Ask Vance

05/09/12

New Website Offers Old Aerial Views of Memphis — Or Anywhere Else, For That Matter

I know that the Lauderdale Mansion is a bit tumble-down, but have I actually been living under such a pile of rocks that until yesterday I was completely unaware of a rather amazing website called Historic Aerials? In fact, I would have probably remained blissfully ignorant for years, until my pal Walt Drissel, who has been researching the history of the old Lakeland amusement park, told me he had been using Historic Aerials to track (pardon the pun) the route of the old Huff 'n' Puff Railroad. As the name implies, this site offers old aerial photographs of just about any place in the country, taken over a period of years. I spent most of yesterday evening "flying" over parts of Memphis, seeing how neighborhoods, streets, and individual houses and buildings...

Posted at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments: 2

05/03/12

The Eads School Bus Tragedy of 1941: A Survivor's Story

Way back in our February 2004 issue, I told about the horrible Eads school bus tragedy that took place on October 10, 1941, right at the very spot shown in this photo. Though they were pulled up years ago, in 1941 railroad tracks ran straight towards the viewer, and this now-peaceful scene was the site of the greatest disaster in the history of Shelby County Schools. A school bus carrying students home from the George R. James School came down the hill at the far right in this photo, turned and and crossed the tracks here — right into the path of a locomotive heading towards Memphis at 50 miles per hour. Killed that day were the bus driver, Benjamin Priddy, and seven students: Guy Anderson Jr., Hayden Austin Williams, Norma Jean Seward, Melvin Richmond, Murry Kenneth Bryan,...

Posted at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments: 2

04/30/12

Now, Why on Earth Would Anyone Need an ARMORED Ambulance?

I believe I've pondered this issue before, but I was reminded to ponder it again while looking through the curious old ads in the back pages of a Memphis University School yearbook from the late 1920s. Pretty much how everyone else in Memphis spends their Saturday nights, I presume. I was struck by this handsome ad for J.T. Hinton & Son, promoting their armored ambulance service. I just don't understand why anyone would need such a thing. Now look. As a Lauderdale, I have to be more security-conscious than regular citizens of our city, what with our family's coveted collection of bowling trophies, roller-skating medals, and assorted other treasures. But even so ... Let me give this by way of example. Let's just say, hypothetically speaking, that I find...

Posted at 10:25 PM | Permalink | Comments: 2

04/26/12

Lost Memphis: Whistle Bottling Company

In our February issue, I told the dramatic and heart-rending story of the Whistle Bottling Company, a soft-drink manufacturer that operated on South Main in the early 1900s. I ran a nice photo of the old building, courtesy of the Memphis Room at the Benjamin Hooks Central Library, which is still standing today, though it's changed considerably over the years. The old Whistle building, I mean, not the library. Please — pay attention. What I did not do, however, was include a photo of an actual Whistle Bottling Company bottle. Until now. Thanks to a very comprehensive website operated by a nice fellow named Chris Weide, who is quite an authority on the American soft-drink bottling industry, I found a photo of an old Whistle bottle with its distinctive...

Posted at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments

04/24/12

Anyone Remember The Beacon — "Memphis' Oldest Steakhouse"?

Memphians have gotten into disputes before about the oldest restaurant in town — an argument that usually boils down to the Arcade, the Little Tea Shop, and even Dyer's Hamburgers — depending upon your precise definition of "restaurant." But what about more specific categories, such as the oldest steakhouse in town? Certain obvious contenders come to mind, such as Folk's Folly. But one lonely night in the Lauderdale Mansion — oh, aren't they all?? — I was leafing through the pages of a 1957 Memphis Hotel and Motel Guide (third floor of the Lauderdale Library, fourth aisle, top shelf), and I came across this interesting ad. The Beacon, at 1489 Lamar, proclaims itself "Memphis' Oldest Steakhouse." And who am I to...

Posted at 06:14 PM | Permalink | Comments: 2

04/12/12

White Station Tower's "Top of the Tower" Restaurant

In the many decades since I've been writing my "Ask Vance" column (begun, as I recall, when I was laid up with my wartime injuries at Kennedy General Hospital), one of the topics often discussed has been the name of the revolving restaurant atop White Station Tower. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, that the place originally opened as The Embers — a second location in addition to the older, original Embers at Park and Getwell. And look — as this nice ad from a 1972 issue of Key Magazine shows — after a few years, it changed owners and became the Top of the Tower restaurant. I like some of the wording in this old ad, especially that bit about the "dining rooms that seem to blend with the stars." Revolving...

Posted at 02:04 PM | Permalink | Comments: 4

04/10/12

Lost Memphis: Blaz'r Steaks

Over the years, people have asked me about the curious design of Nagasaki, the Japanese restaurant at 3951 Summer. Others have noticed the rather unusual architecture of Patrick's, a restaurant and hanging-out-place at 4972 Park. A few readers finally noticed that the buildings look the same, and they asked me what the structures were, originally. As you can see from this somewhat grainy advertisement in a 1967 Kingsbury High School yearbook, both establishments began life as a restaurant chain called Blaz'r Steaks. I really can't explain why that company chose such a bizarre modern style for its steakhouses, with their jutting beams and swooping roofline, or what they hoped to accomplish by leaving that all-important "e" out of the word...

Posted at 03:34 PM | Permalink | Comments: 9

04/03/12

Meet Allen Crump, "BBQ Man" — Owner of Pig Pen #1 and Pig Pen #2

Last week, I posted an old Treadwell High School yearbook ad for a barbecue joint on Summer called the Pig Pen, because I just liked the matter-of-fact style of the ad. Well, imagine my surprise and delight when it turns out that the daughter and granddaughter of the owner — a fellow named Allen Crump — told me lots more about the place. Alisa also provided this wonderful photo shown here, which shows Crump and a some fellow who looks like a potato-chip salesman. What I especially like is the saying hand-painted on the wall behind them: "BBQ Is Delicious Even If You Are Sober." Maybe even more so. Alisa tells me: "My grandfather, Allen Crump, owned and operated the Pig Pen. In the family it was always considered 'the first counter-service...

Posted at 09:10 PM | Permalink | Comments

04/02/12

Lost Memphis: The Luau

Regular readers of my "Ask Vance" column (you know who you are — I'm not allowed to give out the names of state prison inmates) know that my futile search for a decent photo of the exterior of the Luau — the Polynesian-themed restaurant on Poplar — has caused me to suffer from bouts of neurasthenia, jungle madness, and infestations of botflies. Or maybe it only seems that way. I just can't understand why such a distinctive and popular restaurant didn't leave behind more tangible evidence of its existence. I've seen some Key magazine ads (mainly illustrations), a tiny menu, and some partial shots of the exterior in a few East High School yearbook ads (the school was just across the street). But so far, no clear image of the restaurant...

Posted at 03:55 PM | Permalink | Comments: 4

03/30/12

Lost Memphis: The Pig Pen

Call me crazy (many of my doctors do), but I really love the stark simplicity of this ad, found in the back pages of a 1954 Treadwell High School yearbook. It tells you to "Eat" and then it tells you where: Pig Pen. And not "Eat at" or even "The Pig Pen." Nope, just: "Eat ... Pig Pen." The tone is very "Me Tarzan, You Jane." You've got the address on Summer, and even the one-word summary of the type of eatery: "Barbecue." You really can't get more concise than that. But then, perhaps because they had all that space to fill, they dropped in the mouth-watering slogan: "Where you get a bargain in a good fat pig," which not only suggests the prices are low, but gosh isn't a "good fat...

Posted at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments: 2

	05/09/12 New Website Offers Old Aerial Views of Memphis — Or Anywhere Else, For That Matter I know that the Lauderdale Mansion is a bit tumble-down, but have I actually been living under such a pile of rocks that until yesterday I was completely unaware of a rather amazing website called Historic Aerials? In fact, I would have probably remained blissfully ignorant for years, until my pal Walt Drissel, who has been researching the history of the old Lakeland amusement park, told me he had been using Historic Aerials to track (pardon the pun) the route of the old Huff 'n' Puff Railroad. As the name implies, this site offers old aerial photographs of just about any place in the country, taken over a period of years. I spent most of yesterday evening "flying" over parts of Memphis, seeing how neighborhoods, streets, and individual houses and buildings... Posted at 10:50 AM \| Permalink \| Comments: 2
	05/03/12 The Eads School Bus Tragedy of 1941: A Survivor's Story Way back in our February 2004 issue, I told about the horrible Eads school bus tragedy that took place on October 10, 1941, right at the very spot shown in this photo. Though they were pulled up years ago, in 1941 railroad tracks ran straight towards the viewer, and this now-peaceful scene was the site of the greatest disaster in the history of Shelby County Schools. A school bus carrying students home from the George R. James School came down the hill at the far right in this photo, turned and and crossed the tracks here — right into the path of a locomotive heading towards Memphis at 50 miles per hour. Killed that day were the bus driver, Benjamin Priddy, and seven students: Guy Anderson Jr., Hayden Austin Williams, Norma Jean Seward, Melvin Richmond, Murry Kenneth Bryan,... Posted at 11:10 AM \| Permalink \| Comments: 2
	04/30/12 Now, Why on Earth Would Anyone Need an ARMORED Ambulance? I believe I've pondered this issue before, but I was reminded to ponder it again while looking through the curious old ads in the back pages of a Memphis University School yearbook from the late 1920s. Pretty much how everyone else in Memphis spends their Saturday nights, I presume. I was struck by this handsome ad for J.T. Hinton & Son, promoting their armored ambulance service. I just don't understand why anyone would need such a thing. Now look. As a Lauderdale, I have to be more security-conscious than regular citizens of our city, what with our family's coveted collection of bowling trophies, roller-skating medals, and assorted other treasures. But even so ... Let me give this by way of example. Let's just say, hypothetically speaking, that I find... Posted at 10:25 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 2
	04/26/12 Lost Memphis: Whistle Bottling Company In our February issue, I told the dramatic and heart-rending story of the Whistle Bottling Company, a soft-drink manufacturer that operated on South Main in the early 1900s. I ran a nice photo of the old building, courtesy of the Memphis Room at the Benjamin Hooks Central Library, which is still standing today, though it's changed considerably over the years. The old Whistle building, I mean, not the library. Please — pay attention. What I did not do, however, was include a photo of an actual Whistle Bottling Company bottle. Until now. Thanks to a very comprehensive website operated by a nice fellow named Chris Weide, who is quite an authority on the American soft-drink bottling industry, I found a photo of an old Whistle bottle with its distinctive... Posted at 11:44 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	04/24/12 Anyone Remember The Beacon — "Memphis' Oldest Steakhouse"? Memphians have gotten into disputes before about the oldest restaurant in town — an argument that usually boils down to the Arcade, the Little Tea Shop, and even Dyer's Hamburgers — depending upon your precise definition of "restaurant." But what about more specific categories, such as the oldest steakhouse in town? Certain obvious contenders come to mind, such as Folk's Folly. But one lonely night in the Lauderdale Mansion — oh, aren't they all?? — I was leafing through the pages of a 1957 Memphis Hotel and Motel Guide (third floor of the Lauderdale Library, fourth aisle, top shelf), and I came across this interesting ad. The Beacon, at 1489 Lamar, proclaims itself "Memphis' Oldest Steakhouse." And who am I to... Posted at 06:14 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 2
	04/12/12 White Station Tower's "Top of the Tower" Restaurant In the many decades since I've been writing my "Ask Vance" column (begun, as I recall, when I was laid up with my wartime injuries at Kennedy General Hospital), one of the topics often discussed has been the name of the revolving restaurant atop White Station Tower. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, that the place originally opened as The Embers — a second location in addition to the older, original Embers at Park and Getwell. And look — as this nice ad from a 1972 issue of Key Magazine shows — after a few years, it changed owners and became the Top of the Tower restaurant. I like some of the wording in this old ad, especially that bit about the "dining rooms that seem to blend with the stars." Revolving... Posted at 02:04 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 4
	04/10/12 Lost Memphis: Blaz'r Steaks Over the years, people have asked me about the curious design of Nagasaki, the Japanese restaurant at 3951 Summer. Others have noticed the rather unusual architecture of Patrick's, a restaurant and hanging-out-place at 4972 Park. A few readers finally noticed that the buildings look the same, and they asked me what the structures were, originally. As you can see from this somewhat grainy advertisement in a 1967 Kingsbury High School yearbook, both establishments began life as a restaurant chain called Blaz'r Steaks. I really can't explain why that company chose such a bizarre modern style for its steakhouses, with their jutting beams and swooping roofline, or what they hoped to accomplish by leaving that all-important "e" out of the word... Posted at 03:34 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 9
	04/03/12 Meet Allen Crump, "BBQ Man" — Owner of Pig Pen #1 and Pig Pen #2 Last week, I posted an old Treadwell High School yearbook ad for a barbecue joint on Summer called the Pig Pen, because I just liked the matter-of-fact style of the ad. Well, imagine my surprise and delight when it turns out that the daughter and granddaughter of the owner — a fellow named Allen Crump — told me lots more about the place. Alisa also provided this wonderful photo shown here, which shows Crump and a some fellow who looks like a potato-chip salesman. What I especially like is the saying hand-painted on the wall behind them: "BBQ Is Delicious Even If You Are Sober." Maybe even more so. Alisa tells me: "My grandfather, Allen Crump, owned and operated the Pig Pen. In the family it was always considered 'the first counter-service... Posted at 09:10 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	04/02/12 Lost Memphis: The Luau Regular readers of my "Ask Vance" column (you know who you are — I'm not allowed to give out the names of state prison inmates) know that my futile search for a decent photo of the exterior of the Luau — the Polynesian-themed restaurant on Poplar — has caused me to suffer from bouts of neurasthenia, jungle madness, and infestations of botflies. Or maybe it only seems that way. I just can't understand why such a distinctive and popular restaurant didn't leave behind more tangible evidence of its existence. I've seen some Key magazine ads (mainly illustrations), a tiny menu, and some partial shots of the exterior in a few East High School yearbook ads (the school was just across the street). But so far, no clear image of the restaurant... Posted at 03:55 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 4
	03/30/12 Lost Memphis: The Pig Pen Call me crazy (many of my doctors do), but I really love the stark simplicity of this ad, found in the back pages of a 1954 Treadwell High School yearbook. It tells you to "Eat" and then it tells you where: Pig Pen. And not "Eat at" or even "The Pig Pen." Nope, just: "Eat ... Pig Pen." The tone is very "Me Tarzan, You Jane." You've got the address on Summer, and even the one-word summary of the type of eatery: "Barbecue." You really can't get more concise than that. But then, perhaps because they had all that space to fill, they dropped in the mouth-watering slogan: "Where you get a bargain in a good fat pig," which not only suggests the prices are low, but gosh isn't a "good fat... Posted at 03:24 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 2