 |
| Viewer Submissions |
| These two photos were taken downtown in 1954 by Cecil Clanahan. The upper photo clearly shows the "fishing man" on the 303 Sporting Goods Store, as well as the sign for Western Auto. Notice that the car on the right is facing north, indicating that Main Street was 2-way as late as 1954. The license plate on the car expires Feb. 55. |
 |
 |
 |
| The light stripe through this photo is because of the timed exposure of headlights. The movie playing at the Rodgers was "The Last Time I Saw Paris.". |
| First Baptist Church at the Corner of 6th & Vine ************************* |
| The old Bell Telephone *******************************Building |
| Sacred Heart Catholic **********************Church |
| Rodgers Theater **************spire |
| Court House ********************* |
| | | Vine Street |
| ********************Old Criterion Theater |
| The two overlapping photos, above right, were sent to us by Poplar Bluff resident historian, Charles F. Together, they show a 1949 view of the town, looking west down Vine Street and Pine Street, from the railroad tracks near the Vine Street bridge, all the way to Sacred Heart Church in the curve on Pine Street. The First Baptist Church sat in the southwest corner of 6th and Vine. The old High School (later to become the first home of TRCC) as well as the old Jr. High School are clearly visible between 5th and 6th Streets. Thank you, Charles, for these awesome photos!!! |
| | | Pine Street |
| Here are 2 more photos from Charles F. Above left, is the Crow Tire Company at the corner of 11th and Pine, where the Commerce Bank is located now. At the right is the original Butler County courthouse. This photo came from an 1800's newspaper. |
 |
 |
 |
| This photo is an A.P. photo of Kenneth Link and Capt. O.L. Wallis of the Missouri State Highway Patrol questioning accused killer Douglas Wayne Thompson in March, 1961. Thompson, who was later convicted of murder, was captured at the home of Mr. & Mrs. J. Carl Clanahan (my grandparents) on Highway W. The Thompson crime spree, which had gathered national attention, ended with the hostage situation at the Clanahan house. After Grandma pursuaded Mr. Thompson to surrender to authorities, her picture appeared that night on the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. In the photo here, the band-aid on Thompson's nose was put there by my grandma. Kenneth Link later became sheriff of Butler County. According to correspondence we have received from the son of Capt. Wallis, he died in 1982. |
 |
| This photo of the old High School (right) and Jr. High (left) was taken around 1956 from the Montgomery Ward Store (later known as Anderson's Furniture). This photo was submitted by Don R. of Poplar Bluff, and is the latest photograph we have of the old Jr. High building. Don can point out the cars parked along Vine Street, and tell you who owned some of them. Thanks, Don, for your photo and for all your encouragement with our PB History Photos website. |