“Nobody writes letters anymore,” or so the saying goes. But for over one hundred years our city was home to thousands of letter writers and the nation’s fifth largest post office branch (after New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Detroit, Michigan). Around the turn of the 20th century, postal usage increased so rapidly that available...
The start of the City’s modern preservation movement can be traced back to one date: August 19th, 1959. That’s the date that demolition started on Davis Hall, the historic structure that stood in the center of the City for more than a century. With its massive marble columns, soaring vestibule and granite interior the...
At one time or another, most residents of our city have visited the Museum of Modern American and Canadian Art at the corner of 26th Street and Smith. What most visitors don’t know is the real story behind one of the museum’s most famous works. The controversy started in 1998, when experts began a...
During the city’s post-Civil War boom, a panel of eminent politicians, including the governor, mayor and state surgeon general, met to plan the future growth of the city. Several advances were made. In an effort to provide more room for growth, Bankton’s Marsh was filled in with refuse, which increased the size of the...
:: The 33rd Gourd Festival this weekend will include gourd carving, a gourd/squash bake off, gourd costume contest and prize for largest gourd (last year’s winner, with a 4lb, 3oz gourd received $25 TGI Friday’s gift card). :: The first incarnation of the Gourd Festival was held in 1943. Pumpkins were in short supply...
With this Friday being Arbor Day, let us take a moment to examine some of this city’s famous foliage. Independence Elm (1781) During colonial times the city was just two muddy streets– a small collection of homes surrounding the church and graveyard. Word of the Continental Congress was slow to reach our isolated hamlet,...
Here is an overview of some of the most well-known urban legends to haunt our city—none are true, but they reflect the fears and excitement of bygone times. Kiddie TV Murder (1957) Mystery has long swirled around the death of children’s TV personality Samantha Smith, who was found murdered in her home on June...
Every city has urban legends, and our city is no different. These stories grow over time, whispered in hushed tones in the corridors of power, retold to generations of passengers by gregarious cab drivers, or a vaguely remembered by an aging bartender at one of the city’s many watering holes. They may have been...
In the first part of the 20th century, before making the cross-country trek to Hollywood, the motion picture industry settled briefly in our fair city. During the early years of cinema, film companies were based on the east coast, centered in New York City. However, costs began to increase exponentially, due to both organized...
Hello, everyone. Due to the upcoming holiday week, posting will be rather light. So, we leave you with a holiday-oriented Friday Facts and hope that all of you have a relaxing and happy holiday, with your friends and family. :: The most recent volume of the city’s telephone directory features a Santos Klaussen, a...
LiveJournal Feed