There are a couple of common expressions heard while researching a community’s history: “That’s a walk down memory lane” or “I haven’t heard about that person (or place) in years”. Reading through both the 1950-51 and 1960 Charleston City Directories affords the opportunities for remembering people, places and fond stories about them. These directories were printed by the Nelson’s Printing Company and one unique feature is the listing of each resident or location by street. For example, Savannah Highway has a listing for the “left side” and the “right side” of the highway.
Thus walking down memory lane and remembering becomes as easy as opening the directory. The first establishment listed in the 1950-51 directory on the right side, as you cross the Ashley River Bridge, is The County Store, next are Clarke’s Ice House, Eden’s Food Store (this building now houses Elizabeth Stuart Design), Vann’s War Supplies & Salvage Co, St. Andrew’s Garage and Glover’s Esso Station. Then comes the original Bootle’s Barbecue, a place that is mentioned by everyone and could fill a book with memories, stories of fond times and great food. Who remembers the Golden Acorn, a gift shop located on the right side of Savannah Highway in 1950? It was a lone building in the middle of the large property that is now Moreland Shopping Center.
Listings for private residences, guest homes, and two churches follow until you reach the Avondale area. Deluxe Cleaners, Hudson’s Barber Shop (another establishment rich with stories-anyone have a photo?), West Charleston Corporation, Ashley Flower Shop, Gene Phillips Esso Station (the man behind Gene’s Haufbrau), Dairy Royal (otherwise known as Roy Hart’s – the stories from here could fill volumes), Jack’s Motor Court, Azalea Guest Home, Peacock Gulf Service Station, Captain Baitary’s Seven Seas Restaurant, Lancer’s Grocery Store and we exit the Avondale business area.
The walk down memory lane continues south on Savannah Highway with 20 or so private residences listings, the Lynwood Tourist Home, Green Acres Tourist Home, Postell Service Station and Oak Forest Motor Court. Next we arrive at The Cavallaro, listed as a nightclub, and famous for great steaks courtesy of Marcus Bloom, live music, and a swinging time. New Year’s parties, prom dinners and wedding anniversaries are just some of the occasions celebrated at The Cavallaro. Another West Ashley establishment with history photos and stories etched into the mortar.
The Magnolia Theatre and the Old Town Motor Court and Coffee shop are next on the register. This stretch was a hopping spot for fun. More private residences, Kitty’s Esso Service and Trailer Park, Coastal Builders Supply, Co., Brown’s Alteration Shop and Blount’s Drug Store. Whaley’s Service Station sat on the corner of Wappoo Road and Savannah Highway. Miley’s Electric Repair Service, Tupelo Service Station and Trailer Court, Tillery’s St. Andrew’s Florist and final the listing Wayne Motor Court and Coffee Shop.
Crossing the highway to the left side at this point and heading back North we pass more residences, Capital Restaurant, Farmer’s Market, Capital Esso Service, Charleston County Market and Corbett Package Co. Once again we are at the corner of Wappoo Road and Savannah Highway.  DuPont’s Grocery, DuPont Esso Service, Piggy Wiggly, Leopard Service Station, Pine Villa Guests, Lord Ashley Motor Court, Arthur Ravenel, Jr.’s Construction and Farmfield Farm Meat are mixed with private homes. We have arrived back in the greater Avondale area when we reach the Ashley River Baptist Church.  The Exchange Club of St. Andrew’s Parish, Coburg Dairy, Roy Hart’s Drive In (yes he was on both sides of the highway!), Jimmy Leopard’s Amoco Service Station, Two Brothers Lounge, Byrnes Downs Self Service Laundry and Portaro’s Spaghetti House bring us to the corner of Daniel Street and the highway. B. Rivers Carroll’s real estate office sat on the north corner. Rodenberg’s Grocery, West Ashley Drug Store, Hood Electric, Hamilton’s Jewelers, Greene & Colclough, Co., Charleston Production Credit Association, Harris Beauty Shop, Barfield’s Shoe Repair, Dixie Dry Cleaners, Byrnes Downs Restaurant, Seigel’s Hardware, Nat Peeples Real Estate, Parmac Electric, Co. Lyerly’s Barber Shop, St. Andrew’s Drug Store, Lyerly’s Cleaners and Hewitt Pure Oil are the establishments that fronted the neighborhood of Byrnes Downs. The homes of Byrnes Downs and Windermere are the next listings until we come to Oak Villa Guest Home, Boyd’s Tourist Home, McCay’s Guest Home, Vagabond Guest Home, Sires Guest Home and Wilmar Guest House. Cross over Wesley Drive and we are at Bootle’s Guest Home. Two more establishments: Kinsey Service Station and St. Andrew’s Public Service District Commission bring us back to the Ashley River and end the 1950-51 walk down memory alone.
Fast forward to 1960 and the listings are more numerous and the following are a few highlights: the Greenbax Stamp redemption center now occupies the building that was Eden’s; Bootle’s Drive-in has moved south on Hwy 17 to the other side of the highway roughly across from The Cavallaro; the Holly House is opened with a new crop of stories flowing out the door; Howard Johnson’s is now serving 28 flavors; A Pitch and Putt miniature golf has opened; the entrances to subdivisions are now being noted; on the left side, SCE&G has a transmitter station near the bridge; Gene’s has an address and phone number; the shops of the new St. Andrew’s Center are listed; Triangle Lanes is opened for bowling; and past the Charleston Motor Court is the Oak Lane Grocery and Trailer Park.
If you know anything about the history of these establishments or have photographs, email Donna at westashleybook@gmail.com. 

Pin It on Pinterest