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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNorthgate Panel Supporting MaterialsLocal /State ii 07 1 __Paqe'A Churning up the past brings hope for Northgate's future By YVONNE SALCE Eagle saft writer Bea Ivy Smith and Teeny Anderson Wicker paid no attention to the cat calls from college boys attending Texas A&M in the early days. "In those days, we considered those cat calls compliments," says Wicker, 67, re- membering that her treks across campus gave the young men at A&M something to hoot about And Smith, who was usually on her way to violin lessons, said she enjoyed the whooping as well — that Is, until the boys would snatch her instrument and taunt her until they had her complete at- tention. "We weren't all owed on campus on April Fool's Day;' says Smith, 72, of Texas A &M when it was an all-male cam- pus. "Wild. Wild. Wild. All I remember is shoes in the trees." Actually, the two life -long residents of College Station remember quite a bit. They joined about 16 other residents in sharing their memories of eazly College Station, particularly Northgate. The group met on Wednesday morning with members of the College Station His- toric Preservation Committee and the Conference Center Advisory Committee. The committees have started an oral his- tory project called "Memory Lanes" that tells the story of College Station from the 1920s to the 1950s. The first glimpse of memory lane is early Northgate. "You're our only link with the real Northgate," says Sharon Golson, com- mittee member for the oral history Project, to residents about to go before the video camera. "You're the only ones that can give us this information." Frances James Kimbrough, 79, recol. lects the days when her father's drug- store occupied a spot in Northgate. "I can remember coming out to the Col. lege Station drugstore on the trolley," says KLmbrough, whose father owned two other stores in Bryan. A trip from Bryan to College Station could take 95 minutes, she says. That was before 1928, and as Kim - brough remembers it, there were no brick buildings in Northgate. Nor was there clean tap water. "We were afraid to drink the water, be- cause the water was black," Kimbrough says. "So, we got to drink a lot of soda" Plans for revitalizing what was Coll_ ege Station's downtown area are in the works. The College Station City Council recently approved spending more than $600,000 on Northgate. The dollars will go to improving the di- lapidated water lines and deteriorating streets, and to creating a master plan for revitalizing the area. Golson says the oral history project will be a lengthy one and a date for the finished product is not known. Other areas of "Memory Lanes" include Easth. gate, the Southslde and campus kids. . ......... W.,. ,., "" , Anderson Wicker, , converse during College Station Historic Preservation memories of Northgate. Future programs will locus on other oral histories. /ry Ou College Station Peggy Calliham Preservation group trying to save history College Station's Historic Preservation. Committee, in cooperation with the 'College Station Conference Center's Advisory Committee, is presently very active in trying to research and preserve this young city's history. They are docu- menting much of the history while some of the original residents and their family members are still around to tell their sto ries. One of the many projects they have undertaken is an oral history of College Station called "Memory Lanes," which will eventually be turned into a book. This project began last fall when local residents were invited to come and tell of their memories and recollections of the Northgate area during College Station's earliest years. Fascinating stories came forth from such recognizable family names as Zubik, Holick, Boyett, Ivy, and Garner, all who had business interests at one time in the Northgate area. The committee has plans to research several other "memory lanes" in the future. Some of those suggested are:: Campus Kids, Eastgate, early A&M fac -: ulty, churches, city officials arid trans -: portation. The nex'� lane to be researched will be the "Southside: Memory Lane." Southside, or College Park, as it was: officially named, was actually developed by Floyd B. Clark, and four other profes sors, who formed the Southside: Development Company in 1921. He had been given the assurance by- the Texas A &M president that when 10: residences were developed, utility lines: could be extended from the A&M cam -: pus. Professors were hired to work in their off -time to aid the development of; the subdivision. . • yes rtrij According to records, they never had: o hire a salesman because lots essential' ly sold themselves. I... In 1932, Hershel.Burgess, a businesst gipan and former student at Texas' A &Mt: urchased 80 acres of land next to; liege Park and formed the Oakwood Realty Company. ". He subdivided his property and called: it the Oakwood addition. 'He was, able to; take advantage of assistance from =thy Federal Housing Administration, whicY{: made it easier for people to buy then homes. According to Burgess, Oakwood: was the first FHA approved project between Dallas and Houston. After the residential area had already,: begun to develop, the city of College: Station finally was incorporated in 193$; when it became apparent that a true govt ernmental organization was essential:: They set up a system of self taxation,; which the citizens readily approved, as, is evident in a 1939 article -from the Battalion. I When the residents of a locality band themselves together and resolve to mak@ theirs' a better community in which to live, and accept the burden of financing the movements to make it such,' then progress is being made. It is felt by the board of aldermen that such is the case' here in "College Station. By working together and cooperating with each other, this city can become the model for others. 7 The Southside holds many warm an d enjoyable stories that have been p. ssed among locals for years. I + My favorite tales of that area were the Billy Goats' Gruff Bridge stories, which were perpetuated by a couple of genera tions of youngsters "educating" the nexl generation.,' Many of us as children, who were more easily impressed than we were discern. ing,.remained terrified for years of makr ing noise when we crossed that bridge; lest the trolls would come out and get u; In fact,'I am not sure how many year* ago'itwas that I quit tiptoeing over th;t bridge. �• The Historic Preservation Committed ,would like o document and share suct stories with future generations as part of el College station's history. Invitations have been sent to morg ;;,than 70 local residents who may have information, but if you are one of those and did not receive an invitation, "it was simply our lack of information o ax oversight. If you have some interesting memories and stories to share, we would love tp extend an invitation to you to attend the reception and oral history gathering on Friday at the College Station Conference Center, 1300 George Bush Drive, between 9:30 a.m. and noon. Interviewers will be Mary Beth Hayes, Lisa and Scott Burns, Lea Ferris, Mary Jane Hirsch, Ellen Horner, Naorra Shannon, Mary and John Henry,, Patricia Burke, and me, Peggy Calliham. Please call Gracie Calbert at 764.372E for more information or to let her knotr you will be attending. We look forward to hearing from;you.; N Peggy Calliham is the Public Relations & Marketirlp Manager for the city of College Station. ' ge 4. Section A, Thursday. June :Brazos Bootmake r By Gabrielle Lege PRESS Columnist •. As the early morning sun `:slowly lights Texas A &M Univer- and a morning bugle calls, one ;•Can almost hear the immortal ':aiords: "Once upon a time long, .bong ago. . ." The sound of horse and buggy 4attle down a little dirt road that Separated the campus from a few country stores; the echo of Lawrence Sullivan Ross' footsteps - across a campus that lives steeped in legend and faded black and white photos; and sounds of the first Mr. 'Holick in his shoe repair shop in -the core dorms. Nearly 100 years later, the sun still rises on the campus, the paved Toad is used by cars instead of horses: President MONey's steps have replaced those of Governor Ross; and what was a block of three 15, 1989 JUST S.4 Y'7 SAW IT 11V THE PRESS.! g" ­ Valley Living carries on A &M, family tradition or four country stores is now neighborhood of shops. Throughout it all, one thing has not changed -- a Holick is still making boots and repairing shoes for the Corp of Cadets at Texas A &M. The Holick's Boot Makers and Insignia Mfg. of today is a small shop on College Main N. run by Mr. Johnnie Holick and his wife Dorothy. "My father was from Prague, which is now Czechoslovakia," Johnnie began. "He studied in Vi- enna to be a shoemaker. When he left [Europe), he came to Kansas and worked as a farm hand, but he got tired of that and, on hearing that there was work at a timber com- pany in Orange, Texas, he set out for there. About the only real way to get around then was by pains so, he hopped a freight train. One morning he woke up to find his car had been switched off at a station. a He got off, found out he was Bryan and decided to stay since W a great uncle here. "You and I wouldn't be sittin here if it weren' for that. Guess just goes to show how one thin can change so many lives." Johnnie is a native of Bryan an Dorothy is from Montana. "I was raised in Omaha, No braska and met Johnnie in Omaha and moved to Texas," Dorothy said. Johnnie and Dorothy met an married in 1940 in Omaha whit Johnnie was travelling there. "1 knew I loved him when he kissed me. "Johnnie was taking me home and helping me pick my sister up from the railroad station. When we went to pick up my sister, we missed the train so, he took me home. I didn't know he was going to kiss me good night but, when he did, I knew I loved him," she d. smile "He asked my parents first be_ fore he proposed," she laughed. "I know it's not being done now but, it wasn't done then either. We moved here after we were married and, we have been here ever since. I moved down here first before we were married ld$ee where I would be living and, I fell in love with the- little town. It was little then. "If we survive a little longer we will be having our 50th wedding anniversary in two more years," Johnnie grinned The Holicks, have three daugh- ters -- Cookie, Cathy and Billy June. Cookie was a school teacher for 13 years but, now works at the shop, as does Cathy. Billy June lives in Wimbelley, Texas with her husband and, helps run their phar- macy'. The Holicks also have seven grandchildren and four great -grand- children. Johnnie was originally a musi- cian. I worked for theater orchestras. My first job was in Liberty, Texas as a theater musician. I wasn't so good at the way they had to play. "MY neat job was in Fort Worth as a vaudeville musician. We'd re- hearse for a couple, of hours then Put on the show," he said. ' - Johnnie played the Flute and Piccolo. in "We had to learn several things he because we had to switch to differ- ent instruments during a show," he g said. "My dad was a musician and it he taught as to play but, I had to 9 learn mostly on my own. W: en I was 16, I had a teacher for six d months who taught me a lot but, I had to work," he said. - Johnnie started playing in or- chestrss when he was 1l years old and often played in the Queen The - d ater in Downtown Bryan. He would e also play in local dance bands and summer orchestras when they had plays at Texas A &M. I was a musician for about a period of 15 or 20 years," he said. "After a while that kind of thing just faded away. I got into music just when things were about to happen. There was the advent of sound movies and all the theater musicians lost their job. I decided not to take any traveling jobs and came to work for my father who had a Flourishing business at the time." Johnnie said that from time to time he misses being a musician but not as much as he used to. Up until he was 67, Johnnie played with local orchestras to fulfill his love of music. Instead of a career in music, Johnnie took it upon himself to travel and team how to make shoes. In 1932, Johnnie began helping his father make cowboy boots and Ag- gie boots. "I took it as a new adventure; it was something I was very interested in," he smiled. "For a long time we n made cowboy boots and orthopedic shoes and pretty soon we had too n much to handle and couldn't find a any one to carry on so, we quit that but by that time, in 1958. I had c started my insignia business and I A Spent practically all my time on c o that." The name plates that the Air -- Force used were sewn onto the uni- form and were ruined in the wash so, Johnnie devised a plastic pocket that held the name rag and could stand up to washing. "I discovered that I was dealing with a close -knit group and every-, time someone saw something new they wanted to know about it. It was like someone carrying a banner around for you. Pretty soon, I had orders coming in from everywhere." /Vo 0-If 1 to ✓onnnre Hoick and his wife Dorothy. Johnnie said. He also developed washable insignia for military uni forms that has been very successful. "The boot- making business was never something you made much money from. It was something you got by with if you were lucky. We never made a lot of money out of it but, we are very proud of it, and we went m keep it going. The insignia business is what has been prof- itable." At the store Dorothy takes care of the payroll and bookkeeping. Johnnie primarily supervises the work done and assists customers with special needs. "I was never fond of being en- gaged in a daily occupation and I ften thought that I would quit when I was 65, but I'm 82 right Ow and still find that I need to be t it and I enjoy doing it," he said. "I have good contact with my ustomers and I enjoy meeting the ggies and the young men that me in here. "I had an illness that caused Mme back trouble about a year and half ago and had to go into the Ispital and have an operation that pt me away from the shop for out six or eight weeks. Some Ys representing Aggie groups me m visit me. A group of boot Jeers came to visit me and you xtld see the get -well card they it me. It was a life -size pin -up I scarcely clad that they had all :ribed." The Holicks also pursue several hobbies. Dorothy collects dolls and has six pets -- two dogs, two cats, a turtle and a Cardinal. "We have always had lot of pets. I found the bird as a baby in the street and didn't have any recourse but to take it home. Dorothy has always taken well to animals and she raised the bird. It's been with us about 10 years now," Johnnie said. Dorothy has also made stuffed ani- mals out of leather and done some drawing. "I just started reading up on dolls and going to shows and sales and things about dolls and they just multiplied," Dorothy laughed. "But, I don't collect them any more. I ran out of places to keep them." Besides being a musician, John- nie did some hunting. After a while he began to have mixed feelings about the sport, so he took up skeet shooting. "I went to some world skeet shoots in San Antonio about five or six times and brought home some trophies," he said. Johnnie plans to travel to San Antonio or Houston after he recovers further from his illness to do more skeet shooting. Although the Holicks enjoy their pets and hobbies, they love the business the most. "I am really proud of the boot making business," Johnnie said. 'I have trained many people in it who have in turn trained other people, and I have worked hard. I hope that the business will continue after 1, am gone." Senior cadets stand tall "� � , , in leather- crafted boots. By Michael Kelley Of The Battalion Staff The pride and joy of seniors in the Corps of Cadets is their senior boots. These English -style riding boots are more than expensive leather; they symbolize the rank of cadet officer achieved after three years of hard work and dedication to the Corps and to Texas A &M. Boots became part of the Corps uniform in 1915 when they were adopted from the style of uniform worn by U.S. Army officers in World War I. These were, for the most part, leggings that were laced above the shoes, or were work boots used for cavalry or artillery practice on horseback. The style of cavalry boots worn to- day by cadets became an official part of the senior uniform in 1925. Aggie boots are unique because the barrels are not soft, like most rid- ing boots, but are made of stif f leather, allowing them to be shine d easily. The first pair of Aggie senio r boots were made by Jack Alesci i n 1921 at Randolph Army Air Field i San Antonio. In 1926, Lucchese's, also in Sa Antonio, followed suit. Aggie bootmaking in 1931 when Johnni e making senior boots at his father's shop in College Station. Holick's today, as it was then, is lo- cated at Northgate. Before World War 11, Holick produced between 500 and 850 pairs of boots per year. Today the shop makes about 200 pairs annually. Victor's 11 Just Boots in Bryan is another local boot shop and has been selling Aggie senior boots since 1970. Victor's orders its boots from Delmer's of Omaha, Neb. The only two other present -day Aggie bootmakers are located in Houston. Model Boot Company, owned by Joe Cecala of Houston, has made senior boots since 1945. RJ's Boot Company, owned and op- erated by Rocky Carroll, also of Houston, is not only known for mak- ing Agggie boots but also has gained nauonal fame for producing cowboy boots for U.S. presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush. Senior boots cost between $395 and $500 per pair and take an aver - age of 22 hours to produce. They come in four different colors, but the 'Tan Imported French Calf is the most popular choice. n Senior cadets wear their boots for the first time at Final Review, a cere- mony in which they become the new Sa leaders of the Corps. Boot Dance is held the same night niors can celebrate their started locally so the se Holick began new status. �// V `r /)I F �� a cm`s rl Um it VP,R �2 L , � �12� U l � s a �� T A �� ,� :s6 Ethelena S. Zubik June 1, 1927 — Feb. 14, 1998 Services for Ethelina S. Zubik, 70, of Bryan are set for 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Rev. John McCaffrey will offici- ate. Burial is in Monsignor Gleissner Mausoleum. ZUBIK Visitation is from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday and from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Memorial Funeral Chapel. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Mrs. Zubik died Saturday evening at St. Joseph Regional Health Center. She was born in Brazos County and was a lifelong resident. Mrs. Zubik was an executive secretary of the Federal Farm Service Agency of the U.S.D.A. She was an active mem- ber of St. Joseph Catholic Church, t where she was a member of the Aged Managers Association. Mrs. Zubik was also a member of the V - Brazos Genealogical Association. Survivors include her husband, Frank A. Zubik of Bryan; and two sis- ters, Mary Bush and Josephine Varisco, both of Bryan. 46'eLt ) C, � P Monday, May 18, 1998 The Bryan - College Station Eagle Page A3 Billie Madeley Dec. 7, 1912 — May 16, 1998 Services for Billie Madeley, 85, of ryan are set for 11 a.m. Tuesday at A &M United Methodist Church. The Rev. Guy Pry will officiate. Burial is in College Station Cemetery. Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Callaway -Jones Funeral Home. Mrs. Madeley died Saturday afternoon in College Station Medical Center. She was born in Waynesboro, Tenn., and lived in Bryan for 58 years. Mrs. Madeley was an organiz- ing board member of the A &M Arts and Entertainments Society (now OPAS), a former member of the College Station Study Club, the Woman's Club of Bryan, the Junior League, and Friends of the Library. She was a beausiant in the Knights Templar for Women, an accredited national flower show judge for 10 years, and a former member of the A &M Garden Club. Mrs. Madeley was a member of A &M United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. Survivors include her husband, G. Edward Madeley of Bryan; and two Goddaughters, Sharon Menn of College Station and Sondra Weaver of York, Maine. Memorials may be made to A &M Methodist Church or the Bryan Library. Ea 6 7cf6IDA, L Avrt 2 wrw 4 LT - r c 11ECEIVED JUL 2 7 - mot We hope you can attend and please feel free to bring an interested family member or friend with you to share this day on Wednesday, July 27th. Just to jog your memory these are some of the questions the Historic Preservation Committee is interested in from the 1920 - 1950 period of time. 1. What kind of business did your family operate in the North Gate area and how did you come to locate in this area? �crea.�' 2. What was the name of the street your business was on and when you looked down the street what did Jou see ? >az��e�`J '6�o�`�r.c j aka a. At O Vex -;pl 3. Describe a "good" work day. J 4. Who were bome of the other people who were active in business in North Gate when you were? J 5. What do you have in the way of memorabilia, historic photos, old drawings, photos inside or outside your building, maps, etc. and would you be willing to share any of these with the city history project. (Copies can be made and originals will be return unhar ) , Please list: c�_� lev� Cl S m ✓ G� � Gam/ G��/L� ..�'� ��J %��G�u' -J C�� z. ��� Cry ���'G. � .