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The 500 block of S. Gaston was a busy place in the early 1940's. Where the Crane News is now, there was a grocery store. On the corner north was the Texas Electric Utility Company building, on the west side of the corner was a garage and warehouse building. Next was a grocery store run by R. A. Young, an old timer. I bought this store about 1944. This store was 25' x 40'. We did a land office business because we were next to the post office which was small, but very busy as everyone had to come to the post office to get their mail. One of the Butler boys was postmaster - J. T. Just to the north was a cafe run by a man named Long. Behind his business he dug a out a storm celler that was more like a basement for his apartment. We were all amazed as it was dug out in practically solid rock. On up the block was another grocery store. At one time run by Truman Garett and E. B. Henize. On the south corner was a sporting goods store run by Bill Morton. His daughter, Billie, was a beautiful girl who was the first Lions Club Sweetheart in January 1941. Later this corner had a busy cafe run by Johnny Stokes. Across the street, east on the 500 block was the big two story Masonic Lodge building. |