Pre-WWII Bond Hill (Cincinnati, Dayton, Kent: for sale, to buy, movies)

[rpbetzing]

I just found this website and having been a Bond Hill resident from birth in 1940 to marriage in 1964, it's fun to walk down memory lane. I went to school with Alex Johnson whose family owned Johnsons. Rem,ember the cream colored tile building front ? Can't tell you much about the family because they lived somewhere east of Reading Road and I lived near Bond Hill School on Laidlaw. The up and coming teenage drinkers could choose from The Sub, Bond Hill Cafe, and Johnsons. The other two were on California Ave...The Sub in the 1200 block just off of Paddock Road and the Cafe in the 1300 block near Goebbels Grill, Reidlinger Funeral Home, and Spina's Barber Shop. Curly Reidlinger was a 'regular' at the Bond Hill Cafe as was his dad before him. Danny McMahon owned the Cafe. I delivered the afternoon papers on California, Regent, Laidlaw, and Ryland and knew everyone. Boy those were the days. The neighborhood was so idyllic it would make June and Ward Cleaver seem like 'radicals'.

[Box2565]

Originally Posted by worseck

Thank you for presenting my questions to your brother. I have contacted the Cincinnati library. They say that the Williams Directory for 1940 lists a Bond Hill Fruit Market at the corner of California and Paddock (1202 California), a Kroger store at 1241 California and a Schneider Grocery Store at 1238 California between Paddock and Oakdale.

1202 California is where the 5th/3rd bank was constructed (no idea when the bank was opened there but the place certainly appeared to have been built as a bank and the building has a post-WWII look). The building is still standing although I don't recall what it is being used as these days.

1238 California is where Jo Rays pony keg was in operation in the 1960's and 70's. That building was torn down several years ago.

1241 California is across the street from 1238 (both at the corner of Oakdale) and housed an IGA in the 1960's and 70's. There is still a small market in operation in that building.

[Box2565]

Originally Posted by rpbetzing

I just found this website and having been a Bond Hill resident from birth in 1940 to marriage in 1964, it's fun to walk down memory lane. I went to school with Alex Johnson whose family owned Johnsons. Rem,ember the cream colored tile building front ? Can't tell you much about the family because they lived somewhere east of Reading Road and I lived near Bond Hill School on Laidlaw. The up and coming teenage drinkers could choose from The Sub, Bond Hill Cafe, and Johnsons. The other two were on California Ave...The Sub in the 1200 block just off of Paddock Road and the Cafe in the 1300 block near Goebbels Grill, Reidlinger Funeral Home, and Spina's Barber Shop. Curly Reidlinger was a 'regular' at the Bond Hill Cafe as was his dad before him. Danny McMahon owned the Cafe. I delivered the afternoon papers on California, Regent, Laidlaw, and Ryland and knew everyone. Boy those were the days. The neighborhood was so idyllic it would make June and Ward Cleaver seem like 'radicals'.

Hi!

Don't forget the "new" bar that opened in the same building as the laundry on California Avenue. It was almost directly across from the sub and just west of Jo Rays. I believe there may have been a hair salon in that building during the 1960's too - but these days the memories aren't all clear!

[worseck]

Originally Posted by Box2565

1202 California is where the 5th/3rd bank was constructed (no idea when the bank was opened there but the place certainly appeared to have been built as a bank and the building has a post-WWII look). The building is still standing although I don't recall what it is being used as these days.

1238 California is where Jo Rays pony keg was in operation in the 1960's and 70's. That building was torn down several years ago.

1241 California is across the street from 1238 (both at the corner of Oakdale) and housed an IGA in the 1960's and 70's. There is still a small market in operation in that building.

Thank you for the additional information on California Ave. back in the 1940s. I am amazed how bits of information come in from various sources to help build the picture of what it was like back then.

[justajean]

Wow, what a blast from the past! I'm new here and enjoying the stories. I'm almost mid 50's and went to Swifton Primary for kindergarten. Then to St. Agnes for grades 1-3, then to Bond Hill for grades 4 and 5. Lived on Berkely and Avonlea. Used to spend time at my cousins on Joseph St. They had 10 kids and I loved going there. Used to go to the park behind St. Agnes.

I remember the candy store, Mr B's I think we called it. Used our lunch money to go there at lunch in 4th and 5th gr from Bond Hill school.

I think there was a bakery close to White Castle. I used to walk and shop in Norwood on Worth Ave. There was a grocery, think it was Parkview or IGA. Across the street and further east was a UDF! Before that though, was a neat little store called Carters. It was owned by an older couple who had numbers from concentration camps tattooed on their arms! They sold some shoes, toys, household goods etc. I know there was also a dry cleaning shop, and a drugstore on this same side of the street. On the other side closer to Rhode Island was a shoe repair place.
Anyone else remember this stuff?

[jkgibb1]

Overmann's bakery was next to White Castle on California.

Borger's was the dairy on Worth Avenue. I don't know if it later became a UDF, but in the fifties and sixties, it was Borger's. (Maybe it was spelled Boerger's.) They had good egg nog.

Carter's Variety Store was west of Borger's--it was not in the same building. Mr. Carter died in the 1970s, I believe, but Edith Carter is still alive and doing quite well. She lives in Cedar Village and is either 93 or 94. I loved their store---I went to school with the daughter and on my birthday, I was allowed to pick out a present of my choice. Once, at a birthday party at their house, Mr. Carter gave each one of us a little ID bracelet or necklace and he engraved our names right there with an electric engraving tool! The Carters lived on Northcut, close to Rhode Island.

Rexall Drugs was also on Worth Avenue and was on the SE corner of the first cross street, I believe. Traveling south on Rhode Island was Wester's Drugs (or was it Wesley?) and they had a soda fountain!!!

[debbiecb1]

Hi, I just read your posting about Bond Hill and Norwood. I read what you wrote about Carter's store on Worth Ave. I am their daughter and I guess I went to school with you. It was amazing to read this.
Debbie

[mike1003]

Originally Posted by Box2565

Hi!

Don't forget the "new" bar that opened in the same building as the laundry on California Avenue. It was almost directly across from the sub and just west of Jo Rays. I believe there may have been a hair salon in that building during the 1960's too - but these days the memories aren't all clear!

If I am not mistaken, the bar had the best hamburgers. Even when I went to Bond Hill school, we would go in and get their hamburgers. I guess kids today couldn't get away with that.

Used to stop at Overman's for hot doughnuts on the way to school.

And, 5 for a quarter White Castles for lunch

[rpbetzing]

Originally Posted by jkgibb1

Overmann's bakery was next to White Castle on California.

Borger's was the dairy on Worth Avenue. I don't know if it later became a UDF, but in the fifties and sixties, it was Borger's. (Maybe it was spelled Boerger's.) They had good egg nog.

Carter's Variety Store was west of Borger's--it was not in the same building. Mr. Carter died in the 1970s, I believe, but Edith Carter is still alive and doing quite well. She lives in Cedar Village and is either 93 or 94. I loved their store---I went to school with the daughter and on my birthday, I was allowed to pick out a present of my choice. Once, at a birthday party at their house, Mr. Carter gave each one of us a little ID bracelet or necklace and he engraved our names right there with an electric engraving tool! The Carters lived on Northcut, close to Rhode Island.

Rexall Drugs was also on Worth Avenue and was on the SE corner of the first cross street, I believe. Traveling south on Rhode Island was Wester's Drugs (or was it Wesley?) and they had a soda fountain!!!

You are right...it was Wester's Drugs....the full name was Westerhelwig but shortened for convenience.

[Dekaney]

Wester's Drugs was my grandfather's store. My mother is a Westerhelweg. I believe my aunt still has the soda fountain.

Can anyone tell me when Wester's opened? We have been trying to figure out the date.