Sunday, December 3, 2017

TIME MACHINE: A Longtime Business Tradition At Market & Clarke

Our Little Corner In Space And Time    
(Reader-friendly viewing of items from newspaper archives)

For decades now the location has been void of any structure but throughout much of Pocomoke City's history it was one of the busy hubs of commerce. 

December, 1910
















Democratic Messenger (Snow Hill)



November, 1896





Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac)


Footnote: After the death of W.S. Dickinson in 1907 the store was purchased by the Smullen brothers (Julius, John, Albert) and Thomas F. Hargis. The business' name was Hargis Department Store when purchased later by M. L. Veasey.  It fell victim to the downtown Pocomoke fire of 1922 and Veasey built a new and larger building for the store's new home. 

As noted in an earlier posting the Veasey Building, at the northeast corner of Market Street and Clarke Avenue, was home to J.C. Penny and Montgomery Ward after Veasey retired from the business in 1928. Those tenants remained until the 1960's when the economic downturn probably stemming from the late 1950's closing of the Chincoteague Naval Air Station resulted in the stores closing their doors. Daniel's Department Store was the Veasey Building's last tenant. After a lengthy period of vacancy Pocomoke City's iconic downtown building was demolished in 1976.

Pictured below is the Hargis Department store, and demolition of the longtime landmark building. 

(Pictures from the book "Images Of America - Pocomoke City" by Norma Miles and Robin Chandler-Miles.)


Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers or something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? Please send to tkforppe@yahoo.com .

When you're clicking around the Internet remember to check in with The Pocomoke Public Eye.  We strive to be a worthwhile supplement to your choices.

Sunday, November 26, 2017

TIME MACHINE: 1970, 1927, 2010, 1962.

Our Little Corner In Space And Time    
(Reader-friendly viewing of items from newspaper archives)

November, 1970




December, 1927


Marylander And Herald (Princess Anne)

During the Christmas season the Coffman-Fisher clothing store at the northwest corner of Second and Market Streets set up a large toy department on an upper floor of their store.  A long flight of stairs above the balcony level of the store led to the once a year large display of children's Santa wish list items.   


May, 2010












The Daily Times (Salisbury)


ACROSS THE USA


October, 1962



 




 


Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers or something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? Please send to tkforppe@yahoo.com .

When you're clicking around the Internet remember to check in with The Pocomoke Public Eye.  We strive to be a worthwhile supplement to your choices.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Weatherman Says Clear And Cool For Pocomoke Christmas Parade!




Monday night, November 27th, 2017, We will celebrate our 45th year as Pocomoke City will be transformed into a “Winter Wonderland” as Pocomoke City plays host to one of Delmarva’s largest nighttime Christmas parades. 

Always held on the first Monday night after Thanksgiving, the Pocomoke parade has become an Eastern Shore tradition and will attract over 100 units from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia along with thousands of spectators.

Each year the parade features marching bands representing high and middle schools from seven counties in three states. Also featured will be beautifully decorated and lighted floats entered by schools, civic organizations, churches, and commercial enterprises.

Clowns, marching units, fire departments, equestrian units, and of course Santa Claus will round out the two-hour event, slated to kick-off at 7:00 p.m. sharp. The route will take the parade north on Market Street beginning at 14th Street and ending at the Pocomoke River.

Professional judges, including members of the National Judges Association (NJA), will score entries in 10 different categories. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded immediately following the event to the top entries in each category.


A special thanks to the community of Pocomoke City and surrounding areas for the recent support given to us to continue this great tradition that has been a part of the town for over four decades.

Sunday, November 19, 2017

TIME MACHINE: 1929, 1995, 1895, 1917.

Our Little Corner In Space And Time    
(Reader-friendly viewing of items from newspaper archives)


November, 1929




 Salisbury Times


February, 1995




The News Journal (Wilmington)

Footnote: Irwin served as Pocomoke City Police Chief from 1995 to November, 2011.  




Following is an October, 2011 excerpt from the Pocomoke Public Eye:


Some highlights of Chief Ervin’s exceptional career in Pocomoke City have included:
 CALEA (Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies) National Recognition Certification; one of only 2 city police agencies on the Eastern Shore of Maryland to be CALEA-Certified or Recognized;

● Introduction of several youth-related programs including Christmas Party, Back-to-School event, Easter Egg Hunt, and fishing program;

● Two “National Night Out “events in the top 20 Nationwide;

● Receipt of over $1 million in State and Federal grants; and

● Significant reductions in overall crime rates through technology, training, enforcement and citizen engagement.


According to Mayor Bruce A. Morrison, “The City Council and I wish Chief Ervin well in his retirement, which is greatly deserved. He has done an outstanding job for our community for the past 16 years”. “With his previous experience in larger departments, he brought a new level of professionalism to our Police Department.” City Council Vice President Tracey Cottman added, “J.D. has done a great job as our Chief. Although we will miss him, he leaves the Police Department in excellent shape for the future.”


May, 1895

(Would CNN have been there to cover the controversy that swirled around proceedings at Cattail Neck in the Accomack County Democratic election primary of 1895?)






(Accomack County Polling Locations) 

Peninsula Enterprise



ACROSS THE USA

June, 1917





The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pa.)


Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers or something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? Please send to tkforppe@yahoo.com .

When you're clicking around the Internet remember to check in with The Pocomoke Public Eye.  We strive to be a worthwhile supplement to your choices.