We'll Go Dancing in the Dark, Walking Through Downtown ...

Cutter's Log - Stardate 9002.82.21
Current Song - That's All (Genesis)

Tonight's meeting of East End's evening coffee clatch brought up the topic about how Sterling has gone downhill. It's a common topic.

This time, we talked a little about the "old" downtown. Places like Fourth Street Methodist, the Lincoln Hotel, Emil's, Susan's, etc.

For those who remember these places, the word "businesses" is the synonymous word. To me, that word is "destruction."

You see, I was a five-year-old kid when these places fell to the wrecking ball. It was my first visual experience with things ceasing to exist. When you are that young, you think everything lasts forever. Then, "out of nowhere" there's a big hole in the church building. Then more buildings had big holes in them.

Pretty soon I thought every building would have big holes in them. My house, my neighbor's, the Synagogue, the old chiropracter's home, Wallace School, grandpa and grandma's house ...

I thought the whole town was going to be destroyed. Where were we going to live now??

I didn't say anything until the Wayne-Burdue building (in the other part of downtown) had holes in it.

"Are they going to tear down Sterling?" I asked either mommy or daddy.

(That building was actually being renovated)

It was extremely weird seeing these buildings just not there anymore. The KFC was where my grandma was an assistant manager. On a pre-school walking trip, we stopped at the Kastle for ice cream - and Mr. Fell of Fell's Barber Shop (remember "New Bosnia?") invited us all in and we each got a piece of candy. Eberley's Drug was a frequent errand for the family.

The specific area I'm referring to (if you don't know) is bounded by Locust Street on the east, Avenue C to the west, Fifth Street to the north, and Third Street to the south.

I found an online archive of the old buildings. It's from the Sterling Public Library's photo album. A lot of the pictures are of the library's new addition.