Texarkana Old School Nostalgia to Treat Your Workday Boredom
It's time once again for some Texarkana nostalgia! Let's crank up this Texarkana time machine and see where it leads us this time.
Texarkana is full of interesting history and tidbits, I thought it would be fun to take you down memory lane and see how many of these things you may remember. If you are a lifelong resident a lot of these facts you will most likely know. If you are a new resident that moved here then get ready for a little bit of a history lesson about what used to be in Texarkana.
With gas prices at an all-time high with no end in sight, do you know back in 1962 how much a gallon of gas costs in Texarkana? 28 cents per gallon
Now that puts everything into perspective.
Which bank in Texarkana had a phone number you would call to get the time and temperature? State First National Bank
I still remember the phone number but I am not going to put it on here because it's most likely a local resident's phone number now. But man, how time has changed (no pun intended) now all you have to do is check your cell phone for the time and temp.
Which motel in Texarkana was known for having a fun dome where you could swim? The Holiday Inn on Hwy 67 North eventually was named the Holidome for its glassed-in dome.
The original hotel is no longer in operation, most of the rooms have been turned into an apartment complex. The dome is still there but most of the glass is broken out and weeds are growing inside of it. Looks more like a greenhouse from the highway.
Where was the only escalator located in Texarkana back in the day? Belk Jones Department Store
The Belk Jones building is still located on East Broad Street where it now stands empty but hopefully, it will be revitalized soon for our entertainment district. When I was a kid I loved going up and down the escalator. Today there is an escalator inside the CHRISTUS St. Michael building.
What was the name of the bakery that was located on State Line Avenue near downtown? Butternut Bakery
I remember they used to have a mechanical sign on the top of the building that showed a loaf of bread being sliced. By the way, the slogan on their delivery trucks said, "Hit Me Easy, I'm Full of Butternut."
What auto dealership showcased the bullet-riddled car in their window of the legendary gangsters, Bonnie and Clyde? Creekmore Motor Company
Creekmore was a Texarkana auto dealership that was around in the 1930s and the car was on display on various tours across the United States. Gibsland, Louisiana was the last town in the state they visited before the infamous shootout. Just this past Memorial weekend the town had the Bonnie and Clyde Days Festival.
What was the name of the pool hall located behind the Jefferson Coffee Shop? Subway
Not to be confused with Subway sandwiches they were not around during that time in Texarkana.
What heavyweight champion fought an exhibition at Federal Corrections Institution aka FCI? Mohammed Ali
Mohammed Ali was brought into town all thanks to a local resident the late, Leo DeLaRosa. He first met "The Greatest," when they were both training as amateur boxers for the Golden Gloves competition in Chicago in the mid-70s. The two became friends and the rest is history.
What was the original name of Spring Lake Park? Ghio Park
A settler by the name of Anthony Ghio came to this area back in the mid-1800s acquired the land from another settler by the name of William Wooten. Ghio was instrumental in creating a basin to capture the water from the spring which eventually became known as Spring Lake Park. It's said the explorer Hernando Desoto came to the spring in 1541 in hopes of finding the Fountain of Youth.
Where was Texarkana's first airport located? Spring Lake Park
Planes used to take off and land there from the fairgrounds during the late 1920s, then moved to their present location off Highway 67. The Texarkana Regional Airport was named in honor of Harold Webb a local pilot from Texarkana who was heavy into aviation history. The Texarkana Regional is now under construction for an all-new airport with upgrades to the runway and terminal. A vintage U.S. aircraft remains as a reminder of what used to be.
What was the name of the Texarkana restaurant that had the same name as a popular brand of shoes? The Hushpuppy Restaurant
Back in the day, the Hushpuppy restaurant on Hwy 71 North was probably one of Texarkana's favorite places to eat. They had some of the best catfish and seafood around and the decor of the eatery had a tropical feel with lots of bamboo throughout the restaurant. Sadly, the restaurant closed down in the late 1990s and all that remains is a concrete slab in an empty field.
What are some things you remember about Texarkana's past? One thing's certain, the future looks bright for generations to come.