History of the  West Park
Neighborhood
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Rocky River Drive
THEN & NOW
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Note: Even numbers are on the west side of the street, odd numbers on the east side.

With some listings from the 1936 & 1956 Cleveland City Directories
(although not a complete list!)

Note:  There are not photographs for every location.
If you have any, especially of older buildings and businesses,
that may be considered for this site please contact Charles Chaney or Gary Swilik

Northwest Corner of Rocky River Drive and Lorain Avenue
Kamm's Plaza

3792-3790, 3788-3786, 3772, 3758, 3744 and 3740 Rocky River Drive

Looking northward up Rocky River Drive.  April 2006

The following houses stood on the west side of the street in the space now occupied by Kamms Plaza starting about where the Shell station is now located and extending to the north on the west side of Rocky River Drive.  All were demolished to make way for Kamms Plaza, c1961.  The Shell station is on the site of the (reportedly) first gasoline service station in West Park.  It was a Gulf station built in 1930.  Another source reported that Marti Rini opened a fruit stand on this corner the same year.

3792-3790                3788-3786                        3772                              3758                             3744                           3740     
(These photos are in the order they would appear if still standing in the above color photograph.)
 

Memories of the area
Places now gone

Kamm's  Store
southwest corner of Rocky River Drive and Lorain Avenue
17209 Lorain Avenue

                           c1910                                                                                             2005                                 

The building is located on Lorain Avenue but the entry is repeated here because it can be considered a historical "anchor" of the intersection.  Although the exterior of the old grocery store built by Oswald Kamm has been altered over the years, features of the old building can still be identified.  A fire gutted the building in early 1997.  The building was renovated and another restaurant, Alfonzo’s Tuscan Grill (now closed), occupied the venerable building.  The present street address is 17209 Lorain Avenue but it had a Rocky River Drive address as well.

Early history of Oswald Kamm

Photograph courtesy of LaVerne Landphair Buch.

Looking north up Rocky River Drive toward Lorain Avenue. Circa 1915. The building at far right is the general store of Oswald Kamm, for whom Kamm's Corners is named. The man in center is William C. Landphair, proprietor of Landphair's Dry Goods. The children are unidentified. Note the horse and buggy at left.

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      ***  Lorain Avenue ***
crosses Rocky River Drive at this point
(click to go to the Lorain Avenue page)

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1936 3855 -- Neal E. Black Barber 3857 -- Splendid Dry Cleaning Co. 3859 -- Thrifty Savings & Loan Co. 3861 -- Mary F. Meaney Restaurant

1956 3859 -- Seivert's Sandwich & Donut                Shop 3861 -- Jimmy Dunn's Bar

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Robt. J. Pfeil Optometrist office & Kamm's Barber shop. 
 3860 Rocky River Drive                                       Rocky River Drive

 
Photograph taken in October 1961.                                     Photo by Gary Swilik. 2006.        

This small building was built in 1953.  It was later razed.  The site is just south of the Kamms Store on the southwest corner of Loraine Avenue and Rocky River Drive that is now a parking lot and driveway to Stake 'n Shake restaurant.

1936 no addresses listed here

1956 3860 -- Robt. J. Pfeil, optom. 3862 -- Kamm's Barber shop

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1936 3866 -- Canfield Oil Co. filling station 3873 -- Jas. W. Hyland             Albers Avenue intersection 3878 -- Peter J.Weisbarth 3880 -- Geo. P. Deimling 3884-3892 -- Kamm's Terrace 3884 -- Mrs. Laverne V. Bohrer, music teacher 3885 -- John M. Radigan filling station

1956 3865 -- under construction 3866 -- M. E. Wilson             Albers Avenue intersection 3878 -- Ellery J. Locklear 3885 -- George's Mobile service station

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Kamm's Terrace.  Colbrunn Medical Building
3884-3892 Rocky River Drive

   
             Photograph c1915                                                          Photograph 1960                       
Coutesy of LaVerne Landphair Buch                                                                                                 

     
Photograph by Gary Swilik, 2004                                                 Photograph 1950                  

Kamm's Terrace apartments was constructed in 1909 by Oswald Kamm.  The building was later owned by Oswald's daughter Lena, wife of local banker and contractor Leo A. Colbrunn.  In 1950 the building was converted to offices.

1936 3884 -- Mrs. Laverne V. Bohrer, music teacher 3886 -- Fredk. C. Behrens 3890 -- Oswald J. Kamm 3892 -- Fredk. O. Culbrunn

1956 3886-90  Colubrunn Medical Bldg.                   Cyril J. Caldwell, dentist                   Bernard A. Ceraldi, phys.                   J. Evan Owens, phys.                   Robt J. Watts, phys.                   Wm. D. Carlisle, d7entist                   Henry H. Roenigk, phys.                   Victor Straubs, phys.                   John R. Kelker, phys.                   Homer T. Yoder, phys.

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1936              Fernshaw Avenue intersection 3895 -- Edw. Mandell 3900 -- Adam Hoffman Ice Cream Co. 3906 -- Mrs. Eleanor S. Partrick

1956              Fernshaw Avenue intersection 3895 -- Merrin Hagerty 3900-3992 -- United Greenhouse Co., Inc. 3906 -- John L. Jaquays              Floyd B. Jaquays, oculist              Wm. H. Jaquays, dentist

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West Park Congregational Church
West Park United Church of Christ Church
3909 Rocky River Drive

The Rockport Congregational Church was dedicated in 1906.  Photo from brochure, "Dedication of Rockport Conrgregational Church, Sep. 9, 1909," owned by LaVerne Landphair Buch.

The Rockport Congregational Church, at left, sometime between 1906 and 1912, on the east side of what was then called Riverside Road, now Rocky River Drive. At right is one of the many large homes that stood in this area. Courtesy of Aileen M. & Daniel Norton.

         

In January 2008, the West Park United Church of Christ occupies the former home site at 3909 Rocky River Drive. The earlier building of the Rockport Congregational Church stands at the left. Truax Avenue is on the right.

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1936             Truax Avenue intersection 3912 --W. L. Barthelman 3921 -- Carmelo LoParo 3922 -- Harry C. Walker 3935 -- Mrs. Jean Ocheltree              Bradgate Avenue intersection

1956             Truax Avenue intersection 3912 -- Mrs. Edith M. Barthelman 3921 -- Benedict J. Palmer 3922 -- Mrs. Bertha M. Walker 3935 -- Wm. J. Featherstone              Bradgate Avenue intersection

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Bradgate Avenue intersection, west side of Rocky River Drive

 
c1902-1912. Photograph courtesy of Aileen M. & Daniel Norton.                        January 2008. Photograph by Gary Swilik.           

West side of Rocky River Drive, then called Riverside Road, sometime between 1902 and 1912.  West Park was still Rockport Village at this time. Interurban tracks are in the foreground.  Bradgate Avenue now runs west off Rocky River Drive between the houses.

1936              Bradgate Avenue intersection 3936 -- Wm. W. Colbrunn 3950 -- Jos. G. Way 3951 -- vacant

1956             Bradgate Avenue intersection 3936 -- Anna K. Colbrunn 3950 -- Edw. J. Berry 3951 -- Herbert J. Houlehan

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Herr-Way of Service Station
3964 Rocky River Drive

   
Photographs 1960.

 
Photographs by Gary Swilik, April 2006.

Herr-Way of Service station (Alex J. Orb. The garage part of the station is the section that was built in 1932.  This office section was built as an addition in 1955.

1936 3964 -- Herr-Way of Service gas station

1956 3964 -- Orbans Herr-Way of Service gas station

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1936 3970 -- Nicholas Nagy, Harley Barnhill 3975 -- Frank Herr 3976 -- Jacob Kolleda              Geo. Schneeberger              Chatfield Avenue intersection 3980 -- Mrs. Anna M. Nichols, Elmer J. Kraus 3986 -- Harlow H. Landphair 3998 -- Shultz–Dunham Dairies, Inc. 4002 -- Jos. Printer 4014 -- Peter Barthelman 4026 -- United Greenhouses, Inc., Fredk. W. Reitz 4030 -- Wilbur L. Nichols 4037 -- Wm. F. Ahrens               rear -- Robert Osweld 4041 -- Owen L. Carroll 4042 -- John D. Daly, Jr. 4045 -- Eug. L. Carroll

1956 3965 -- Sixth Church of Christ Scientists 3970 -- Mrs. Elsie Munkachy beauty shop              Elmer L. Munkachy, Nicholas Nagy 3975 -- Louis W. Franz 3976 -- Jacob S. Kolleda              Jas. J. Kolleda trenching & grading cont.              Chatfield Avenue intersection 3980 -- Elmer Kraus 3981 -- Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses 3985 -- Krebs Sunoco Station 3986 -- Rev. Glenn W. Spaulding 3990-92 -- United Greenhouse Co., Inc. 3998 -- Kenneth L. Dean 4002 -- Juliette Besse, Mrs. Anita M. Keller 4014 -- Henry Barthelman 4016 -- Wm. J. Brett 4026 -- Robt. R. Milde 4027 -- Riverside Gardens Apartments              (28 units) 4030 -- Danl. Sherwood 4037 -- Everett D. Young, Edw. T. Healy,              Rex Bullard, Robt. D. Gilmour 4041 -- Aaron W. Short, Own Carroll 4042 -- Jos. Halek 4045 -- Edna M. Carroll

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Northern Ohio Cleaners
4049 Rocky River Drive

 
       Photograph September 1961.                                 Photograph by Charles C. Chaney, 2005.

The building was constructed circa 1931.

1936 4049 -- Northern Ohio Cleaners, Inc.

1956 4049 -- Northern Ohio Cleaners, Inc.

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1936 4050 -- Carl F. Green 4060 -- Jas. E. Thatcher          Larchwood Avenue intersection 4071 -- Clarence C Goellner filling station 4075 -- Perry K. Stevens Restaurant 4076 -- John W. Russo              Violet Baisel Beauty Shop              Alf T. Barnes filling station 4081 -- Wm. Spoerke 4082 -- Wm. B. Demaline, Wm E.Demaline 4087 -- Gustav F. Jeske, general contractor

1956 4050 -- Frank J. Clawson 4059 -- K & S Service Center gas station 4060 -- Earl G. Williams         Larchwood Avenue intersection 4071 -- Jennie, McMahon 4075 -- L. R. Gage Saw & Tool Co. 4076 -- Chas. A. Myland 4080 -- Phillips Radio & TV 4081 -- Thos. L. Bryg sewing machs. 4082 -- Buster Vance, Jas. A. Kisner 4087 -- Patk. J. Healey

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Four Suite Apartment Building
4088 Rocky River Drive

 
                 Photograph 1960.                              Photograph by Gary Swilik, April 2006

This building was constructed in 1955.

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1936 4095 -- Rev. Wellington Leininger

1956 4094 -- Marie Jule beauty shop              rear, Geo. P. Deimling 4095 -- Anna Mahoney

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Ford Local CIO, beauty salon, apartments
4096-4098 Rocky River Drive

 
Photograph 1961.                                           Photograph by Gary Swilik, 2006

Hair & Nail Salon and Ford Local CIO salon on 1st floor. Two apartments on the 2nd floor. Built c1925. Photo 1961.
 In 1936, Philip C. Becker, Wm. Alflen were listed at 4096.  Cletus Reinhart Bakery was at 4098.
In 1956, United Auto Workers Local 1250 was listed at 4098.

1936 4096 -- Philip C. Becker, Wm. Alflen 4098 -- Cletus Reinhart Bakery

1956 4096 -- Jas. E. Davis 4098 -- United Auto Workers Local 1250

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1936              Melgrave Avenue intersection 4113 -- Jas. E. O'Brien 4114 -- Caroline A. Norton 4123 -- Jos. Ebsworth, mason contractor              Sedalia Avenue intersection 4135 -- Mrs. Florence E. Dixon 4139 -- Edw. S. Bushman 4141 -- Jos. J. Gable

1956              Melgrave Avenue intersection 4107 -- Donald E. Braunlich, osteo. 4109 -- Kelsik's Barber & Beauty Shop 4113 -- Jas. E. O'Brien 4114 -- Gertrude G. Carey 4118 -- Bearden's Inc. restaurant 4123 -- Gertrude M. Ehrbar              Sedalia Avenue intersection 4135 -- Edwin P. Barnes 4139 -- Albert Gogolin 4141 -- Dairy Queen ice cream

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Dairy Queen, later John's Gastown, now Sunoco
4142 Rocky River Drive

 

1st photo:  Dairy Queen, 4142 Rocky River Dr. Built c1952. Photo 20 March 1952 - construction almost complete.
2nd photo:  John's Gastown (John H. Votko), 4142 Rocky River Drive. Built c1959. Photo c1960. (Former site of Dairy Queen.)
3rd photo:  Sunoco Station. April 2006.
There was no listing for this address in the City Directory of 1936 but is listed in 1956.

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1936 4143 -- Mrs. Eliz. Benning, beauty shop

1956 4143 -- Kenney's Hardware 4144 -- Robt. Matennich

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4147-4153 Rocky River Drive
(4145-4151 Rocky River Drive in 1936)

 
            Photograph.  August 1960.                                       Photograph by Charles C. Chaney, 2006

In the 1960 photo, the visible storefront housed the Alpine Tavern at 4153 Rocky River.
Today, the Hobby Castle is housed at 4147 which is obscured by the white truck but is
visible in the 2006 photograph.  Evidently there was a change in the address numbers
 between 1936 and 1956 which causes some confusion as to "what was where when."

1936 4143 -- Mrs. Eliz. Benning, beauty shop 4145 -- vacant 4147 -- Leslie P. Kenney Hardware 4149 -- vacant 4151 -- vacant

1956 4145-51 -- Campbell Apartments               (4 units.  See above.) 4152 -- Henry G. Barry 4153 -- Alpine Bar

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1936 4152 -- Louis G. Bohrer 4153 -- Chas. J. Scheeff, meats 4157 -- John Elges, beer 4165 -- Benj. Guglielmino filling station

1956 4155 -- Merle's Pet Shoppe 4157 -- Wm. Cunningham 4165 -- St. John's Shell Service Station

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Valleyview Market
4168 Rocky River Drive

  
     Photograph 1960                                                        Photograph by Gary Swilik, 2006

Valley View Market (Philip P. Indriolo, Jr.)  Date of construction unknown.

1936 4168 -- Allan J. Gardner, meats              Fisher Bros. Co. grocers              (Five apartments)

1956 4168 -- Valleyview Market              Fred Hahlen meats              (Five apartments)

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1936              Valleyview Avenue intersection 4171 -- Geo. T. Campbell, real estate 4172 -- Apex Apartments              (Five apartments)              Airport Pharmacy 4175 -- Austin A. Ruddy 4176 -- Kroger Grocery Co. grocery

1956              Valleyview Avenue intersection 4172 -- Riverview Pharmacy              (Five apartments) 4175 -- Martens Funeral Home 4176 -- United Auto Workers Local 755

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Huntley Hardware
4178 Rocky River Drive

 
     Photograph 1960                                                                    Photograph by Gary Swilik, 2006

The building housed Producers Milk Co. in 1936.  By 1956 it was Huntley Hardware.  Today it is Kelly Hardware.
Note the addition (with the flag in the window) onto the right side of the original building.

Photograph 1960
This garage (built 1950), immediately west of Huntley Hardware, was used to sell plants and garden supplies.
(In 1956, it was listed with the address of 4186 Rocky River Drive.)

1936 4178 -- Producers Milk Co.

1956 4178 -- Huntley Hardware

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1936 4180 -- vacant

1956 ----

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Radtke's Delicatessen
4181 Rocky River Drive

Built c1952

In about 1952 the Radtke's had a new brick store constructed at 4181 Rocky River Drive, immediately north of the original wooden structure at 4187 Rocky River Drive, and officially named it "Radtke's Delicatessen." It's this building that stands today. The old store was torn down and they expanded into the new building with an enlarged line of groceries, cold cuts, imports, beer, wine, and magazines.  Click here to learn more about the Radtke family and the store.

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1936 4182 -- Michael M. Guardian, shoe repair 4187 -- Mrs. Martha E. Carroll              John J. Kitsteiner, painter

1956 4182 -- no return 4186 -- (see Huntley Hardware above)

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Kaywood Apartments
4190 Rocky River Drive

 
Photograph 1962                                                                   Photograph by Gary Swilik, 2006

This apartment building consists of eight suites. Built in 1961.

1936 4190 -- Cleveland Railway Co.

1956 4190 --  no return

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1936 4194 -- John K. Watson              Woodbury Avenue intersection

1956 4194 -- John T. Hanley              Woodbury Avenue intersection

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Dairy Dell
4200 Rocky River Drive

 
                 Photograph 1961.                                                    Photograph by Charles C. Chaney, 2005.

Constructed in 1959.  (The Launderama was vacant in 1961.)

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1936 4214 -- vacant 4217 -- Arth. W. Walter filling station 4218 -- Saml. Messina 4223 -- Victor Feldtz 4225 -- Edw. G. Rau 4227 -- Robt. Woodward, trucking 4232 -- Louis W. Kramer 4240 -- Howard A. Arndt 4248 -- Julian P. Kollie 4251 --Wm. Broeckel beauty shop 4253 -- Theo. C. Stroemple, barber 4257 -- Fredk. C. Toedtman, drugstore              Westdale Avenue intersection 4265 -- Jas. D. Kelly, Harry H. Gray,                Donald Kelly 4270 -- Cath. Horstman Training Home for                Girls               Mrs. Julia M. Deericks 4271 -- Mrs. Blanche A. Berry 4273 -- Jos. Rieke 4285 -- Donald C. Oliver 4287 -- Industrial ApplianceCo., oven cleaners              Mrs. Helen B. Collins 4288 -- Harry E. Humbel 4291 -- Edw. M. Conway 4293 -- Louis Horvath              Elsienna Avenue intersection 4305 -- Howard J. Vick 4309 -- Wm. T. Spencere 4310 -- Geo. Norton 4312 -- Edw. C. Eucker 4313 -- Sherlock Wadsworth 4317 -- Wm. E. Tunney 4320 -- Irvin E. VanBoxel 4321 -- Fredk. A. Walz 4335 -- Alvin E. Borchert, filling station              Laverne Avenue intersection 4341 -- Maerkle White Huxtable Auble Co.,                real estate 4343 -- Neal Norton 4350 -- Wm. Norton 4356 -- John F. Laughlin

1956 4213 -- Robertson Sinclair Service, gas station 4214 -- Elmer R. Paulitzky 4217 -- vacant 4218 -- Willard E. Hauser, phys. 4223 -- Thomas B. Hunt 4225 -- Alf R. Hedbert 4227 -- Mrs. Laura M. Zimmerman 4232 -- Frank J. Sords 4237-45 -- Riverside Terrace Apartments               (Fifteen apartments) 4240 -- Jos. L. Phillips 4248 -- Alex Mezey, plumbing 4251 -- Chandler Building Co. 4253 -- McElroy's Barber Shop 4255 -- Garland O. Shook 4257 -- McHales Delicatessen              Westdale Avenue intersection 4265 -- Jos. S. Schicker, Harry H. Gray 4270 --  Holy Cross Lutheran Church              Parish Hall 4271 -- Richard Radke 4273 -- vacant 4285 -- Zella E. Oliver 4287 -- Edw. E. Moore 4288 -- Harry Humbel              Cecelia K. Brickman, Music teacher 4291 -- Edw. M. Conway 4293 -- Dale O. Graham              Elsienna Avenue intersection 4301 -- Ralph H. Western 4305 -- Paul W. Ross 4309 -- Chas. Allen 4310 -- Thomas J. Norton 4312 -- Mrs. Margt. O'Shea 4313 -- John J. Gannon 4317 -- Theo. A. Schillky 4320 -- John R. Carse 4321 -- Ernest N. Junak 4335 -- Seager Sonoco service station              Laverne Avenue intersection 4343 -- Millard G. Wiseman 4350 -- Annie B. Norton              Robt. N. Norton, excavator 4356 -- Geo. F. Uhrig

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Kim's Hardware.  Air Way Inn Restaurant
4359-4361 Rocky River Drive

  
                 Photograph 1960.                                                    Photograph by Charles C. Chaney, 2005.

Constructed 1928.

1936 4359 -- Albert McMurtrie, grocer 4361 -- Jacob Koch 4363 - Wm. J. Marquard, beer

1956 4359-61 -- Kim's Hardware 4363 -- Airway Inn

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1936 4360 -- Edwin W. Staebler 4363 -- Wm. J. Marquard, beer (see above) 4364 -- Chas. J. Deex 4374 -- Ignatius T. Brock              Arth. H. Fourtner, general contractor              Milburn Avenue intersection 4380 -- Mrs. Susan Nickel 4383 -- May Breen 4395 --Mrs. Martha Code 4396 -- Michl. F. Norton 4400 -- Mrs. Kath. O'Brien 4406 -- Jas. S. Kennedy

1956 4360 -- Louis A. Plichta 4363 -- Airway Inn (see above) 4364 -- Danl. E. Newton 4370 -- Jos. J. Klamet, Herbert W. Bindernagel 4374 -- Harry C. Schwarzer              Milburn Avenue intersection 4380 -- Steven Dido 4383 -- John Philip, Frank R. Kaspar 4384 -- Benito Muny 4390 -- under construction 4395 -- Wm. D. Young 4396 -- Mrs. Ida Norton 4400 -- John Norton 4406 -- Howard C. Spilker

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Margaret Beauty Salon
4410 Rocky River Drive

  
           Photograph 1960                                                  Photograph by Gary Swilik, 2006

Margaret Beauty Salon (Margaret Amburst), constructed 1958.

1936 4410 -- Gertrude Campbell 4414 -- Jacob Daso, florest

1956 4410 -- no return 4414 -- Florence K. Daso, Robt. J. Matanick

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Lawson's Milk Company
4434 Rocky River Drive

 
    Photograph August 1960                                                      Photograph by Gary Swilik 2006.

Lawson's Milk Company. Built 1958.
Old Puritas School is in the background.

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Discount Tile Mart  -  Frankie's Delicatessen
4444 & 4448 Rocky River Drive

 
Photograph c1960                                                                            Photograph August 1956

              Discount Tile Mart (Joseph E. Pearl)          Frankie's Delicatessen (Fran & Mrs. Mary Verbonese)
   4448 Rocky River Drive                                        4444 Rocky River Drive
Built in 1952. In 1956, it was                                               (demolished)           
Palmer's Eagle Super Market                                                                              
(demolished)                                                                          

 Photograph by Gary Swilik, 2006

The old buildings were razed to make room for a major drugstore.  However, that building is now occupied by women's fitness center.
The above image pictures some of the area where the stores stood.

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Puritas Avenue intersection

Ellis Gulf Service (1960)
4450 Rocky River Drive

 
         Photograph 1960.                                                       Photograph by Gary Swilik. 2007.

The Ellis Gulf Service Station (Robert G. Ellis) at the southwest corner of Rocky River Drive and Puritas Avenue was built about 1957. The lot is now occupied by a Taco Bell restaurant which was built in the early 1980s.

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Charles Wood Memorial Hospital.
4650 Rocky River Drive
(Photograph of 18223 Rockland Avenue)

 
         Photograph 1961.                                                       Photograph by Gary Swilik. 2007.

The building is actually at 18223 Rockland Avenue, immediately west of Rocky River Drive. In teh early 1950's this was the Lee Products Company, distributor of Vacuum Cleaner parts. After standing vacant for several years it was remodeled into a hospital. It is now (2007) part of the Rae-Ann Center assisted living facility at 4650 Rocky River Drive.

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Cities Service gas station
4688 Rocky River Drive

 
         Photograph c1960.                                                       Photograph by Gary Swilik. 2007.

Cities Service gas station. Built c1953.

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