Ironton Sililoquy

Changes Galore & This Date

July 13, 1966

Written by Charles Collett

Submitted by: Robert Kingrey

The newest keyhole attraction on Third Street is the Citizens National Bank where the building, erected in 1915, is undergoing its fourth major change and renovation. The original building had two large rooms on the ground floor. The Paris Store with the late August Hoerner as proprietor occupied one. The bank lobby floor was three steps above the sidewalk, which was the high water line of the 1913 flood level.

The stairway to the second floor was just within the main entrance from the sidewalk. That was al changed a few years ago when the floor was lowered in the main banking room to sidewalk level, and the room enlarged to cover the entire first floor.

The third major change was an addition to extend the rear of the building with a back door entrance to the lobby on the alley and new offices for the directors, president and customer consulting. Now the changes include an elevator to banking offices on the second floor. We and perhaps many other old-timers wonder what the late Charley Lintner, Billy Lewis and Dustin McKnight, the top brass at the bank for many years, would say if they knew about the changes, which include the drive-in windows on Park Avenue.

Is 13 an unlucky day? It is said to be if it falls o Friday. Speaking of unlucky, look at those 13 stars in Old Glory. Today gives us opportunity to recall several old friends. A young man from Chillicothe, Ohio, opened a new shoe store on Friday the 13^th of July 1923, on Center Street. The name Von remains in the title at the entrance where Harry VonKennel conducted a successful business. He was second only to such enthused leaders as Sheriff Bernard Monte, Sgt. Dennis Sullivan, Dr. George G. Hunter and Homer Edwards, Sr. in leadership of the old Frank J. Goldcamp Post, American Legion.

Those and other names of the boys of 1917, include John Staikos, James B. Hunter, the drum major.

The legion was first in flood relief, first during the depression to fed hungry school children, and provides them with shoes. First to furnish the city with free marching music for parades. The legion was the prime organizer to build the football stadium. Our hat will always be off to name old Frank Goldcamp Post, American Legion.