Uptown Chester Culture

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the many taverns that once existed in Chester. That kind of got me thinking about some of the earlier history around town. Again, let me say, I'm not the best historian for Chester, but I like learning as much as possible about how it "once was" up and down our city streets.....even perhaps before the streets were paved. I've often said to my husband, "I'd like
to have the ability to see it the way it was for one day." Short of that, I have to use my imagination.

I spoke in my earlier column of Wittenbrink's Tavern which sat where our gazebo park now sits. Let's take it back a bit. Early history tells us that for many years prior to 1937 the Wiebusch Saloon stood there at 995 State Street. It was a two story building. In the early days of the Wiebusch Saloon, there was an adjoining home on the west side, toward the back of the property. This allowed for a lovely, large front yard. In 1937 Oscar Wittenbrink purchased the tavern from Louis Boettcher. Mr. Wittenbrink remodeled the second story of the tavern with a large apartment in the front for his family and others toward the rear for rentals. He then removed the house and in that space, he built a store building that later became the Ben Franklin Store. It was first operated under the management of M.J. Boettcher who only had it a short while. During the 1950s the Ben Franklin Store was owned and operated by Tony Lassiter. I so clearly remember that store and all the treasures it had to offer. I remember being fascinated by the tiny little red children's chairs that sat here and there in the aisles of the store. And, unfortunately for my mother, I used to love buying her the little $1.00 bottles of Evening In Paris cologne. She always said thank you, but I'm sure she didn't appreciate the scent. Later, as a Ben Franklin Store, the business was owned by the McDonald family. Ultimately it housed Hall's Discount Store and finally Turkey Two Crafts and Gifts.

Oscar Wittenbrink operated Wittenbrink's Tavern for many years. After his death, H.A. (Howard)
Boxdorfer, Oscar's son-in-law, took over management for a while, before he began subletting the
business. Milton Wittenborn operated the business for a while and later it became R. & R. Tavern. The tavern was finally called Wilson's 3-Way Stop. There was a fire in the building in 1987 and it was completely torn down in 1990. The city established the gazebo park at the location in 1992.

Next door to the gazebo park is the building now housing Spinach Can Collectibles & Museum. During the early 1900s the Chester Opera House was located on the second floor of the building. There was a double stairway entrance to the theatre which was in the back of the building. The opera house was one of the popular centers of cultural entertainment and pleasure for the people of Chester and the surrounding area. There were extravaganzas by local drama clubs, stock companies of  high repute, many of them coming to Chester for a week's stand. There were concerts by one of the three Schuchert bands, local parties by written invitation only, many home talent programs, dancing for the public and by local dance clubs, a skating rink, silent movies, then the talking pictures. A few years ago I acquired a small paper program from Friday evening, March 15, 1918, for the presentation of "A Little Savage" by the Juniors of Chester High School. Music was by Fritze's Orchestra. Settings for the play were provided by Herman Schroeder Furniture and Undertaking. Hats for the performers were supplied by the Smith Sisters. Among the performers in the presentation were Lilburn Perry, Glenn Douglas, George Heuer, Briggs Howorth, Dorothy Herschbach, Vesta Mudd, Fay Divers and Kathryn Thomas. Are any of these names familiar to my readers?

The interior of the opera house theatre was very elegant with a large stage equipped with a drop curtain, stage scenery and plenty of dressing rooms behind. A piano sat off-stage. Chairs were used
for the audience and the seating capacity was about 350! Two large stoves in the front corners heated the theatre. The stairway came up in the center of the floor with a closed railing around three sides,
while in the back of the hall was a most gracefully curved balcony which extended forward on both
sides.

John F. Schuchert built the elegant opera house in 1875 and was the proprietor and projector operator. His son, John William (Windy Bill) Schuchert, grew up in the business and became owner and operator. He was said to be a jolly man, a good host at all times. He reportedly always had a tale to tell and so became known as Windy Bill. One of his most popular traits was his love for hamburgers. These were usually bought at the Wiebusch Saloon next door to the opera house. Many years later, Elzie Segar would immortalize Windy Bill as the character Wimpy in his Popeye cartoon series. Elzie Segar sometimes operated the projector in the opera house and did a variety of other jobs there, as well. In his spare time, he enjoyed creating cartoons, which lead to his very successful, though short career. At various times the right side of the first floor of the opera house building housed the Sigmund Aszmann Grocery Store, Aszmann Shoe Store, Harris' Midway Restaurant, Schuren's Shoes, Mode O' Day Dress Shop and Forget Me Not Florist. Businesses on the left side of the first floor have included Heitman Drugstore, Gleich's Drugstore, Fleming Electric and the Chic Shoppe.

If you have no knowledge of Chester or have no connection to its history, these little bits of information probably will mean little to you. But if you do have a connection or have an affinity for this small river town, then perhaps these bits and pieces will speak to you. And if that is the case,
imagine, if you will, how it once was, how this little bluff community once looked and lived and breathed, how its people lived their lives. Obviously it fascinates me. I hope it peaks your interest too.
Next week we'll talk about different areas of Chester that you may or may not recognize by the names
that they were called.

The sun is down and there's a breeze in the air. You know where I'll be. Care to join me on the porch?
Coffee and conversation are free.