Reflections from the Past
“Rockin’ and Rollin’ Thru the 50s” By Sanger Area Historical Society and Museum Billy Ed Nance, Class of ’55, presented a program in the winter of 2010 to the Sanger Area Historical Society members and guests of Sanger about life in Sanger in the 50s. Nance presented many facets of the 50s, but one of the most interesting was the businesses in Sanger during these times. As Sanger’s need for a grocery store is prominent in the minds of citizens, let us look at Nance’s recollection of what Downtown Sanger’s businesses were and specifically the grocery stores located in the immediate Downtown area. Horst Brothers Grocery and Market McDaniel Grocery Market King’s Grocery Gentle’s Help Thy Self Grocery Seal’s Grocery Cockrill’s Grocery These stores were very small, and most had one aisle to the back and one aisle to the front, but they were fully stocked, and most had meat counters with a butcher to provide the cut of meat you needed. Many small businesses handled most of the needs of Sanger. Primarily these businesses are gone now, but many citizens will remember them as they provided much-needed services and products to the town. • Palace Drugstore – owned by Buck Bailey, who later sold to the Mathison’s • Sanger Oil Company – owned by J.M. Sims
Sanger Sentinel, November 2022
• Sanger Farm Store – owned by Jack Perry • Chapman’s Clinic – owned by J. Clyde Chapman • Sanger Telephone Company – managed by Nina Sullivan. During these years, there was a telephone operator who would connect you to the number you wanted. There were also many party lines, especially in the surrounding country areas. • LeGear and Cooper Implements – owned by Lish LeGear and Henry Cooper. They also sold Philco televisions. Lish had owned the Ford car dealership but loved the business of selling John Deere tractors and implements. • Bucklew Furniture and Appliance Company – owned by Lloyd Bucklew • Enderby Butane Company • Odom’s Texaco – owned by R.L. Odom • Sanger Auto Store – operated by James Ready, Romie Sealy and Norma (Olmstead) Seely • Sanger Pharmacy – owned by E.M. Acker • Sanger Courier – owned by H.B. and Myrtle Toon • Schertz Implements – owned by Schertz Brothers • Ben Harvey Feed and Seed – owned by Ben Harvey • Cherry’s Beauty Shop – owned by Alma Cherry • Kemp’s Café – owned by Ray and Ida Kemp • Feller’s Café – owned by Dave Feller • John and Lela’s Café – owned by John and Lela Gary • The Gulf Station – owned by Butler Boydstun • O.M. Gentle’s Hardware – owned by Oscar Monroe Gentle • Sanger Mill and Elevator Company – operated by the Chambers family • Art Seely Locker Plant – owned by Art Seely • Warren Insurance Agency – owned by Miss Page 16
