Work Crew beside Whiting's Drug Store - early 1900's

Another picture I scanned while visiting the Hammond House this past September.  There were no notes with the picture, appears to be a work crew on there way to a job site.  The picture was taken on Hammond Street beside Whiting's Drug Store.

Strand Theater - 1940's & 1950's

This posting, contains several pictures of  the Strand Theater.  The above picture was sent to me by my brother Marty, and is believed to have been taken around 1942.  The front of the theater shows the two entrances, the box office, and two placards each listing two upcoming movies.

Picture of the Strand Theater between Whitings Drug Store and Warden's Feed Store.  Would estimate the picture to be taken around 1950.  The building has been the home to many businesses over the years.  The theater closed around 1960 and McLauglin Pharmacy who purchase Whiting's Drug Store next door to the theater moved their business into the old theater building about 1961.  The building now is the home to Miller's Pharmacy.

The two pictures above of the Strand Theater were sent to me by my brother Marty.  The one on the left was taken showing a canopy over the entrance, a ticket booth, the two entrances, and two placards showing upcoming movies.  The picture on the right is the front of the theater without the ticket booth.  Sale of tickets was moved inside to the snack bar.  The front of the building that had been recessed for the ticket booth, is now flush with the buildings on either side.  During this remodeling, a used marque was purchased and hung on the front of the building to advertise the current movie being played.  In Marty's comment accompanying the pictures, he noted that he thought the marque was purchased from a Strand theater in Monroe, Michigan that was remodeling or closing.  Guessing the remodeling of the theater was done in the early 1950's.

As a youngster I can remember my parents dropping me off at the theater to watch a double feature, while they went to the Broadway Bar a couple doors down.  I believe for 50 cents, you could see the movie, and get a coke, and popcorn.

The movie listed on the marque was Alan Ladd staring in "Thunder in the East".  Looked up the movie on Wikiphedia ...the bio listed is as follows:  The film is set in 1947 after India has gained its independence from Britain. Steve Gibbs (Alan Ladd), an American arms dealer, flies into a small Indian state intending to sell weapons to a local maharajah whose capital is facing an attack from a bandit army. He is opposed by the maharajah's prime minister (Charles Boyer), who is a proponent of Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence. He also falls in love with a blind girl (Deborah Kerr).  Was released on February 3, 1953 in New York City.  So would put the date of the picture above as being after that date.

Eastside of Broadway, c 1950 - #1

The postcard is looking south at the eastside of Broadway, about 1950. Stores fronts identified and from my memory in the picture are: Atlantic & Pacific, Dancer's Department Store, Swan's Market, Fabiano's Home Made Ice Cream, Leonards, Whiting's Drug Store, and the Strand Theater.

Eastside of Broadway, c 1950 - #2

The postcard is looking north at the eastside of Broadway, about 1950. Stores fronts identified and from my memory in the picture are: Atlantic & Pacific, Dancer's Department Store, Swan's Market, Fabiano's Home Made Ice Cream, Leonards, Whiting's Drug Store, and the Strand Theater.

Whiting & Son Pharmacy - 1911

The picture above is from a postcard with a 1911 postmark. The building is part of the Watkins-Maxon Block that was located at the northeast corner of Broadway and Hammond Street.

Interior of Whiting Pharmacy (from Peerless Union City - 1903)

Note - Regarding the "Whiting & Son Pharmacy" ...(from the publication titled "Historical Industrial and Social Record of Peerless Union City Michigan" edited, compiled, and published by Tom F. Robinson in March 1903), EARLY HISTORY OF UNION CITY, reads: ....WHITING & SON'S PHARMACY - Which is located in a com­modious and handsome store in the Watkins-Maxon block, is one of Union City's most attractive trading places, and one to which citizens point with just pride. It has long been termed the finest drug­store in Branch County, an appellation which is certain­ly deserves, for its appoint­ments are perfect. The store was established in 1895, but the proprietors have been known to the public of this vicinity for many years. The senior member of the firm, Geo. K. Whiting, has been engaged in the drug business in this city for thirty-five years, and he is well and favorably known to every man, woman, and child within a radius of many miles. For fifteen years he was manager of the pioneer Ewers drugstore, resigning his position there to embark in business for himself. Mr. Whiting was born in Marshall and came to this city when a boy, this place ever since having been his home. His extended experience in the drug line has given him an in­sight into the business which is appreciated by the trading public, and the confidence thus inspired is a leading cause for the large trade enjoyed here. Mr. Whiting's popularity has led to his being called upon on numerous occasions to fill positions of trust and responsibility. He has been township and village treasurer for a number of terms, village president for three terms, and has also filled numerous offices of minor importance. Fraternally, he is a Mason and a Maccabee. He has also been manager of the Union City Opera House, which is conducted in a highly satisfactory manner. Frank H. Whiting, the junior member of the firm, is a graduate of the pharmaceutical de­partment of the University of Michigan, and has made a care­ful study of the recent notable advancement in his chosen line. He is affiliated with the Masonic and Maccabee fraternities, and is at present filling the office of village treasurer, to which he was elected last spring.

Eastside of Broadway -1931

Watkins-Maxon Block