Pat Lindsay's E-Mail of
Former Bluefield, VA Businesses
Good Morning,
By way of introduction, I am from Bluefield and
graduated from Graham High School in 1956. At the urging of one of my
classmates, I am writing to give you some additional information on businesses
in Bluefield. I am unsure of the dates they closed or went into business, but
I can name a considerable number of them, having lived on Virginia Avenue for
several years.
Starting at the corner where you turn to go to
West Graham, there was Ray Barnett's service station. Next to that was the
fire station and Pet Dairy. Before the town hall was built, there was a
produce stand that operated in the summer. On the hill was Dr. Phlegar's
office. Across the street from the produce market was the Bluefield, Virginia
Library, a restaurant, an appliance store, and a brick building that I believe
was once a bank. However, during World War II it housed the rationing board.
Everyone had to go there to get their rationing stamps. Across the corner was
the Chicago House Furniture Company, the police department and jail. Then
there was Hammond's cafe and the Lee Theater. They burned down but I do not
remember the year. Next to the Lee Theater was the Brumfield home, the post
office, and the Bank of Graham on the corner.
Back down the street to the corner was the New
Graham Pharmacy, the Masonic Building, the textile factory, later to become
Mr. Gill's hardware and the B & M market owned by the Berkshires. Next to
that was Vance Turner's taxi stand, later to become Mr. Meade's variety story,
then it became Virginia Ann Jewelry and Graham Floral. Next to that was
Wagner & Hawkins Funeral Home, RaLee's variety (sort of a small Woolworth's or
in today's thinking, a forerunner of WalMart). RaLee's became an interior
decorating business.
Going toward the West Virginia line, I am not sure
of the order of their appearance, but there was Joe Gillespie's market,
Freddie Amato's barber shop, the pool hall, Fisher Trenton Pharmacy, R. P.
Harmon's dry goods (men's and women's clothing), and on the corner was the
original Krogers. It wasn't until later that the building that now houses
Rasi's was built. Up and down the street, over the businesses, there were
apartments and other professional offices including the following: Dr.
Ferraccio, MD; Dr. Wagner, DDS; Dr. Milchin, MD; Dr. Gillespie, DDS; Joe
Barnes, CPA; and Crockett Hughes, Attorney.
On the other corner from the early Kroger store
there was Bluefield Monument, Virginia Foods, Eclipse Moving and Storage and
the Farm Bureau. On the opposite side was Mrs. Catron's. She had a rooming
house, served meals, and had a beauty salon in her basement. Across from the
Farm Bureau was the Nehi Bottling Company. Right on the West Virginia line
there was another small grocery. That area was known as East Graham. New
Method Laundry was located behind the Bank of Graham. Later, the A & P was
built.
Back to the corner of the Chicago, on South
College, there was a bowling alley and another dry cleaning business. Across
the street there was a storefront, but I can't remember what was there.
Behind that was a small day care business. Next to the church, Wagner Funeral
Home was built and moved from Virginia Avenue.
I cannot name all the businesses in West Graham,
but can add to the list you have. There was the Pure
Oil Distributor, and there was a small grocery just past what is now Dudley
Funeral Home. Past that was Central TV (early to middle 50's), Cotton's, a
second-hand store, the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company (now a convenience
store/gas station), Creasey's Casket Company, Sealey Mattress Factory, and
Fairmont Foods. At the entrance to Maple Hill was another small grocery
store.
I think that is about it. I know I have pictures
packed away. If I can find them, will send them to you. Keep working on the
web site. I am sure it will be of interest to your viewers.
Some additional information. The original Graham
High School (Graham Intermediate) burned down just after Christmas in 1956.
Thanks for starting your web site. I look forward
to it growing.
