Time for another photo of downtown Searcy Arkansas. The First Methodist Church has stood at the end of Arch Stree on Main Street for so many years. It is shown here on an old post card that was sold at Snowden's, a 5 & 10 store that has been closed for a long time.
The church, of course, has continued to grow and stretches out over about one and one/half blocks now. These two pictures just show what is seen from Arch as you drive toward it. It has always been a lovely old building.
Searcy Arkansas has one of the oldest theaters in Arkansas. It was built in approximately 1923 and still flashes its Neon sign as busy Race Street passes within a few feet of its ticket window.
The theater building is owned by the city of Searcy as it was donated to the city by a prominent family several years ago. It is now operated by a gentleman who gets to rent it free because he paid about $75,000 of his own funds to renovate the Rialto.
It's a win-win situation because the building is not sitting vacant. Victor Weber runs the theater and charges much less for tickets than the newer Cinema 8 charges. Example is a ticket for $2 and possibly free popcorn. Mr. Weber seems to have the theater in his blood and has been in the theater business since 1954.
Personally I love having the old theater active. Memories go back to occasionally going there with my children and watching the huge reels of film as the movie was shown. But mostly we could drop the kids off and pick them up after the movie was over. We didn't worry then about child molesters and kidnappings as parents do now.
My daughter was able to get her first job working there selling behind the concession stand. The lady who patrolled the aisles trying to keep the kids in line was dreaded and feared by everyone. She had a permanent scowl that even scared us parents. Imagine my surprise when I met her later when she didn't work there and she was a lovely person who actually smiled!
Here's hoping our Rialto will be around forever!
What a treat to put up this old picture. These two ladies worked at a bank in Searcy Arkansas and there was a contest to name the bank. Reportedly the one on the right won the contest with the name Security Bank. This lady also is the mother of Anita, who comments on my blogs and gives us additional information about our city.
First Security Bank, as it is now named, stretches out over the whole city block but they are restoring this 
old building to resemble the way it was originally. I love this picture and it was sent to me by Don and Paula. So look at this old picture, probably from the 40's, and compare it to the way it is being restored.
And, ladies only, look at the legs. The legs appear to be housed in cotton stockings. They probably sagged and that's why the ladies fell heart and soul in love with nylon hose when they came along!
I blogged a few weeks ago about the vicious tornado that killed so many people in Judsonia Arkansas and left fear in the hearts of all survivors. I had to go to Judsonia this week and because of blogging interest decided to drive by and see the mansion that survived the tornado. I'm posting the picture of that mansion and again posting the picture that shows it after the tornado. The tornado was in 1952.
It had quite a few flaws but it still looks pretty grand, doesn't it.
Comparing the old with the new in Searcy AR, White County, is interesting. Here's another shot of yesteryear vs. today.
In the old photo, the old Security Bank is on the left and the building in the background is Lee Biggs old office building. It still is, as a matter-of-fact. But the upstairs has changed. It has become private living quarters for a Searcy couple who also has a home in Little Rock and Aspen and no telling where else!
Living upstairs in downtown Searcy may become very fashionable as more of the old buildings are renovated.
 |
|
|
By constantly working in the real estate market in Searcy AR and White County for over 27 years, I have become known as one of the most professional and knowledgeable brokers in the city and county.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
