Walking With Memories
Part II

THE POST-SIGNAL / Harold Gonzales
Longtime Crowley resident Malcolm “Mac” Millet got his inspiration while walking down Parkerson Avenue and recalling the history of the various businesses.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was written by Malcolm “Mac” Millet, based on memories from his pre-teen to early teenage years. Millet finishes up a two part series on the history of buildings along Parkerson Avenue. This is the second in a series of two.)

   We continue our journey along Parkerson Avenue now by traveling north from the railroad tracks on the east side of the street.
   The first hotel in Crowley was the Crowley House. It was located at the corner of Parkerson and First Street. It was a gathering place for businessmen who had come to Crowley in search of new ventures.
   The railroad was an important thing in those days, bringing people in and out of Crowley along with commodities to the merchants. One of the items that came by train from New Orleans was fresh seafood. The merchant who ordered the seafood would meet the train then load his hand pulled cart and pull it down the street barking, “Fresh-a-fish, fish alive, just arrived on Number 5.” It was just a little ditty to attract customers to his wares.
   As stated earlier, the only building presently on the first block facing Parkerson is the First National Bank. Half of this area is a parking lot and drive in service. In earlier days there was the Crowley House at the far south end of the block then a café, a dry cleaners, Duncan Photography Studio and after World War II Glady Trahan opened up his printing business. The big business in this block, besides the bank, was Kellers Café. Mr. Rudolf “Santa Claus” Keller operated the café. He was nicknamed Santa because he was always assumed this role for the Christmas Parade. The café was a large eating establishment and was open 24 hours. It was a known fact that if you needed the police in Crowley after 5:30 p.m. you could find them at Keller’s Café. Before 5:30 p.m. Kober’s News Stand was their gathering place.
   In front of Keller’s Café was a large gazebo. I think it was every Tuesday night, the Crowley City Band played music for several hours. One of our neighbors, Mr. Earl Faulk played a trombone in the band. Their uniforms were blue and white.
As we cross Second Street (U.S. 90) we come to the new Crowley Building and Loan Building. If you recall, this business was previously located at the corner of Third Street and Parkerson, in the old Bank of Acadia building. They bought the old Bank of Commerce building then torn it down and the new Crowley Building and Loan was built.
   The Bank of Commerce had bought Green’s Hardware at the corner of 4th Street and Avenue G and renovated the building. This became part of the new Bank of Commerce building constructed at the corner of 3rd and Avenue G. Just north of the bank was the American Department Store. Apparently this department store property was also bought at the same time by the bank to build the new Building and Loan.
   Still walking north we stop at the building that is a duplex type. The southside of the building is presently occupied by the Sewing Center. Several years ago it was one of the largest independent magazine and book distribution firms in the south. They covered most of the state and offered just about anything you wanted to read. New York Times, Wall Street Journal and many other major newspapers along with The Crowley Daily Signal. Lucille Toler Kloor was the owner and manager of this business known as Toler’s News.
   The north side of the building housed M&S Electric and was owned by Leo Miller and J.D. Miller. Later on a billiards parlor was added along with a lunch counter.
Taking a few steps to the north of the Toler-Miller Building, you come across two store fronts. If I am correct, the first housed The Crowley Daily Signal prior to their move to Dr. Breaux’s Building and the second was The Men’s Shop. It was an exclusive men’s clothing store and was owned by Mr Sam. (I don’t know his last name). The manager was Clyde Clements who later bought the store. Joe Guidry was a longtime employee.
   The next building was the office of Central Louisiana Electric Co. (CLECO). Mr. Coley Prudhomme was the manager of the Crowley office. Prior to CLECO, the electricity and water business in Crowley had been managed by Gulf Public Service out of New Iberia. Mr. Theo Morrow was the manager for GPS at that time. He was the father of Topot and Tony Morrow of Crowley.
   The store at the corner of Parkerson and 3rd Street was occupied by Goodyear Tire. If I remember, it also housed A&P Food Store. A&P later moved to a store that was on West 3rd between the Welcome Bar and Rice Café. Mr. Hix White was the A&P manager for a number of years. Goodyear made several moves over the years. First to 2nd Street and then to where Manuel Tire is located on North Parkerson.
   We now cross 3rd Street and on the next corner was Beau’s Men’s Wear. Until recently the store was operated and owned by Beau Greenwald. Prior to being Beau’s, it was the home to Wager’s Pharmacy, owned and operated by Oliver Wager. When he moved his operation further north, Emile Joseph opened his men’s clothing store here. When Joseph built his new store and moved, Beau’s moved into the corner store.
   Our attention is next turned to the Egan Hotel that was operated by Albert Peck and his wife Annie. As a hotel it did not have a restaurant or a lounge that could call its own. But they did have the best nearby thanks to Clarence DeRouselle who opened his restaurant next door. I’m told even room service was available. This Hotel/Restaurant set-up became known to travelers, far and wide and the food service was the best between New Orleans and Houston. On the other side of the hotel, Herbert Sudwischer of Crowley, built one of the finest lounges you could frequent. All the furniture, including the booths and bar were constructed of knotted pine-made by Mr. Sudwischer.   All of the walls were knotted pine. So, it is obvious that the big winner in the set up was the Egan Hotel. In addition to the restaurant and lounge, there was a barber shop that was owned by Mr. Elmo Orgeron’s father.
  Anything you could find at a big city hotel you could find at the Egan Hotel right here in Crowley. Plus, you had “Big Man” to handle your luggage.
  After leaving the hotel area you could find Emma and Elsie’s. It was a children’s shop owned and operated by Emma White and Elsie Core.
  Still walking north on Parkerson we come to Teacher’s Pet and Office Supply. Most older people still call it Rolloson’s since it was that stationary store for so many years. Prior to Rolloson’s the store was operated as “Capital Food Store.” This was a chain store that later became part of National Food Store.
   Next you come to the legal offices of Jack Nickel and Burleigh Doga. This building served for many years as the offices of United Gas.
  Radio station KSIG is the next building in this block. KSIG was first in the Breaux Building on 1st and Parkerson somewhere in the late 40s or early 50s. I’m not sure what might have been in this building prior to KSIG moving in. But who can forget listening to Shel Kanter and Bill Williams every morning!
   Next is Edith’s Jewelry Store. As far back as I remember this building has housed a jewelry store. The first was Hollins Jewelry and then it was Faulk’s Jewelry owned by Lottie Faulk.
The last building on this block is Bill Hoffpauer Realty. This was once an Esso Service Station owned and operated by W.J. Butaud. Esso became part of the Exxon Corporation many years ago.
We cross the street and find two new buildings. One is facing south and the other west. Both buildings are owned by Kim Hayes. The one facing south houses Kim’s legal practice while the one facing west is leased by the Land Bank. Prior to Mr. Hayes new buildings there were other buildings. The first was “The Creamery” where you could get the largest double dip ice cream cone for a nickel. This was back in the 30s. The Creamery later moved to the corner of Avenue F and 3rd Street. It was followed at 4th and Parkerson by a furniture store and several other businesses. The last business was Blessen Garage owned and operated by Johnny Blessen, my uncle. The garage became the headquarters for what Red Mitchell called, “The Sit Still Club.” This club consisted of many retired electricians, bankers, school principals, firemen, etc. Before moving to Parkerson, Uncle Johnny was at 3rd Street and Avenue G, but he gave it up when the government bought the property for the new Post Office.
   Passing by Kim’s office you get to what was J.W. Miles and Sons Electrical and Plumbing Service. Going a little farther you find Dominic’s Fish and Vegetable Stand. He also had an oyster bar and a lunch counter. I remember him winning a new Chevrolet at a Crowley Miller baseball game. He didn’t have a driver’s license and I don’t believe he ever got one, eventually selling his car. He later sold his business to another of my uncles, Bevo Bier, who built a pharmacy on the property. Bier retired and sold his pharmacy to John Monteith who is the present owner.
Next to the drug store is the building made famous by Joe and Sarah Scalco and their famous hamburgers. I recall when my older brother Warren and my uncle Wayne Bier returned from fighting the war they couldn’t wait to go to Joe’s Café for a couple of burgers and a beer. Joe and Sarah retired and sold their business many years ago.
   Further down the block is the building where Frank Marx conducted his shoe repair business. It was a business that came in handy during World War II when there was shoe rationing. You were issued a ration stamp and could only purchase shoes with a stamp when it was due.
Still working north we come to a fenced garden area. This is where Paul Marx had his tailor shop and his cleaning and pressing business. He was a very short man and always wore a suit to work. He always had a tape measure over his shoulders. You could walk into the shop, get measured for a suit or coat, pick the material and your order would be on its way to completion.
At the end of the block we come to a building that I believe was built by Edwin Edwards after he came to Crowley and opened his legal office. Prior to becoming Edwards’ office, there were several buildings on the property. One was Sam’s Café. If I recall, Sam had a café in the Opera House but was forced to move when the new owners put a hardware and implement store in the building. The other building was a bowling alley and a billiard parlor that was owned by Teddy Walker.
   In the last block before the courthouse the first building is Carroll’s Furniture, operated by Carroll Trahan. Also in this building is Brandt’s Jewelry and Gifts operated by Dave Antis. Carroll’s Furniture was previously owned by Jake Brandt who took an active part in its operation. Prior to that the building was a hardware store called Thompson and Rebiers. They sold just about anything in the hardware line. I can remember seeing horse saddles and all the necessary items for hitching horses and mules to wagons. I also remember that one of the employees there was “Grandpaw Henry Blessen,” Johnny Blessen’s father. He was First Assistant Fire Chief for the Crowley Volunteer Firemen and when the fire whistle blew he rushed out the door throwing off his working apron. The customers he was waiting on had to fend for themselves. Years later his son Johnny became First Assistant Fire Chief.
   Next is Pete Richard’s old jewelry shop with the old Palace Barber Shop next door. Mr. Joe Armentor had a small coffee shop in the building on the corner. In earlier years this building served as the City Hall. When the present courthouse was being constructed many of the parish offices moved into this building.
  The second floor of the building served as the National Guard Armory for a number of years. In 1940 when the National Guard was Federalized, Co. 1, 156th Infantry left from this armory thinking they would be gone for one year. They returned in 1945, five years later.
Well, this completes our trek down Main Street. I hope you enjoyed the ride.

Crowley Post Signal • 602 North Parkerson Avenue • Crowley, LA
Ph: 337-783-3450 • Fax: 337-788-0949