KHS in the 50s

Remember the old Johnny Cash song, “Memories Are Made of This”? Well, so goes it for growing up in Knightstown. The people we knew as youngsters—friends and acquaintances—are indelibly etched in our minds. Listed are some of the folks who were “Knightstown Notables” when I was a youngster. How many of them do you remember? Sadly, death has claimed most of these old timers but they will live forever in the hearts of those of us shared their lives.

It has been 56 or more years since I had contact with the folks listed below. My memory too may be a bit hazy on a couple. If you believe I have misspelled a name or erred in the listing please drop Ed Knight a note so he can correct the mistake.

Blaine Addison & Bob Parker-Worked at Goodman’s in the men’s department

Doc Ammerman-dentist

Courtney Armstrong-Plumber

Willard Avery-attorney

Cecil Binford-owned and operated the Knightstown Bowling Alley

Ernie Bradway-owned a grocery at southeast corner Brown and Franklin

Al Brown-KHS coach for a time; taught mathematics

Bonnie Buckles-photographer

Doc (Ralph?) Bush-dentist

Paul Butcher-mortician

Louis Carroll-president of the First National Bank

Lee Carroll-president of Citizen’s National Bank

Jim Chance-owned Chance’s grocery on West Main Street

Joe Cooney-bought the photography business from Henley

Lon Craig-sharpened Knightstown lawnmowers and ran projectors at Alhambra Theater

Allen Cravens-owned a dairy

Belvin Durham-custodian at Knightstown High School

Frieda Dougherty-owned the local bakery

Guy Fausset-town marshall

Dolly Flory-daughter of Louie Flory who ran Flory’s Sweet Shop next to the Alhambra Theater

Fred Forst-Indiana State Police, tragically killed on duty

D.W. Grossman-realtor

Oren Henley-founder and long-time owner of Henley Photo Studio

Flo Hickman-owned Flo Hickman Dress Shop on Main Street

Harvey Hopkins-owned Hopkin’s Furniture Store adjacent to Lord’s

Joe Irvine-owned the Hudson Dealership

Walter Jolly-owned and operated Jolly’s Drug Store with his son Harry

Orville Jones-shoe repair, bought the business from Lawrence

Alvin Kopp-manager of Goodwin Bros Dodge/Plymouth Dealership

Crack Lawrence-shoe repair man

Shorty Lindsay-barber, owner of Lindsay Manor Hotel

Herman List-owned a print shop on the public square

Chet Livingston-manager of Goodman’s Department Store

Ralph Lord-owned and operated Lord’s Grocery Store at Jefferson and Main

Bob Lukens-managed the Knightstown Grain Elevator

Harry Manning-radio repairman

Tom Mauck-owned Mauck Lumber Company

Tom Mayhill-bought the Banner from Bob Sitler and built a large publishing firm

Bob McShirley-postman

Mark Mercer-KHS coach for a time; taught civics

Jack Messick-barber

Zelda Moffett-managed women’s and children’s and home furnish area at Goodman’s Dept. Store

Harriett Moore - Long time clerk at Rody’s Department Store

Ernie Moreland - Part owner and operator of Rody’s at 125 E. Main

Phil Parker-owned Parker’s Grocery Store on Main street at Public Square

Vern Perry-owned the Knightstown Coach Company (National Body Co.)

Clarence Post-owner of the Post Gamble Store, later Post & Post Hardware at 133 E. Main

Claude Puckett-chief grave digger and manager of the Glen Cove Cemetery

Harold Ratliff - Owned the Jewelry store at 19 N. Wash., later Main and Jefferson

Wes Ratliff - Henry County Circuit Judge

Ross Reddick-sold used cars, later owned the Texaco Station at Main and Jefferson

Carl Rihm-local grocer and packing house owner

Mick Ritchie-manager of the Alhambra Theater for Mr. Watts, the owner

Gene Sharp-oil distributor. Owned Phillips 66 gas station for several years

Mike Schatzlein-florist

John Shafer-postmaster

Paul Shaffer-jeweler

Burt Sheidler-the local blacksmith. His forge was located at the east end of Warrick Street

Eddie Shores-worked with Herman List in print shop; later owned facility

Gene Short –Indiana State Policeman

Bob Sitler-owned the Knightstown Banner

Dick Steele-affable, long-time manager at First National Bank

Lawrence Stroup-Was the station master at the Big Four stop at the tracks just south of Carey

Carlos Tribbey-manager of the Main Street Kroger Store

Jimmy Thomas-owned the Standard Oil Gas Station at Franklin and Main; ran the DMV office for a time

Bob and Shirley Thompson-owned and operated the Western Auto Store on E. Main

Fudd Wagoner-owned the hardware store at 113 E. Main Street

Rags Walters- the Knightstown upholsterer; his shop was located on the west side of the public square

Ralph Ward-postmaster

Doc Watts-dentist

Jim Williams-Les’s brother. Owned a dry cleaning store on south Washington Street

Les Williams-public square restaurateur, town marshal, owner Phillips 66 station after Sharp

Tubby Woods-owned the Ford Dealership

Harold Van Buskirk-principal at Knightstown High School

Kiefer Vestal-owned the Elite Café adjacent to the First National Bank

Thanks Wayne…!!
How about everyone pick a couple of names and write something about them in the comments section…!!