Memory lane: charleston in the 1930's (Wheeling: theater, living in, floors)

[harborlady]

Hope the history buffs will appreciate this one.


Charleston Beautiful On the Kanawha River - YouTube

[MINITRUCK83]

Thank you.

This has the only picture of the old Woolworth building that I have ever saw when it wasn't burning.
Shame they didn't film the Arcade, a pic of the Dog wagon would have been nice. I can still recall their burgers.
Amazing that so many buildings are still there.

Anybody remember the space above the Kearse Theater? Was told that the upper floors were once private clubs and a ballroom. That area was never open to the public when I ran the streets.
The Kearse was the easiest theater in town for a 10 yr old budding criminal to sneak into, (hardest was The Lyric) the fire escape door to the private box level, was accessed from between the building and the bus station, and easily opened. Waiting and mingling with the intermission bathroom crowd would get you downstairs. However opening a lower door would get you caught and banned forever!
(yeah, I'm telling on myself, but I was in good company. )
As kids we wandered all over that building. Was an area under the stage/screen, filled with all kinds of dusty interesting stuff. Prolly worth a fortune today, just junk to whoever tore the building down.

[harborlady]

Originally Posted by MINITRUCK83

Thank you.

This has the only picture of the old Woolworth building that I have ever saw when it wasn't burning.
Shame they didn't film the Arcade, a pic of the Dog wagon would have been nice. I can still recall their burgers.
Amazing that so many buildings are still there.

Anybody remember the space above the Kearse Theater? Was told that the upper floors were once private clubs and a ballroom. That area was never open to the public when I ran the streets.
The Kearse was the easiest theater in town for a 10 yr old budding criminal to sneak into, (hardest was The Lyric) the fire escape door to the private box level, was accessed from between the building and the bus station, and easily opened. Waiting and mingling with the intermission bathroom crowd would get you downstairs. However opening a lower door would get you caught and banned forever!
(yeah, I'm telling on myself, but I was in good company. )
As kids we wandered all over that building. Was an area under the stage/screen, filled with all kinds of dusty interesting stuff. Prolly worth a fortune today, just junk to whoever tore the building down.

Well, Mr. 10yr old budding criminal rapscallion-- I'm tempted to scold you but I'm too busy smirking and can't get it off my face to sound credible.

I wasn't around these parts in this era but I'm impressed. The charm of Charleston never went anywhere even if much of the population did. I get a glimpse of where it came from in this film.

[boycewv]

I think living in WV in this era would have been completely different places like wheeling and charleston were bustling little cities. Even places like welch were in their hayday, hope they comeback to where they were.

[Chriscross309]

Originally Posted by boycewv

I think living in WV in this era would have been completely different places like wheeling and charleston were bustling little cities. Even places like welch were in their hayday, hope they comeback to where they were.

But also during that time everywhere else in WV was terrible. Rural WV back then is what movie WV is today. Places like Charleston and Wheeling were islands in a sea of poverty. Now WV is overall better.