Do you remember where it was?

How much time do you spend trying to remember something about the past? When two or more people from a family, a school class, a club or any group gather, it never fails that someone will ask some question about when or where a certain activity took place.

Another item we try to get settled is exactly where something was. Right now the Robert Palmer family is trying to find out the exact name and get a picture of a family-style tavern that was on the north side of Walnut Street between Cedar and Washington Streets. One of Connie's ancestors owned this tavern and Robert remembers going there after Carpenter's meetings where he drank a soft drink while some of the other carpenters had beer. Neither of them remembers the name however and Connie would love to have a picture if anyone has one. When Robert asked me about it, I replied that I didn't go to taverns so I didn't remember it. However he told me that this was a family-type tavern and I could have easily dropped by there. However, he didn't know my mother. She wouldn't even let us walk by the door of a pool hall for fear we would see something sinful inside. She would cross the street to avoid this problem. But I know there are some very nice, genteel, law-abiding readers out there who will remember the name and possibly have a picture of this establishment.

I drive down Austin and try to remember just how the area east of Washington Street used to look when the high school was in that block. I know how the streets went and can remember it in my mind, but when I am actually at the corner it is very hard to visualize it on the site.

The spot where the fine red brick train depot stood looks so small that I have problems placing the building, the brick sidewalks, loading platforms and parking areas in the vacant lot that remains. The mural a block east brings it to life, but the actual spot looks so insignificant compared to all the history of the spot. The number of young men who left home and hopefully returned home from active service; the young people leaving for college; the dignitaries arriving for business or speeches; and mothers, wives and children waiting on the platform for a loved one to arrive, swirl in my memory as I stand on the weeds and broken concrete and remember the past.

A few things still look very much the same as they did "in the good old days." The courthouse lawn and building have not changed except for certain trees and landscaping additions. Main Hall at Cottey College looks the same even though it has been "fixed up" from time to time. The White Grill continues in the same spot with the same architectural style. Other buildings have remained very much the same but are serving a different purpose. Franklin School, now Marantha Christian Fellowship still gives former students a clear memory of the past. The circle drive at the old State Hospital Grounds still covers the same area although it now leads to the YMCA, educational opportunities and high tech availability. The Farm and Home building has changed shape and specific type of business. But, on the square the First National Bank continues the same service on the same corner with the old architecture newly returned.

The old jail, now part of the Bushwhacker Museum, and the Carnegie Library, now standing empty are places we all remember. And none of us are confused about where the Norman Sheet Metal plant is or what it does. Even our grandparents would recognize it today.

I wonder what landmark will remain for today's children to remember fondly.