European network. Long way from home. Davis, according to the history books, became one of the most distinguished commentators in radio history. He received the Peabody Award, kind of like radio’ s Oscar, three times. And during World War II was in charge of the Office of War Information. Born in Lawrenceburg in 1987, Louis Skidmore would become know as one of the 20th Century’s most celebrated architects. The graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was chief designer of the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, and consulted for the 1936 World’s Fair in the Big Apple. Have you heard of the 1932 fire? On a Saturday night, a deafening explosion rocked Lawrenceburg when the Rossville Commercial Alcohol Corporation near Greendale went up in flames consuming the distllery and all its office buildings. The damage came to $400,000, a pretty penny during The Great Depression. They call Lawrenceburg Whiskey City for a reason. The pure water from the great aquifer beneath The ’Burg and neighboring Greendale was the start of it all. When Prohibition ended in 1933, three distillers opened creating many jobs. Schenley came to Greendale by acquiring the old Squibb Distillery. Seagram took up residence in Lawrenceburg, and James Walsh was operated by some dudes called the O’Shaughnessy Brothers in Greendale.
Reflections
cAtionS 2015 to RegiSteR publi A SpeciAl Supplement
In this special section, we bring you a panoply of images, headlines and clippings. It isn’t meant to be a scholarly account or a complete history. We call it Reflections, a glimpse into the past, into a decade that often is pushed aside by the glamor of the Roaring Twenties and the war years. Have fun.
Reflections • 2015 - Page 6
Pages
from the
Past...
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Dillsboro Health Resort
T
he Dillsboro Health Resort was a popular place in the 1930s. Folks from throughout Indiana, Greater Cincinnati, and Midwest would relax, exercise, drink Pluto water to restore their health and invigorate their “constitution.” The lovely garden relaxed the mind.
Reflections • 2015 - Page 9
Second Street in Aurora, looking west. 1937 high water mark on building above Crosley sign.
Tuxedo Mills was a popular shopping location for the 1930s’ agrarian society in Dearborn county.
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Louis Skidmore The old Aurora steam engine was used in 1937 to pump water out of the cellar of Ullrich Drug Store in Aurora after the devastating flood had receded.
Louis Skidmore was the chief architect of the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago. In 1939, Skidmore and brother-inlaw Nathaniel Ownings opened a business in Chicago, the start of what became one of the most influential architectural firms in the 20th Century.
Herman Lange
The “new” Aurora High School in about 1929-30.
Sheriff Herman Lange was the first Dearborn County sheriff to be killed in the line of duty. After investigating a shooting on the Whitewater River in West Harrison, the lawman lost his life in 1929 while questioning a suspect.
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The Rev. Newendorf and his wife display a fine tobacco harvest. Newendorf was minister of St. John Lutheran Church, Farmers Retreat, in the 1930s.
Kids gather ’round for picture making at the St. John Lutheran Church Sunday School Picnic at the Gilbert Nolte farm at Farmers Retreat. Teacher Irma Schuette owned the store across the street. 1st row: Howard Luke, Ralph Gischer, Leo Schuette. 2nd row: Alvera Kuhlman, Lorraine Pruss, Dorothy Linkmeyer, Paul Westmeier, Ruth Linkmeyer. 3rd row: Irma Schuette (teacher), Arthur Rump, Frances Nieman & Kenneth Fischer.
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Earl Huffman wrote a great deal about Dearborn County history for The Aurora Register and other iterations of Dearborn County newspapers. He now is viewed by many county residents as an iconic piece of local history himself.
Aurora Farmers Fair in the 1930s.
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Folks gather in droves in circa 1930 at the Zion Evangelic church on Walnut Street in Lawrenceburg.
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The evacuation route from Lawrencburg to Greendale.
Phil Emmert last of the refugees from Lawrenceburg.
Greendale was cut off when the Guilford Road flooded.
Remembering and honoring the citizens and businesses of Greendale for their generous recovery efforts to their friends and neighbors in Lawrenceburg during the Great Flood of 1937.
the City of Greendale Makeshift kitchen in the Cook factory.
Tent City is now the new Greendale Firehouse on Ridge Avenue.
The old firehouse, now police, mayor, and clerk-treasurer’s offices, became a commissary.
Mass is said in the A.D. Cook Foundry Feb. 7, 1937. Lutherans held services in the Old Quaker Bottling Plant.
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Remembering & Honoring The Citizens of Aurora For their determination to rebuild our city following the devastation of the 1937 flood.
Thank You. The City of Aurora
Mayor Donnie Hastings, Jr. Randy Turner, Clerk Treasurer City Council: John Borgman • Michael Crider Kevin Gerke • Melvin Kremer Jr. • Benny Turner
Reflections • 2015 - Page 18
Back Together
The Lawrenceburg High School Class of 1932 met for its 50th reunion in June 1982 at the Dearborn Country Club.
The CL&A left the station in Aurora, came through Lawrenceburg, stopped in Addyston, and went on to the Queen City. The trolly was a primary means for Dearborn County residents to visit the big Buckeye metropolis.
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John Hamilton, stovetop hat and all, owned the Eagle Hotel in Aurora.
John Hamilton Carnegie Hall, Moores Hill in the 1930s.
Logan Township storefront … 1929-30. Above Left: These photos are from Jane Farrar Goodman. Her father ran the Aurora Ferry and he and his wife wanted to live near the Ohio River. “They did a lot of work on their house and moved in only to have the flood demolish everything in January 1937. They repaired it, but after they had to move out again during the flood in 1945 my mother said that was it. They moved to 9 Richmond St.” With the gas tank, 202 Third and Judiciary streets, which today is the site of Chase Plumbing. The photo shows the location as a garage, and the sign shows Don Giffin as proprietor. The red brick building on the far corner was owned by Red Orem. He sold the property to the Ransoms who razed the building and constructed a gas station. The big white building, which was demolished, was at the location of Tandy’s IGA parking lot. John Giffin’s, mother Amelia, lived upstairs. John and Sarah Giffin, parents of Don Giffin, owned the structure. The bungalow house of John and Sarah Giffin was at 267 Decatur St. The house was along the river where Lesko Park now sits. All the homes on that side of Decatur were torn down.
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The Flood Above: Lawrenceburg from the sky. Left: The 1937 Flood washed houses off foundations. The tree saved this one from being washed downriver. Below: The Red Cross set up tents for homeless folks. Tent Cities emerged in Greendale and Aurora City Park.
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Left: Flooded houses on Broadway Street in Aurora.
Right: Bill McSwain, Aurora, took the big flood in stride.
Left: The flood also hit inland areas such as Guilford.
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Left: Valley Garage, N. Sycamore, Harrison, circa 1930. Picture submitted from the Harrison Historical Society Museum Collection. Below: The Valley Garage Buick. Picture taken in the 1930s. Pictured submitted from the Harrison Historical Society Museum Collection.
Left: By 1932, Greyhounds are racing at the new dog track west of town on U.S. 52 in Dearborn County. Anyone can get a job at $12 a week. The Dog Track needs cooks, parking lot attendants, concessions staff and maintenance workers. These jobs, although seasonal, are welcome. The Depression Era still has its grip on the economy and the dog track brings some relief to Harrison. Even though pari-mutual betting is illegal in Indiana, heads are turned and the track is allowed to flourish. Young men work there six days a week as “lead-out boys” escorting the greyhounds down the paddock for the betters to look over the entries. The pay is $3 a night. Monkeys dressed in colorful “racing silks” are the big attraction on Friday nights, as they ride the greyhounds to the finish line. Sometimes traffic is backed up as far as Miamitown on the nights the monkeys ride. The quarter-mile oval track is ordered to close in the late 1930s, some say, for “political reasons.” Others believe that horse racing interests pressured authorities into shutting the Harrison Dog Track down. The vacant buildings stand until the end of World War II, when W.F. Kaiser buys the track and sells the lumber, a scarce commodity at that time.” The Century and Gold Historical Booklet Committee, “Harrison, Ohio 1850-2000” (Harrison, OH, 2000), Courtesy of the Committee and the Village Historical Society. While radio and newspapers were fine for every day news, a national news story was best seen on screen.
Reflections • 2015- Page 23
After the war in 1947, the State Theatre moved from 211 Harrison Ave. to a modern facility at 120 N. State St. Owner John Vlachos offered current feature films and national news footage, which was very popular, according to the The Century and Gold Historical Booklet Committee, “Harrison, Ohio 1850-2000” (Harrison, OH, 2000). Courtesy of the Committee and the Village Historical Society. While radio and newspapers were fine for every day news, a national news story was best seen on screen.
The State Theatre was owned by John Vlachos. It opened in 1937 at 211 Harrison Avenue. Every December, Vlachos would invite the school children to view one movie on the house as a Christmas gift. For some youngsters this generous Christmas gift from Mr. Vlachos is the only movie they will see that year. He makes it an annual tradition. Photo submitted from the Harrison Historical Society Museum Collection.
Above: William Henry Harrison High School basketball team, 1930. Left: William Henry Harrison High School basketball team, 1932. Picture submitted by the Harrison Historical Society Museum Collection.
Reflections • 2015 - Page 24
Above: William Henry Harrison High School basketball team, 1937. Picture submitted by the Harrison Historical Society Museum Collection.
Above: William Henry Harrison High School Basketbal team, 1931. Picture submitted by the Harrison Historical Society Museum Collection.
Left: The Lawrenceburg American Legion’s flying red horse, Peggy, was a mainstay in parades throughout the area in the 1930s. Named for Pegasus in mythology, the logo of Mobile Oil. Peggy was built in a Guilford garage in 1936. Below: The Miamitown Methodist Church was consumed by a blaze in the 1930s. The photo on the left shows the church before the devastating fire; the photo on the right shows the structure on fire.
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VOLUME 91, ISSUE 63
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 & TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012
WWW.BGNEWS.COM
Cable companies Fraternity hosts ‘Same Sex Safe compete for usage Sex’ for national service project By Danae King Pulse Editor
Students may be able to tune into something different next year. The University’s cable contract is due to expire in June, and it is looking into a new contract. For the past 10 years, Time Warner Cable has provided cable to the campus, including residence halls, athletic events and classrooms. Now, the University has four options for cable providers - Time Warner, Buckeye Cable, Campus Televideo and Institutional Network Communications. “There’s a good mix between cable and dish,” said Andy Grant, director of business operations at the University. “There’s two different industries for the same outcome.”
Student Wellness Center, Psychology instructor discuss contraceptives, safe sex practices
“Our hope is through the negotiations that we’ll end up with roughly half the channels in high definition.” Sarah Waters | Residence Life Director These four companies responded to a request for a proposal the University sent out and have made proposals to the University committee regarding the decision. A request for proposal outlines the requirements of the University. The companies then respond with a proposal to explain how they would provide the service. Included in the request are the
See CABLE | Page 2
By Molly McNamara Reporter
The Delta Lambda Phi National Social Fraternity hosted a “Same Sex Safe Sex” event in the Union this past Friday night. About 30 people attended the event that was part of the fraternity’s “rush” week and was hosted to educate students on safe sex practices primarily for same sex couples. The fraternity is a national chapter for gay, bisexual and progressive men. “Our national service project is ‘Be safe, educate’, which this particular event is a part of,” said the fraternity’s Vice President Kyle Shupe. Shupe took the Psychology course, Human Sexuality, this past year, which Marissa Wagner
Marissa Wagner Oehlhof Human Sexuality instructor
Oehlhof has taught for the past three years. Her presentations in the class were both informative and interesting, Shupe said. It was for these reasons he thought she would be the best candidate to speak at this event. Oehlhof said she was excited to speak at the event because she is often approached by students to come to such occasions and talk about controversial topics others usually back away from. “Somebody needs to say these things out loud and if other peo-
ple aren’t volunteering, then I will,” Oehlhof said. “I feel like there is a lot of misinformation out there and by not talking about these things we are basically telling these people to get diseases or to have problems because nobody wants to address it.” Oehlhof began her presentation addressing the proper use of contraceptives, primarily on the “Do’s and Don’ts” of condoms. She went on to explain the variety of STD’s that can be spread through unsafe sexual activity and included images to emphasize their severity. Because there are so many stereotypes that are often asso-
See SEX | Page 2
FAFSA offers more for students’ earlier completion
GAME NIGHT
Government provides various types of financial aid By Abby Welsh Reporter
Call
Dennis Klausing
What do you think about the changes?
See Page 3 for a full story on the possible updates to the Rec
ABBI PARK | THE BG NEWS
PHI DELTA THETA Fraternity members invited guests to watch the Superbowl XLVI at their Fraternity house Sunday. The New York Giants won against New England Patriots.
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Let us know of some student groups you’re part of on Facebook and Twitter. Also on our site Tuesday, see what the History Society is up to
SPORTS
Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms are due in February, but the benefits lie with students who fill them out early. Students who fill out FAFSA forms have a higher chance at getting the best loans and grants offered, University officials said. “Feb. 15 is the soft deadline and students can fill out forms early,” said Eric Bucks, associate director of Financial Aid. “Students can also complete forms after. We won’t reject forms if past this soft deadline.” Bucks said students begin filling them out at the first of the year
FORUM
BG hockey earns split
Healthy stress relievers
The BG hockey team split its weekend series with No. 8 Notre Dame after a come-from-behind win Saturday | PAGE 6
Columnist Tara Keller reminisces about growing up in the 90s and the days when stress relief came from healthy activities instead of drinking | PAGE 4
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through fall, and then fall through spring with no cutoff. When students complete the FAFSA form, provided through fafsa. ed.gov, they are notified about what they qualify for in terms of grants and loans. The amount of money granted depends on the student’s financial situation. FAFSA offers many different grants and loans including Federal Perkins Loan, Direct Stafford Loan and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. You can find more details about these loans and others at studentaid.ed.gov.
See FAFSA | Page 3
What changes would you like to see at the Rec? Shorter rims so I can dunk.
RICKY SHAFFER Freshman, Business