You Haven't Lived in Watertown If...

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You haven't lived in Watertown if....

[6/18/03, 7:02 p.m.]
...you never bought beer as a minor at Majors market
...never knew who Harry the Horse was, and lost a bet or two with him on football.
...you never got a slab of cheese at BJ's bar and grill to go with your draft.
...you never listened to Michael e Wilson on WOTT, the coolest station in the area
....never sneaked into the pits at Watertown Speedway
...didn't ever get into a party underneath the court street bridge
...you don't remember the trolley/train tracks in the middle of factory street
...you thought the air brake was THE place to work
...you never slid down the grass along side the arsenal street bridge on a piece of cardboard
...you don't remember about 15 telephones in the arcade
...you don't remember where Jackson street was located
...you never went to the knights of Columbus for any youth event
...you never went to the pla-mor to just hang out and play pinball, cause i probably would have beat any score that you put up
...looking back you thought that urban renewal was a sad thing
...you never got thrown out of Johnny's fruit stand for doing nothing but being young
...you don't remember the neighborhood markets...Ashkars, Guardinos, Milts, Clay street, Gotham street, the little store (massey street) and the like
...you didn't think stu parker was the greatest math teacher ever
...you remember when vic remorino was of retirement age
...you don't recall the city of the future signs

[6/16/03, 9:32 p.m.]
If you don't remember a cold draft beer and all the snacks you could eat at the Woodruff in the 50's. The Naval Reserve Armory on Mullen St. Morgia's for the best Italian food this side of heaven. The Black River drive in theater. The basketball rivalry between IHA and CAA (Carthage) Taking in the view of Watertown from Thompson Park overlook with your best girl on Saturday night. Ah yes, the good old days and how I miss them.    
-Tom from Ocala, Fl.

[5/20/03, 7:32 p.m.]
...you never heard Bob Strom reporting news or hosting the Hotline for WOTT 1410 (sometimes as a fill-in for Don Alexander) as "Bob Roberts" from his "downtown news bureau" across from Mercy Hospital. We at WOTT called him "Scoop" for fun. Bob was a great reporter and a dear friend who was a true professional. Rest in peace, Bob.
-Tampa, Florida

[5/18/03, 6:52 p.m.]
...you don't remember for many years "Rozzi" calling out "Read All About It" as he waved a copy of the newspaper he was selling as he made his way around Public Square.

[5/15/03, 4:52 p.m.]
...You haven't been to Guardino's Market on Franklin St. to buy those little "sugar water" filled wax bottles. 
...You've never waited at 2 am for ANY seat to open at Allen's Diner........gravy fries!!! 
...You didn't play video games at the arcade on Sherman St. across from Woolworth's....centipede! 
...You never fed the ducks at the cemetery. You never bought a mini American flag or a inflatable dog on a stick at one of the downtown parades from the guy with the shopping cart. We called him "Be Brave" because that's what he always told us. 
...You've never had the pizza from Hank Spaziani's bakery, or Art's, or Pete's. THE BEST!!! 
...You didn't play "grasshopper" baseball at the field on Pearl St. across from the Airbrake...(it's a parking lot now) 
...You didn't help build a float for the playground parade. Sherman St. School was mine. 
...You didn't buy your concert tickets from the music store under Woolworth's. 
...You didn't enjoy a burger & fries at the bar in the "Harvest House" at Woolworth's. 
...You didn't go to Wiley School.....the ONLY school i've ever known with it's own Planetarium. 
You didn't go to the May Fest or Jeff. County Fair just to get the fried dough. 
...You haven't been belly up at the bar on "flip night" at Coach's. I live in Charlotte, NC. When my Mom told me Art's Jug opened in Mooresville, NC I knew I was in heaven.....the cherry peppers they use in the antipasto......the sausage on the pizza.....the BEST!!! I've been away from Watertown for about 10 years now....a 1992 grad of IHC.....very happy to share in the many memories of my home town......I do miss it! 
- Bill in North Carolina

[5/10/03, 9:11 p.m.]
...you don't remember these Kellyisms...Mr. Joseph Kelly, 12 grade physics, 1972 - Beat your gums - Ricky ticky - Yyyeeessss!?! - Read it of the insides of your eyelids - What label, plums on a pear tree? - Acceleration due to throwing pineapples? - You just can't make this stuff hard! - My aching persnackity - Fudge factor - Is this too hard for you mental giants, hmmmm? - Anything on your, ha ha ha, mind? - Bully for our team - God's country - Isn't that Tom Terrific, hmmm? - One of the better failing marks - Sirrah madam - This is a snap course; all you gotta do is know it. - Sirrah flunky - Who has the majority of the votes? Good ol' Uncle Joe! - This is a democracy. I just have 51% of the vote. - If you are right and I am wrong, my answer is right. - What label, apples in a peach orchard? - ijut - Exactly the same, only different - Golly Ned - Don't touch the gear! - di-fug-alty - Is everybody happy? - Do you get the idea? Does that make sense to everyone? - Get another point and you'll double your average - When you look into a mirror (if you have the nerve)... - Got nose trouble? - Take your head off and hold it in your lap - Number next one - tee-jous - Suuuure it is - My heart bleeds all over the lots for you! 
- Cathy Abel Caiazzo, WHS '72 Central Bridge, NY

[5/6/03, 4:11 p.m.]
Okay all you Sand Flat kids in the mid 60s. 
-Kostyks playground in the summer -The ice rink with George Carpenter and the tin shack we used to try and keep warm in after cutting through the back lots 
-Hearing Mr Felice's whistle to call his sons home and watching them run!!!! -Playing kick the can at night -Softball between Puccia's and Busler's houses and between the the liquor store and Messina's house on Arsenal Street (now McDonalds) 
-"Park your car 25 cents" during the Jefferson County Fair 
-Sleding down Burdick's hill on the left side where the rock was. (suicide on a tobagan) 
-St Anthony's school and the Philipini sisters. Frs. Brunett, MacFadden, Conti. 
-Little League baseball at Rand Field 
-Watertown stock car races 
-Derrigo's and Tony's fruit stands on Bellew Avenue and the little stand operated by my Great Grandparents Tina Ma and Joe Molinari. 
-Mt. Carmel Feasts (spaghetti suppers, fried bread dough, italian cookies made by our own grandmothers, aunts and mothers) 
-Going up against cross-town rivals in basketball (Holy Family, Sacred Heart, St. Pats) then joining as one at IHC. 
-Rushing home from the bus to watch a new soap opera 
 Dark Shawdows. 
The word "richness" takes on a whole new meaning when we remember when. Thanks for them all! 
- Mary Anne in Bosnia

[5/2/03, 8:11 p.m.]
Well I grew up in Watertown in the 70's and 80's here is what I can remember:
*My gramma picking me up from kindergarten at Holy Family school {1/2
day kindergarten} and walking to the Lincoln League for lunch. Or
some days it would be Shulers's she would get a bar -b-q and I would
color on my kangaroo menu.
*Going to Carol's for clamwich's and collecting the character
glasses..like roadrunner and kool cat{my mom still has the whole set}
*Shopping with mom on Saturdays at JCPenneys on Arsenal Street,
Empsall's, Howlands, Thom Mcan, The catholic shop in the arcade,
Robinson's, of course the Karmel Korn shoppe in the arcade. We would
always get a warm apple dumpling at the little restaurant in
Woolworth's.
*Warm rice pudding at the Crystal
*Going to Thompson zoo and seeing the monkey's , bears, and the lion's{
Tim & Kim}
*My ears pierced at Rays and my "Dorothy Hamill haircut" on my 10th 
bday
*My first bike at Ken's bike shop on Factory St.
*Taking gymnastics from Dick at Dees.
*Whole week off from school during the Blizzard of '77
*My parents taking us to the drive inn. We would get our pjs on, go to
A&W {I loved to get those little mugs}. I thought it was so cool how
they brought your order to the car and hung it on the window, then we
would go to the Black River Drive inn.
*I was on the Bobbie's birthday show and totally embarrassed myself!
*GE cablevision was on State Street next to Carol's
*WOTT radio on Gifford Street- I love trick or treating there. They 
gave out 45's
*Cider from the Burrville cider mill
*Doughnuts from Jeans Beans
*Oriental Village
*Roller Rink on Mill St. {the hair was now at the "wing" stage, the comb
in the back pocket, and the shirt with the rainbow that started on one
sleeve and went all the way to the other sleeve}
*Twilight 22{ I completely wore out my Grease and Saturday Night Fever
albums. 
*Hangin out at the library after school{I learned everything I needed 
to know about girl issues from Judy Blume Books (Are you there God? It's 
Me Margaret.) 
*Going skiing at Thompson Park Ski Tow. Taping my gloves a million 
times because the rope would tear them up..or I'd just slide back and let the
person behind me bring me up!=)
*Shopping downtown on Saturdays {that's uptown to all my "Italian"
friends in the "flats"} Tops and Bottoms, Barbara Moss..they were the
"cool stores" {zena jeans, manisha, guess}
*Getting beer?? Not 18?? That's ok..Go to Major's market!
*Partying on Gillette road, Cook Rd, Helsinki, the Park

[4/25/03, 8:11 p.m....you don't remember the Commador on Factory Street, Baron Demone on the TV from Syracuse, Joey Reynolds WKBW Buffalo, Big Daddy's Subs on the square, BJ's, The Happening at Kellogg Hill, Clam Shed, my friends Tim Flavin & Al Jackson, shaking hands with Bobby Kennedy on the square and at the Times building, skateboarding down Gotham St. and then down Thompson Blvd., problems with my long hair, no socks at school and being sent home for it, football with Rep. McHugh at Knickerbocker school (not a rep. then of course), Gary, Marshall, Ed, George, Tim and the crew, being drafted and going down to the old Woolworth's to get the bus to Syracuse Airport then Ft. Dix, Jack's Harley outer Bradley St., cruising the square and Thompson Park, going to The Bay (Pirates Roost, The Swinger, Alexander's Ragtime), Pine Lodge, The Timbers, California Brewery, Gaslight, Watertown Bowl. Thanks for the memories.  - Ed in North Carolina

[4/22/03, 10:11 a.m.]
...you don't remember Mr Peanut walking on the American Corner.
...you don't remember Johnny DeVito's blue popcorn wagon and buying the small paper bags of peanuts.
...you don't remember  The Kiwanis Shows at the high school.
...you don't remember Coach Howard Neale or being smacked side your head in his class if he got mad at you.
...you don't remember Patsey Brindesi's Music Studio on William St.
...don't remember Baker Pharmacy and the soda fountain and Bill Abbott and Bill Fletcher holding court for hours after school.
...don't remember the Watertown Police call boxes on the main intersections or the officers walking "the beat".
...you don't remember Herb Cardinals Market on Washington St and then on State St.
...you don't remember Carl's Auto Store where Severance Photo is now.
...you don't remember the S &H Green Stamp and the Plaid Stamp Stores.
...you don't remember Steve Kellners Wrecker Service on State St.
We were pretty lucky kids to grow up in that era. Life was so simple .
Bill..... from good old Watertown NY, I stayed and will never leave.

[4/19/03, 11:55 a.m.]
...you don't remember where the Egan Rest Area was.
...you have never ridden the roller coaster at Kiddy Land.
...you have never had bean shooter wars on Cadwell Street.
...you never followed the mailman to Ashkar's for a dime soda.
...you never smelled the wonderful odors from the Arlington Bakery.
...you have never had a phosphate from Baker's.

[4/19/03, 10:17 a.m.]
...you don't remember getting both the Syracuse Herald Journal and the Syracuse Post-Standard delivered on Sundays.  I did that sometimes using a toboggan due to all the snow we had.
...you don't remember back in the '50's the manager of the A&P supermarket in Arsenal Street named McRae.  I think he only hired people with Irish or Scottish names.
...you never went to the meat market next to Park Drive on State Street where the butcher would ask, "Do you want to eat it here or take it with you?"
...you never threw water-filled balloons on porches at Halloween time.
...you didn't know Betty and Herb Cooper who ran a grocery store way up on Franklin Street and also led the student fellowship group for years at Emanuel Congregational Church.
Ed in Sun City, Arizona

[4/18/03, 11:08 a.m.]
...you don't remember the "South Shore Road Band" was called "The Knights" when they alternated with "Ed Wool & the Nomads" at Gene's Inn in 1965-1967 someone.
...you don't remember that "The Knights" cut a 45 RPM called "Wear My Ring", which was as good as the pros.
...you didn't buy square pizza with sausage topping from the Pizza Pit on Coffeen Street.
...you didn't eat Italian Food at the State Restaurant on State Street.
...you didn't get Italian take out food from Canales on Breen Avenue. (Bring your own bowl).
...you don't remember Robert Halls on Outer Washington, or Century's on West Main.
Robert in New Jersey

[4/18/03, 11:08 a.m.]
...you tried to locate a business here, and was shot down by someone, Mayor, City Council, City Engineer, Code Enforcer or The historic Society.
...you have never been told to paint your house by a communist.
...you can 't get away with something that a city worker can.
...your property tax which are already extremely high, haven't been raised in the past 365 days.
...your sidewalks are in better condition than the streets, but you still have to replace your sidewalks.
...until the code enforcer is knocking on your door with a complaint from a neighbor because you dumped garbage in your dumpster, but the garbage did not come from the property the dumpster is from, so it is considered a transfer site. (the builders of the new court complex are doing the same thing).
Robert in Watertown

[4/18/03, 8:48 a.m.]
...you don't remember the dancing at the Cobblestone.
-Mary in Syracuse

[4/17/03, 2:16 p.m.]
...you don't remember all of the great gas stations on Arsenal Street like Wayne's Gulf, Neal's Exxon, Paris Bros. Shell, and Pat's AMOCO.  Boy, I sure miss Watertown. Moved to Florida back in the 80s.  
-Wayne in Lehigh Acres, Florida

[4/17/03, 11:19 a.m.]
...you've never paraded down Butterfield Avenue with Frank Sacci.
...you've never listened to "Dr. Demento" on WOTT after midnight.
...you don't remember Michael E. Wilson.
...you've never eaten Italian Ice at Le Gelateria.
...you've never watched the fireworks from the Mt. Carmel Feast.
...you've never gotten ice cream from the Walton's barn.
...you can't remember when McDonald's was the only fast food place.
...you've never bought anything from Gorri's market.

[4/16/03, 7:19 p.m.]
...you don't remember Phil Esposito, Sugar Ray Leonard and Kevin McHale appearing at the Salmon Run Mall during its grand opening.
- Kevin in Kissimmee, Florida

[4/16/03, 5:56 p.m.]
...you can't remember when there was a Super Duper AND a P&C in Seaway Plaza and the fire there in 1984
...you don't remember Fred Angel's country music
...you don't remember T-93 FM
...you don't remember going to the mall's opening day
...you weren't part of the mall's 'elite walkers group'
...you haven't had ice cream at Puff's or Frosty's
...you don't remember the city buses being sky blue
...you don't remember the Snowtown USA festivities
...you don't remember when the Thompson Park Zoo had real lions
...you don't remember when Watertown had TWO hosiptals
...you don't remember when Pratt St. connected Washington and Holcomb
...Danny Burgess wasn't the first thing you watched on Saturday morning

There are so many memories i have of growing up as a kid in Watertown during the 80s (I have since moved to Rochester). Too bad you can't turn back time cause when i go home now, many of my memories no longer exist.....Thanks for giving me a great trip down my short memory lane.
-Erin, Rochester, NY

[4/16/03, 3:56 p.m.]
Memories--Born on the sand flats 85 years ago, so been there, did it all and saw it all.  The IRISH ITALION section of town.  How many can remember the Hop House [Beer] at the end of Arsenal Street, near by was a pig farm, no doubt to sweeting the Hops.  Remember the brewery on Martin Street brewed Watertown Cream Ale, didn't last long.  There was a rumor why it closed, so let is be a rumor.

And who can remember the Feds confiscating box cars of Canadian beer, and dumping it in the dump under the Arsenal Street viaduct.  Yes, there was a dump there hack then.  You need a cup or a tin pail as the beer flowed like a river.  I didn't care for it. The home brew that was in most homes on the flats tasted better.  When was it that you last heard the mail man ring twice in one day.  I did it for 30 years that as B.J. (before jeeps).  Still do my walking.  I missed the Blizzard of '77, but climbed a lot of snow banks.  

The Socony gas station at the end of Court Street was run by Charlie Ingersoll who passed away last year just shy of his 100th birthday.  Dorothy was a teacher at North Junior.  I went to South Junior, a nice walk from the Flats to outer Washington St.  How nice it was when you graduated to high school, it was just a short walk to Sterling Street.  Every Friday morning assembly with Garry Jones in the auditorium.  Find me some corn silk and a piece of the old Watertown Standard and I will roll a cigarette, couldn't afford wings, they cost 10 cent a pack.  We will back with more good memories.
 - Charlie in Port Richey, Florida

[4/15/03, 7:56 p.m.]
You never had a Praline from the former candy store in the Paddock Arcade.  It is my fondest memory of Watertown in my growing up years.  Left in 1959.  
-Donna in Tulsa, Oklahoma

[4/15/03, 2:55]
You have never rocked with Wirlwind at Willowbrook! 
- Ben in Windsor, NY (near Binghamton)

[4/15/03, 1:21 p.m.]
You haven't lived in Watertown if you don't ever remember eating at Grieco's Brass Rail and attending St. Anthony's School.  
- Pat, Oswego

[4/15/03, 9:01 a.m.]
In 1953 I helped Jay Harmon pick up some of the paving bricks in Public Square. He made a garage with them in Adams Center on the left side of the highway as you head south. This was the same year the RR overpass was built on Arsenal St. 
- Jim in British Columbia

...you haven't had A Bloody Mary at Poor Richard's on New Year's Day
...you haven't sled Down Thompson Park Hill
...you haven't visited the Flower Memorial Library
...you haven't looked at the City Skyline from Thompson Park
...you haven't had A Tom & Jerry at the Crystal Restaurant
...you haven't visited the Burrville Cider Mill
...you haven't attended a Red & Black Football Game
...you think 12 Inches of Snow Is a Blizzard
...you don't know Who 'Mr. Watertown' Was
...you don't know What S.O.B. Stands For
...you don't know Who Frank W. Woolworth Was

...you didn't go to Dandee Donuts after school (Holy Family) or during church.
...you didn't go to the side entrance of Art's Jug on Halloween and get your free slice of pizza.
...you didn't spend a night partying at Gooney Swamp.
...you didn't spend half a day, with the teachers, lost on the trails behind Wiley School.
...you didn't get a case of the long neck bottles of Pepsi at the Pepsi Plant.
...you didn't get fresh baked Italian bread on Saturday mornings at Spaziani's Bakery.
...you never shopped at Barbara Moss.
...you never went roller-skating in the gym at Holy Family School.
...you never went parking on Ridge Rd.

...you have never eaten Cheese Curd

...you Haven't Eaten Croghan Bologna
...you Haven't Eaten Fried Dough at the May Festival
...you Don't Know Where Jerry Lewis Blvd. Is
...you Haven't Witnessed a Fight at the California Brewery
...you Never Saw a Porno at Starlit Drive-In on Washington St
...you don't remember having beef barbecues @ Howards. Three for a buck.

...You don't remember the Armory on Arsenal Street and the Sheriffs office and jail on lower Court St just before the Globe Dept Store

...You Didn't Appear on the 'Danny Burgess Show' or Bobbi's Birthday Show or The Ward Hamilton Show(filmed at Cablevision Channel 10 on State St.)

...You Don't Remember the Avon, Olympic, Palace and Town Theaters

...You Don't Remember Swimming in the Massey Street Fire Station.

...You don't remember Ward Hamilton saying "Watertown Savings Bank...down Dividend Dr"

...you never Had an Ice Cream from Puff's
...you never Went to KITE DAY at Thompson Park.
...you don't remember Nil and Jess Bakery on Factory Square.
...you can't remember the A & P store on State street or Sears Roebuck on the Square.
...you don't remember the body storage building  out behind the old City Hall.

...you have forgotten the beautiful chandeliers in the railroad station and the underground access to the outer tracks

...you don't remember the Greyhound station on the corner of Mill and Factory St.  (the Greyhound was preceded by the Colonial motor coach line, whose garage still stands on VanDuzee St.)

...you Don't Remember Kentucky Fried Chicken Being on the Square
...you never had ice cream cone rolls from Mannie"s
...you never got kicked out of Musselman's, by big John, on a Saturday night after the YMCA teen dance.
...you never danced at the Odd Fellows Hall to the music of Ward Hamilton's band.
...you Never rode the street cars.
...you Don't Remember Trains Traveling Down the Center of Factory Street

...you Never Had Pizza from Aunt Amelia's (now Coleman's Corner).

...you don't remember the Gotham Street Market, Clay Street Market, Guardino's Market, Major's Market, Nic's Variety and Ashkar's.

...You Don't Remember "Speedy" DeCastro's  Barber Shop in the Arcade.

...You Don't Remember the Great Aromas from the Karmelkorn Shop.
...You Don't Remember the Smell of Fresh Bread from the Mohigan Market
...You Don't Remember 3 Islands in the Middle of Public Square.

...You Don't Remember the YMCA being a dump, and the entrance was on Washington Street

...You Don't Remember the 10-cent Hot Buttered Popcorn from the TWO vendors on the Square.
...You Don't Remember the Popcorn Man 

...You Don't Remember a Cop "Stationed" at the American Corner.

...You Don't Remember Bradley Hardware, The Unity Building, the S & S Market and Holstein's Men's Shop with entrances on both Court and Arsenal Streets.

...You Don't Remember the 5:05 traffic jams on Public Square (caused by the Air Brake's shift change).

...You Don't Remember the weekend dog sled rides along Park Drive and the Park Circle Ice Rink.

...You Don't Remember WCNY, Channel 7, with one camera (black and white). News film was sent to Rochester for processing and shown at a later date.

...You don't remember "house calls" by Drs. Bennie Mecklin, Jack Mishkin and Chris Ronson.

...You don't remember the Freeman bus stops in front of Empsalls, theWoodruff, the Electric Building and both the front and side of Woolworth's.

...You don't remember DeVito's hot dog stand at Watertown Center. Hoffman hotdogs were 20 cents.

...You don't remember South Junior. And Thompson School on Moore Avenue.

...You don't remember when the Salmon Run Mall was just farm land.

...You don't remember Jack Case and "Good Day to Good Sports."
...You don't remember professional wresting at the Fairgrounds. Yukon Eric. Verne Gagne. And even Joe Louis.
...You don't remember WATN broadcasting from the top floor of the NNY Trust Company.
...You don't remember local radio newsmen Don Hopkins, Bob Tompkins, Ken Hunter, and Joe Rich.
...You don't remember Tony Malara as the "Atlantic Weatherman" in full uniform on Channel 7
...You don't remember Tony Malara as "Pow Wow the Indian Boy" submitted by Bob in Colorado
...You don't remember Newberry's Pet Shop in the Woodruff alley, Whelan's, Law's Drug Store at the apex of Court and Arsenal, the American Legion at the site of the corner of Clinton and Washington Streets and the White House tourist home at the site of the State Office Building.

...You don't remember when Niagara Mohawk was on Public Square
...You don't remember the underpass on the former Court Street Bridge

"Keep Herr in Mind," Herr Fashion Shop;
"The Place to Go For the Names You Know," J.R. Miller's, and
"Pay Ray Pay Day," Ray's Jewelers

...You don't remember the toy section upstairs in Karl's Auto (now Severance Photo)
...You didn't get your ears pierced at Rays Jewelers
...You've never had a honey dip doughnut or fried fish from Jeans Beans...You don't remember the skating rink at the Park Circle and the Popcorn truck there on a winter day.
...You don't remember the swimming meets at the Thompson Park Pool .  
...You didn't get your first bike from the Schwinn Shop on Factory St
...You don't know who Joan Jones is..

The Eleanor restaurant on State St.  High School dances at the YM on the Square with the entrance on Washington St.

Librarian Helen Talbert at Flower Memorial Library...shhhhhhh.....and J. Reese Price at the Historical Society.

Vic Remorino teaching science at WHS during the school year and selling boat tour tickets in Clayton during the summer.

The Market Basket on Washington Street, Sowan's on State Street and the A&P next to the fire station on Arsenal Street.....Wilbur's Discount City.....Grieco's Brass Rail, the New Parrot, The Music Box, Morgia's, Canale's and Howard's....Star Cab....Max Alpert, himself....

...You didn't know John C. Thompson, who gave the Park to the city--anonymously......
...You don't remember Watertown police on motorcycles.

...You Don't Remember a mug of A&W root beer brought to your car window on Bradley Street...You Don't Remember K-Mart being on Washington Street not Arsenal Street
...You Don't Remember People Having "I Do It, Do You?" Red Bumper Stickers on their cars...You Don't Remember When Coca-Cola Was Across from Case Junior High School...You Don't Remember When Pete's Restaurant was on Factory Street, not Breen Ave

...You Don't Remember Auto Racing at the Fairgrounds

Arlington Bakery on Arlington St.; Tearoom  down stairs Empsall's; Ice skating rink where Med. 
Arts is now called Knowlton Park (I think); Ann's Stand Arsenal St. hot dogs; Roller rink Fairgrounds; Stock car races fairgrounds; wading pool at park; Cafeteria on Square down from YWCA; Jerry's Hotel Arsenal St.  dances near the firebarn; The Sugar Bowl near Baptist church ; 
Maggie's newspapers on Arsenal St. near firebarn Mannie's Ice Cream corner Arsenal & Massey Angels Popcorn & Soda fountain Arsenal St, near Avon Theater; Olympic Rest. on state St. next to Olympic Theater  

If You Don't Remember....The Ice Cream Store Next to the Arsenal Fire Station that sold ice cream in long skinny boxes..."Live" Monster Movie Shows at The Avon Theater and Battle of the bands there too!..The Model Shop on Arsenal near the Avon.....The Slot Car Raceway...
Danny B. telling you to Beee good....You're O.K. with K.O...That little ole transmission man ME! ...
The record shop on the square above the Jewelry store...Ed Wool and the Nomads...........
The Woolworth lunch counter...The Newberry's lunch counter...

You haven't lived in Watertown if you don't remember going to the park hill at 1 am when the old jail house closed, listening to Ed Wool and the nomads at the odd fellows hall, the model car raceway on the square next to the Olympic theater, Mr. Feistal (? Spelling) at the high school, the Woodruff Hotel on the square, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels at the old armory (where woolworths is today.) The fight/riot at Holy Family School dance, where the police cars were flipped over, soap suds in the fountain, peanut park, and hitch hiking to wescott's beach, what a great place to have grown up.

Do you remember the restaurants along Factory Street, Anchor Grill (my dad's), Charlie Phillips, Pete Costanzo's and yes Art's Jug;  J.J. Capone's Warehouse and all the other business that lined the street.  The Trolley tracks and trolley that went right through the street. I remember and thank God I have the "old memories".  Thank you for this reminder.

if you never listened to the juke box at Art's 5th Wheel on Coffeen St....if you don't remember Public Square packed with Saturday morning shoppers...

...if you never went to see "Moondance" at Alexanders in the Seaway Shopping Plaza.

* If you had not been ice skating behind Case Junior high
* Enjoyed live Musical theater by Lyric theater
* Gone to great high school basketball with Vic, Dick, Frank, Don and Scott
* If you don't remember being safe anywhere you went..and not having to lock your doors at night.
* Hot cocoa at the Crystal after Caroling with school chorus-Mr. Bermaster
* J.C. Penney's with "flying money holders" sent on wire through the
air to an office to make change for customers (what is that called?)
* the Bee-hive with wooden floors, where you could find everything you needed to buy
* Southwicks beach void of commercial invasion- was a great place to be on a long summer's day
* Brookside cemetery...the most beautiful place of Rest or to visit
* Watertown before "Urban Renewal"..the beginning of the end of the Great Square and the the beauty of downtown Watertown...the raising of all the buildings on Arsenal and Court to construct the eye sore of the Urban Renewal's idea of the Future.
* If haven't lived in Watertown if you didn't know your neighbor

Remember the old Watertown Bowl and next to that was a disco tech called Twilight 22.....

The Par Market on Mill Street, the Olympic Restaurant on State Street, the Red Moon and Red Star Diners on Court Street, the Victoria Theater on the Square, Condes Hardware, Mohigan Store where you ground your own coffee.

...You don't remember stebbins stadium on ohio street next to jeans beans..the scoreboard, the
concession stand, dug outs and PA announcer
watn skating and hockey assoc.outdoor rink on ohio street next to stebbins..cold, uneven with concrete hard  boards...the knickerbocker rink...better boards, shack tackle football on sundays near the park circle on crisp fall days the south shore road band anywhere but esp.the pirates roost in the bay,  the olympic theatre and holy family/sacred heart dances; case jr's brick and wood smelling gym anywhere in the park in the summer..esp the concerts on the grass slope, the
park pool and those freezing showers, the wading pool and those llammas and monkeys at the zoo

...You don't remember the "Owl Man"
...You didn't play sandlot baseball at North Junior
...You don't remember how South siders felt about the North Side
...You don't remember The A&P store on Arsenal St....You haven't seen a high school basketball game in the old Armory
...You haven't purchased fire works at the New Parrot

...I also remember calling the phone booths in the arcade and a man we called shaky jakey who always could be found in the arcade. Also, I remember charlie redfox, and believe it or not, Ray Canale recently hit on my daughter at Walmart. Now, THAT'S funny!! Loved your website. What Memories!!!

If you don't remember Mr. Staley at John C. Thompson School
If you don't remember Lucky Horning
If you never bought your baseball glove at Cahills
If you never visited the pet store at the Woodruff or peeked at the go go girls after hours
If you didn't pay 35 cents for a double feature with a cartoon at the Town Theatre
If you didn't see Bobby Kennedy on Public Square
If you didn't run suicides for Coach Kibling or do circuit training with Coach Guardino
If you don't remember who Bob Klock was.  

Have not had a Tom and Jerry at the Crystal over the Christmas holidays
Do not remember the Watertown Athletics professional baseball team
Never had a Pee Wee..a soft drink made in Watertown
Do not know who was Watertown's Own Rocket
Never had a drink with Fred Exley in Watertown or Alex Bay
Never thought the Watertown High Cheerleaders were always the prettiest and the most talented
Never knew that Carolyn O' Riley was the prettiest of the cyclone cheerleaders..ever
Never spent all Saturday mornings at the YMCA watching old movies
Never knew that Frank Badalato was the Executive Producer of Top Gun
Never knew that Bob Hickey of Broadway Avenue was a Top Gun pilot and retired an admiral
Never discovered Brett Street as a great place to "park" right inside the city
Do not recall the North Side Sinners
Do not recall the trip to Rome for the last game of the football season..and the fights and the long ride home
Do not recall having your first underage beer out of town at Ma Tifts in Clayton
Do not remember the great Christmas gatherings of college students over the Christmas holidays at Jaspers
Do not remember that the first escalator in Watertown was at the "new" J C Penny Store.
Do not remember the long rides to and from O Briens in Clayton to hear the Nomads
Do not know that the best antipasto salad anywhere in the world is served at Art's Jug.
great web site, I am home sick

...You never had a $.25 hamburger at Carols. Or, lost a card door there.

Hey "ya'll", thanks for the memories of my childhood and growing up in Watertown.  Lots of things on the "you haven't lived in Watertown..." section that I'd forgotten. Have a happy holiday season. Regards, Don Bergevin, Class of '63

It was IHA, Immaculate Heart Academy...on W. Main, and spending the summers at your local neighborhood playgrounds (wards), taking bus trips to the park to swim, and planning all summer for the big parades when each playground vied for the best float!
Steve & Diane (AKA The Kettle Corn people) from FL

...You don't remember getting dragged up the park ski tow or the spring water coming out of the pipes on rt# 12

Swimming at the John Q. Adams swimming pool behind North Junior High or Ice skating at the ice rink behind N. Junior High I beleive it was on Division St. or Eating Bar-B-Q's at Howard's restaurant  (they were served with gravy either beef/or  pork with coleslaw)

Ward Hamilton describing a nice spring day as "It's a blinger!"

...if you never listened to the juke box at Art's 5th Wheel on Coffeen St....
...if you don't remember Public Square packed with Saturday morning shoppers.....
...if you never went to see "Moondance" at Alexanders in the Seaway Shopping Plaza...

Remember when boys would try to sneak a peak through the windows at the strippers at the hotel Woodruff and The Clock Grill?

Remember all the fruit stands through out the city?

...You didn't stand outside in line at the Stateway Plaza to see the 'Star Wars' movies

...You have never lived in Watertown if you ever passed by Cahill's sporting goods store without going in and punching a pocket in the new baseball gloves...

How about the "Sugar Bowl" soda shop and the "Hobby Shop" on lower State St. across from the Olympic and the Elanor Restaurant! BTW--Severances used to be the original J.C. Penney's, Karls Auto was across the alley where Urban Renewal started! And could we forget Montgomery Wards on lower Court (where the new "parking garage" is now!)

do you remember "Tex" walking with the whs band downtown, and when he died
the students in all schools in the city took up a collection for his funeral expenses

do you remember montgomery ward store on court street, where now is the parking lot

do you remember st. patricks orphanage

do you remember all the schools, that are now gone, hamilton, academy, state, arsenal and boon

do you remember the banks locations, nny trust company, national bank of nny and jefferson county savings bank and the savings and loan on arsenal

do you remember the crowds in the globe, grants, newberry's, empsalls, newberrys at christmas time

do you remember balfour's cigar/tobacco/news in the lower flower of the hotel woodruff

do you remember the newstand run by Mr. Singleton at the bus stop in front of the Rexall Drug store

You didn't buy your love beads at Mother Wouldn't Like It...Have Helen Emerson serve you a perfect Tom Collins at Jaspers on those jam-packed Friday nights...Have a Lime Ricky at the Newberry's soda fountain next to the Hotel Woodruff lobby...Watch the convoys head to Camp Drum via Thompson Boulevard...Watch Cowboy Cliff on WCNY-TV (no not the Syracuse PBS
station)... Buy your Chevy at Plumpton's... buy your first 45s (mine were the Witch Doctor and the Purple People Eater) upstairs at Henry's....

blue whale parties at Studio One on Factory Street..they were served out of 25 gallon container...

How about when WOTT 1410AM was the only rock & roll station in Watertown and had studios on State Street near Carroll's hamburgers?

Remember when the station changed it's format & "Gary Bee" did the "Mutiny in the Radio Station" broadcast?

I just read the "you have never lived in Watertown if..."section and am STILL smiling.  I just moved back to Watertown after living in central NY for a few years and this just was so perfect of what I remember of Watertown!  Being born and raised here for 34 years I remember a lot of that.  So where was the first place I go to eat with my new love....ARTS JUG!.  ok...I am a pasta junkie and you make the best ever! thanks for the smile..

the record store was above Henry's Jewelers and the guy that sold the bikes at the Schwinn Shop was my (now deceased ) father-in-law Mr. Richard Erwin. thanks for the memories

Remember the North Country Rambler or Jerry McGee country and western bands on WATN.

North Country Rambler Square and Round Dances at the Square Dance Ranch (Adams Center), Railroad Barn (Sackets Harbor), or in the fire barn (LaFargeville) or in Black River 

You don't remember. . . or aren't trying to forget at least some of the wild and crazy days of the '50s bar-hoppin' scenes that included hangouts like Pete & Annie Ligamari's Cobblestone "Restaurant", watching Ramie Canale do his thing to the blare of "Pinky Marlette's" titillating trumpet and Nate Spano's percussion perfectionisms at the old "Club Colonial".  Then head on out to Ray LaBounty's "Music Box" for smooth tunes by Ray at the piano or swing on down to "Gene's Inn" for a lecherous look at the bump & grind of the sweet and sensuous "Strippers".

.....you didn't dial SU2-9480 and get a little old lady recording on the other end saying "time now..6:05...temperature -32 degrees.

...on watn at Christmas time Santa would always say Lo-Ville instead of Lowville when he read a letter. Do you remember when Howards on Mill St. was a gas station. Do you remember how wet Cecil Merchant's shirt looked, he carried the block of ice he was delivering to your house on his right shoulder. Many of us will fondly remember Pop Scholl the High School Principal. I can still hear #1 The steam calliope or steam organ at the circus. Great to remember watching the circus unload from the train on Bradley st.  #2 The little steam whistle on Mr. Devitos popcorn cart as he wheeled it through the city. Pete Costanzo playing the Mandolin while Rose was making that good spaghetti sauce in the kitchen. The French fries were always made to order. The vaudeville acts at The Avon on Sunday afternoon. The ice covered road and bridge when the wind would blow the spray from the river on Mill St. Going with Mr. Scribner on Sat. down to the rail yard and riding the on the steam switcher making up trains. What a wonderful neighbor he was. Mr John Cole Scout Master, keeper of the stove at the ice rink at No. Junior .

Enjoyed the "You haven't lived in Watertown if you don't remember..." Of course being a North-sider I could see you catered some of it towards the South-siders  HA! .....that must be where you grew up huh??!!

If you don't remember the comic book store next to Arsenal St fire station
If you don't remember the "Roller Rink" or the Ampitheatre
If you never had a beer at BJ's
If you didn't play in a Church League basketball game at Trinity Church
If you didn't play baseball in the morning and football in the evening at the Army Reserve Center on Massey St
If you don't remember that Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig visited the orphanage many years ago
If "Uncle Joe" never taught you physics or "Vic" never taught you chemistry
If you don't remember Leonard or Larry at the YMCA
If you didn't play basketball all Saturday morning at the YMCA
If you don't know who Hank Dardin, Dan Woodard or Stephen Howard  are
If you don't wish that everything you read from the top down to here still existed.
I miss that Watertown, I wish my sons could have grown up then in this city.  It was the best!

WOTT -D.J. "Bubbling" Bill Walker and putting a WOTT Kleenex box in the back window of your car to win prizes........Rozzie Clark selling papers by the Arcade .........Woolworth's, your "official" Beatle headquarters........Jet gas...Carroll's Hamburgers, the hamburger place that came before McDonalds .....Weston's Shoppers City........The Bargain Center..........Grand Union grocery store....."Happy" Helmer's bait shop that stood at the Corner of Arsenal and Haney where Jrecks is now, before ANY of Arsenal St. was developed....The building of I-81...

...you don't remember the North Country Ramblers.

Mrs. Remorino saying that she was "the queen of Room 102," and all those terrfically high grades she gave in 11th grade English classes...

the fizzies that somehow ended up in Mr. Clinch's fish tank at Case Junior High School...

Going to JCC and seeing half your high school graduating class enrolled there...

taking the city bus home after freezing to death on Public Square and shopping at Empsall's and Barbara Moss...

You haven't lived in Watertown if you don't always emphasize that you live in upstate New York, the good part of the state!

praying for a snow day so that you could stay home from school...

going to summer school at WHS so that you could end up with at least a 90% in a class for that Regents High School Diploma...and meeting boys from all those little outlying towns

...You don't remember the South Shore Road Band

...You haven't listened to Frank Sacci's music at least twice

...Hello--What a web page--I want to move back to Watertown and be a kid again-But I know that would only be a dream!!!!!!--GREAT JOB!!!!!!   --Tampa Bay, Florida

...Thanks for keeping us informed (and homesick). --Junction City, Kansas

...Visiting this website frequently gives me the home town feeling. I especially like the Public Square Cam. When I come home I always stop at Arts Jug and enjoy a perfect antipasto salad.

I don't know who wrote the article "Never lived in Watertown" but, boy who ever it was really hit the nail right on the head. Very good -- enjoyed it - and yes I remember -- most of it.

Arsenal Street school and St. Pats across from each other.
Going to the Arsenal St. Fire house for a class trip.
The Brass fire pole that started in sleep quarters
sliding down Arsenal St. bridge on the Garns side, Cardboard in summer, Sled with runners in winter.
Nelly Crescent and the Crescents store
having frog legs at Morgias rest.
Getting pizza from Hank Spaziani's
getting candy at Milts store.
Track 14 where big apple is now
Calling that end of town "the Flats"
the Miles of Dirt Trails behind Blue Seal Feeds.
West End Cafe
The "vendors" with the shopping carts on the square.
Pete the barber in Carbone's plaza
Carbone's plaza
Purple passion soda
The Ice Cream store I think it was Teddy's? where AAMCO is now.
looking for a leprechaun on St. Patrick's day on the Square
Puff's
Home Deli Subs
WOTT   WOTT fun Radio
WPBS was a Wicks store
you didn't try to get on the Party line with you phone
The "B" in Burrville
The Honda shop on W. Main.
NY Flyer
Whirlwind
10 cent Drafts at Alexander's lounge(Thursday I think)
Danny Burgess
Glen Goff <sp>
Going to Wiley School  in the first years
Having Mrs. Forbes for a teacher
Stock Car Races at the Fairgrounds
Shorty Robinson

...You haven't lived in Watertown if you never had ten cent drafts at The Lounge in Seaway Plaza... Too much fun !

Anybody remember dancing to the Vibrations at Coed in the "Y"?

...You never bought a bag of penny candy from Eveleigh's on State Street (now Poor Richard's).

...You don't remember eating steamed clams, for $.50 / dozen on Friday nights, at the Silver Grill, preferable washed down with a cold Rupperts beer.

...You didn't play miniature golf or ride the "cages" at KiddieLand at the Watertown Bowl.
...You didn't play billiards at the AMF Billiard Center at the Watertown Bowl.
...You didn't skate in the winter and play baseball in the summer at Kostyk Field.
...You didn't go to the Liberty Theater on Court Street because it cost less than the Avon and Olympic theaters.
...You don't remember the Carriage House Motor Inn on Washington Street.
...You didn't attend some kind of sports banquet at the Hotel Woodruff.
...You don't remember the IACA (Italian-American Civic Association).
...You haven't bought fresh fruit or vegetables from Johnny Marra or the Derrigo's Stand.
...You didn't buy KarmelKorn or candied apples from Charlie Close in the Arcade on Saturdays
...You haven't attended St. Anthony's Mt. Carmel Feast and had a sausage and pepper sandwich.
...You didn't eat Chinese food at Will Gee's.
...You didn't got to the County fair and eat fresh taffy.
...You don't remember Freem Powers, coach Chuck "Bear" Woodell, Ralph "Scoop" Casterella, and Matt Branski.
...You didn't shop for a men's suit with Vic Leone at JR Millers or buy clothes at Boys and Mens Specialty.
...You don't remember the big sign at Knowlton Brothers just off the square that told you how many days they had been operating without a "lost time accident" in the days before OSHA.
...You didn't get a little nervous walking on the iron grate sidewalk of the VanDuzee Street bridge over the Black River.
...You don't remember the "parking lot walkers" between Case Junior and WHS.
...You didn't buy a paper or magazine at Traver's in the Arcade.
...You don't remember the spring all-you-could-eat bullhead feeds.
...You didn't buy flowers at Sammy's Florist.
...As a kid you never went to the Star Lit or Black River drive in theater on a Saturday night to see the ten cartoons before the movie.

Attended the Dairyland Festival Parade

Roller Skating at the Fairgrounds with Jack Briceland at the organ

Tried out the old wooden ski jump on the "Second State Street Hill"

Spent time at the Doghouse

Ate a triple-dip at Hershey's on the corner of Mead and West Main

Gone on a neighborhood hayride or sleigh ride

Drank one of Mrs. Eveleigh's world class milk-shakes

Supplemented your Burrville Cider with a sugar doughnut from Sowan's

If you don't remember skinny dipping at night at the north jr. pool

Pink bellies and running pants up the flag pole

Indian day competition with all the local school playgrounds competing for 1st prize

Getting a red plastic fireman's hat every year, on fire safety day at school

Making your own skateboard and riding thru the police station parking lot while they built the building on Washington St.

Walking up the park hill to go swimming

If you don't remember how beautiful the downtown was before they tore the heart out of it and left what's there today

Remember the long winding sidewalk to Thomson Park but you could take 100 stone steps to get to the top of the hill to go swimming or to the zoo. Your bathing suit was rolled up in a towel. Whelan's drug store for a coke and French fries too if you had enough money after school.  John Simpson's funeral home on State Street where the owner always bought holy childhood stamps from us or girl scout cookies. Remember the Esso station across from WHS with candy bars and gum? Fireworks at St. Anthony's church every Fourth of July. 

Remember the phone company on Stone Street "Number Please." 

Remember pizza at Art's Jug on Friday's when we could not eat meat.

...You haven't lived in Watertown if you didn't stop for a hot chocolate at Everleigh's on the way home from skating or sliding.

...You never had the HUGE ice cream sunday from the Rutland Hills Dairy Store in Watertown Center.

...You never swam in the toilet bowl looking swimming pool they called the North Junior Pool before they tore it down and built the new one.  (Which I think really was just a large toilet bowl!)

...You haven't gone sliding on Thompson Park Hill; ice skated on Thompson Schools frozen school yard and warmed yourself in the shack while having your skates retied by cute boys OR your dad; skied at Dry Hill. (from Portland, Oregon)

I remember when Grandpa went to the Lincoln League to shoot pool and play poker. when they had parties and "parking" at Rutland Hollow. when there was a gas station on Newel Street next to the cave entrance. the GO-GO dancers in the window at the Hotel Woodruff (we had to turn our heads when driving by).

You never saw CONTRABAND at the Carriage House

You didn't have champagne brunch at the GOLDEN LION

You never went to a Tri-Y slumber party at the old YWCA and snuck out to the SUB Shop much to Mrs. Guardino's chagrin.  (What a saint!)

You never did some "under age drinking" at Sheps or Bachners in Sackets

You never heard Frank Kirk sing "You are my sunshine"  or were "barred" from Jaspers!

You never heard of the HENRY KEEP HOME

you don't remember when Viggo was just a scrawny kid with a great sense of humor

you've never 'snuck out'  to party on Ives Hill Golf course

you've never smelled wet mittens on the stove at the ice rink at Thompson School or been to girls or boys RECREATION night there.  Mrs. Roux is another saint!

You've never tried to figure out what City of the Future meant

you've never spent your winter trying to look good in Plaza Sportshop clothes at Dry Hill

...You haven't had a Popsicle at Art's Jug.

...You haven't eaten a Jreck Sub

...you didn't swim in the Black River off the RR Tressle behind Black Clawson
...you don't remember Nellie Helmer walking to the Square
...you never ate ice cream sundaes at the lunch counter at J.J. Newberry on Saturdays 
...you never rode your bike UP State Street hill..
...you never walked on the Railroad tracks
...you never went to the Lion's Den
...you never argued with someone over who had the best pizza in town..Art's or Spaziani's
...you never harassed the hall monitors at Case Jr.

...You never played sandlot baseball on any open field you could find. (Thompson, Knickerbocker, Ohio St, Boone St Schools & Temple Street behind the Synagogue

...You never traveled to Sackets Harbor to see CRAC at the Clam Shed

...You never bought those greasy home made donuts at Cooper's grocery on Franklin St, or a fountain soda at Eveleighs when penny candy was truly a penny

...You never visited the museum on Washington Street

...You never ate clams at Bennie's Steak House

...You never frequented these small bars:  Chimes Cafe, The Question Mark, BJ's Bar and Grill, The Brown Shanty

...You never climbed the fence and snuck into a Red and Black game

...WHS sports teams taking long bus rides to Syracuse in the CNYC league (Wedgies in the back of the bus, and rock, paper scissors game until your arms were numb

...You never said "Meet me at the Map" in WHS

...You never walked through the woods in Thompson Park for a whole day, from sunrise to sunset

...You never played tackle football in the road on the hard packed snow and ice

...You never ate at the BEST PIZZA PLACES IN AMERICA:  Art's Jug, Dante's, Spaziani's, Cavalario's, Crescent's (We live in Texas now and nothing comes close)

...You never heard Mr. Staley over the PA system calling for the busses at Thompson School ("OK kids, let's board the Huntington Express")

...You don't remember the Federal Little League games at Stebbins Stadium (The Police, Green's Dairy, A&W Root Beer, etc.) And the time Tony Conigliario came to visit and hit moon shots over the scoreboard, over Jeans Beans, across the road, into East Hills Housing area off the best pitcher in our league

Hi, I'm from the class of 1939, graduated from Watertown High School. I walked three miles
each way from my home. I came from a family of thirteen, only one remaining in the vicinity. All others are scattered from Florida to California, that's me.  Wow! There have been many changes. Last year, my daughter wanted to visit Watertown so she could take a video with conversation showing where I lived, schools attended and any other pertinent information. But it did not come to
pass. I wouldn't have been able to single out familiar places due to the many changes. I did work both in the Crystal And Eleanor Restaurants. I am familiar with the Italian names mentioned. I worked for the Kirkland Family whose father was the barber under the Arcade at the Woodruff Hotel at the time. The S and B Diner is no longer standing. I worked there also. I was a cashier at the Strand Theater, too. I don't believe it is there any longer. Your e-mail brought back many memories. I am glad to have been able to receive it. Thank you for such a lovely time revisiting Watertown, New York.

...you never met Cecil at the Thompson Park Zoo

Don't forget Dr. Lawrence Withington who not only would make house calls but would come in the middle of the night and with a smile on his face.  He also made his rounds one day on a pair of cross country skis while the rest of the city was snowbound.  Office calls were $3.00 and if retired it was $2.00.  He was a good Doctor and we miss him.

...you don't remember making out at raccoon ridge inThompson Park
...you didn't play in the sawdust piles at the Burrville Cider Mill
...you don't remember "Silver toe" kicking the extra point when IHA beat WHS 7 to 6 on Thanksgiving.
...you don't remember IHA's Hollywood Premiers at the Olympic

...you never danced until 2 at the Gaslight
...you never ate cheesecorn from the Popcorn Shop
...you never bought your corduroys from JR Miller's
...you never warmed your mittens on the hot stove in the heated skating shed at Knickerbocker 
...you never attended a rivalry basketball game between IHC and WHS
...you didn't get your braces from Bill Dallas.
...you weren't in love with Art Sboro, Jr in 1969
...you don't know at least one Millard girl.

...you never got a haircut at victor knights
...you never road your bike down st. mary's hill and survived.
...you never walk to school on the road thru waist high leaves
...you don't remember the roar of coal being delivered to your house.
...you never went window shopping at Christmas from Mill street to Court street.

..you never watched the automatic fried cake machine in the Par market on Mill St.
Someone forgot Sally Montana  and Her Plainsmen when mentioning the early country bands on radio.  Harry Ryder's, owner of WATN, classical music show every Sunday

...you never went to Jerry's lounge and danced after school...

...you didn't have a root beer float at Woolworth dept. store after school

..."Vacation" means going to Rochester for the weekend.
...You measure distance in hours.
...You know several people who have hit deer more than once.
...You've used your back porch or the trunk of your car as fridge/deepfreeze.
...You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.
...You use a down comforter in the summer.
...You drive at 65 mph through 13 feet of snow during a ragin blizzard, without flinching.
...You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
...There are quick stops every 1/4-mile, if not, you're in Vermont
...You carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them.
...There are 7 empty cars running in the parking lot at the P&C at any given time.
...You design your grandkid's Halloween costume to fit over a 20 snowsuit.
...Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
...You think sexy lingerie is tube socks and flannel pajamas
...You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, construction.
...You know to avoid tractor trailers (or cars for that matter) on Route 81 with Canadian plates.
...It's SODA! And people who call it POP make you want to slap them.
...You don't consider what Domino's or Pizza Hut sell is Pizza.
...You know that 'First Night' isn't a Sean Connery movie.
...There is no such thing as waiting for the left turn arrow at an intersection.
...Your career ambition is to work for NY State.
...There is nothing International about Syracuse International Airport.

You never went to Martuzas music
You didn't take your picture standing in the middle of downtown during the Blizzard of 77 with no cars in sight
You didn't listen to George Neher or Johnny Spezzano 24/7 during the Ice Storm
You woke up one day and discovered what a "microburst" was
You don't remember "Prophecy", Watertown's first heavy metal band
You don't remember "The Commodore" or "Studio", now Mick's Place
You don't remember when Fat Lenny's was an over and under bar-fenced off half for over 21
You didn't buy a gift for someone at Robinson's in the Arcade
You shopped at Howlands
You rode the elevator at Empsalls with an attendant
You played on the escalators at the new Woolworth's
You remember the old Woolworth's and Bockman's in the plaza on Washington St
You had a turkey dinner at the Harvest House at Grant's and entered a coloring contest
You fed the ducks and geese at Brookside cemetery
Knew that the Board of Education used to be Butterfield School
You remember the fire station on Washington St. across from the high school - now Stratton's Hardware
You went to an Elk's Christmas party for kids at the SOB and went home with a basket of fruit and candy
When AAA was on the square - now Subway
You remember buying cutout albums at Music for You under Woolworth's
You rode the mechanical horses in the lobby of Fay's and P&C
You bought comics at Grant's drugs on the Square

You thought you knew the meaning of loud until "Ronnie Dio and The Prophet's" came to town

...you never had split pea soup with an egg and olive sandwich at Pete's Palace Luncheonette
...you never heard about the best coach Northern New York ever had, Clarence "Boots" Gaffney
...you never saw the scores posted of the world series in front of the old Watertown Daily Times on Arcade street before television.
...you never went to the carnival on outer Mill St. back in the late forties and early fifties
...you never saw the huge hook and ladder truck with driver front from fire house NO.1 making the turn on to public square with sirens blazing, and dreaming to someday grow up to be a fireman
...you never experienced leaving by train from the beautiful depot and watching the last car, & how fast it is taking you from home and family for the first time to report for military service
...you never forgot, no matter where any of us are now, or where ever we have been, or may go, The "ole sod" and roots will forever take us all back, and back, and back.

Remember the Watertown School of Commerce over the Chevy garage on State Street and entertaining the Marines in the ballroom at the Hotel Woodruff

Hey  Old timers...How about great pastries from the Mohican Market And how many of the "Sand Flats Italians" that worked there do you remember? Joe M, Tony S, Frank D, Frankie C. and all the locals like "Woody the Barber" and all the little restaurants in that area. (Rockie and Petes places.) I do as I worked in the Mohican with all those great guys way back in 1958 and rode the bus from Brownville to get there!!  - Minnesota

...you haven't been to Morgia's Clam Shed in Sackets for their summer bash or been to the French Quarters to hear Southbound or been on one of French Quarters winter Hay Rides where you went from bar to bar on a hay wagon.

...you don't remember wading in the Thompson Park Wading Pool (where the blue water tower is)
...you don't remember John Steller teaching you how to bowl on Saturday mornings at the Watertown Bowl
...you don't remember Ken Percy as the first principal at Knickerbocker School
...you don't remember skateboarding down Gotham Street hill on skateboards made by attaching old roller-skate wheels to a flat board
...you don't remember shoveling the ice rink off at Knickerbocker School so you could get a game of hockey going-for free-with no reserved ice time-with no adults anywhere to be seen
...you don't remember Tony C. of the Boston Redsox hit a home run out of Stebbins Stadium Little League field on Ohio Street over Jeans Beans and into the middle of Eastern Blvd.

...you didn't play hearts in the "student union" at JCC when it was the former coal bin of Lansing Street School
...you didn't Hear Ed Wool and the Nomads for the first time at the South Junior High talent show..
...you didn't Christmas shop at Fishman's, Kelly's Hat Shop, Jones Sport Shop..
...you didn't get your nice kids clothes at Young Moderns
...you didn't Celebrate New Year's Eve with Moondance at Morgia's
...you didn't ever buy a Paul Lee drawing from the artist at Jasper's
...you don't Remember all the "snow days" in the winter of 1962-63, a warmup for the Blizzard of '77

...I remember Pine Lodge during Christmas vacation, Genes Inn with South Shore Rd band and Saturday nights at Morgia's.

...do you remember the "TOMATO FIGHTS" that took place in "THE FLATS " every fall after the first frost did it's damage to the gardens?

What a wonderful trip down memory lane.......things I'd forgotten years ago, but your "Watertown" story brought more than one smile to my face and a bit of sadness also, too think of how great things really were........and I guess it's true you can't go back........what a shame!!!!!!!!
How fantastic to reminisce!

...if you did not buy your fruit at Johnny's Fruit Stand, see the "Long, Long Trailer" at the Avon theater, shop at Wilbers Discount City and Family Bargain Center (Debbie Reynolds visited), remember WOTT radio going off at sunset,  WT Grants on the square, JC Penney and Montgomery Ward on Court Street, getting the most beautiful flowers from Chapins Florist, 3000 people (not 300) working at the New York Airbrake, walking up the hill to JCC because there was not bus service that far, then no bus service, gathering all our friends in one car and going to Gene's Inn on Friday and Saturday night and the super "pizza" at Arts Jug!!!!!!!!!

...you don't remember Cruickshank's bakery.
...you don't remember buying Pierce's donuts by the half dozen in a box fresh from the bakery.      ...you don't remember Manassa's restaurant on the corner of W. Main St. and LeRay St.   
...you don't Watertown High School on Sterling Street, where the American Legion is today.
...you don't remember Hickey's grocery store on West Main St.
submitted from Lancaster, California

You called your friends' mom "mom" too because they could spank you just like your own. Don't do that now-a-days. (Don't recall too many A.D.D.kids when I grew up)
Rotary dial phones and party lines.  45's, LP's and turntables, dance routines.
The Old Sacred Heart Church. (The tragic fire; having services in the gym)
The North Side Improvement League was where DPAO is now on Davidson St.
Ice skating at the Sacred Heart rectory outside - across the street from all those cute St.Croix boys.  Can you tell I was a "North Side Hood"?

TOPS Coffee Shop. (all the public square cops got coffee there) Red & White store (now Crescent's Pizza)  Dairyland on Mill St., Leepy's on LeRay St., Cooley's corner store on W.Lynde & Cooper - CANDY!!! Lucy's shake shop was where Liberated sole is now - still in the family.

Was it Mercer's Dairy outer Mill street?  They delivered bottled milk in metal crates to your doorstep.  Milk in glass bottles in school, too.

Sounds like everyone remembers those Howard's BBQ's. Free Cab phones in the Arcade - Yellow Cab & Depot Cab.  Depot cab was on Factory St. next to the car wash.  Yellow cab on Franklin St., not sure before that.

Actually swimming at the YWCA!!!  Bathing caps!!!

Lawton's Barber shop( Cooffe and Court) - gave out "girlie" calendars (my Dad's)
STP stickers. Police safety tests of your bike skills and giving you a license sticker.
Was it the Watertown High Indians before the cyclones?
Fanny Farmer Candy in the Woodruff Alley.
The suit club at Boys & Men's.  The smoke shop on Arcade street.
Arsenal Street - one way- which way?
Watertown Bowl - Paul Antonelli , Red Pin Bowling for free games.
Robert Hall's out Washington Street
Curtis Street Fire barn.
Dante's pizza take out door down the steps and the barber shop next to it - Bill Komeroll -
Brill cream, old spice, safety razors.
Giovanni's- The Tufo family.
Faichney Thermometer factory on State Street ( Burger King now).
Dances in the basement at Bethany church - the Gravelle brothers band.
Intra-murals after school;  boys & girls recreation nights: grade school track meets.
I really miss the outdoor ice rinks and heated shacks - some with bathrooms.
Weston's food market had numbered buckets to put your bagged groceries
in then roll them out to the outside and drive up to pick them up.  No worry about somebody taking anything!!!  The go next door to the bargain center to shop.  Ride the horse in the lobby between the two or play pinball.  There was a time & temp sign out at the raod on Arsenal too,
and Price Chopper side was all woods!!! A suit club account at the Boys & Men's store.
Babies were born at the Mercy Hospital, too.

...you never ate at Ann's Stand
...you never heard of the Mt. Carmel Feast
...you have no idea who Joe the green grocer was (last name was Carcione i think)
...you never went to Wescotts Beach for the weekend
...you never shopped at Howlands
...are mystified as to how Watertown International Airport got the distinction of International
...remember when fort drum was camp pine
...Never had a Puff's cone
...Never had the specials at the Crystal
...never went to the Strand
...never went to Derrigo's Fruit Stand
...you appeared on the Danny Burgess show
...never watched the danny burgess show
...Never had a Jreck sub
...Never ate at Art's jug
...Don't who Howard George was.
...Never saw a home game for the Watertown Pirates
...Never skated at the Fairgrounds ice arena and went to the fairgrounds inn after.
...Don't remember the tiny little dry cleaner across from JCC
...Never got a toy truck from Hess
...never questioned the morbidity of going to the cemetery to feed the ducks

...You didn't go to Jet gas to wash and wax your car, then to Thompson Park to show it off.

...You never caught frogs with Zeke at Pollywog Pond off Coffeen Street.

Your list is absolutely great.  I'm a 1960 WHS grad, now living in Canton, OH.  For the list I'd add, "Dancing to the Five Strikes, one of the best of the local early rock and roll bands, at the coed dances at the YMCA"

...you never drank cinnamon schnapps on the chairlift at Dry Hill.

...graduated from IHA in 1956... love the article, great going down memory lane.  I remember ice skating at the cemetery off Washington Street and down on the lake on Sunday afternoons.  My husband was in the military but, couldn't wait to get home and have a sausage and pepper sandwich from Art's Jug!!!

...you've never had a beer and played the bowling machine at BJ's on Mill street.

Attended a Odd Fellow's dance in the basement of the Temple.

Danced to the Music of Ronnie Deo and the Elf's, The South Shore Road Band, The Vibrations, Ed Wool, or the Brass Cabinet ( Go Burkie!!) Watched Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheel's at the Armory on Arsenal street.

Hung out in front of the old Woolworth's on the Square on Saturday afternoon with practically every guy you ever went to school with looking for any female willing to look back

Stand in front of the show room window of Plumpton Chevrolet on State Street drooling over the brand new Corvette sitting there with the $3,700.00 price tag!!!

Standing in peanut park the hot summer night the Fireman's Conventioneer's climbed the fountain.  I was there!!

Riding your bike from the North side of Watertown all the way to Eastern Blvd. to Jeans Beans to buy the big bag of French Fries for 25 cents.

Playing Little League Baseball at the Air brake field on Pearl Street.

Spending every minute of your summer in the biggest above ground pool in the North Country behind North Junior High School.

Attending your first School dance in 7th grade at North Junior and falling totally in love with a completely unreachable 9th grade girl!

Sliding down Danato's hill into Lincoln Street on card board in the middle of a snow storm!!!

Taking your Prom date to Howard's Rest. on Mill Street before the dance.

Attending Auto Shop class in the Building across from Standard Auto Parts on Mill Street.

Getting your first hair cut from Vic Knight at Sheldon's Barber Shop on East Main Street.

Buying penny candy from Ruth's Market on Grant Street and smelling the bread baking at the Polish Bakery across the street.

Selling the Watertown Daily Times at the exit to the New York Air brake as the workers came out to go home.

Watching Mike Vanwaldic and Bob Neffkin cruise though Public Square with two of the fastest car's in Watertown on their way to Spring Valley Drive.

Smoking for the first time in the bathroom of the Town Theater on Public Square.

Spending as much time as possible at the teen center at the Y on the Square.  Attending all the CYO dances at the Catholic Schools.

Stock car Racing at the Fairgrounds and the night Woody Vanorder was killed.

Weston's on Arsenal Street and Wilburs Discount City on Mill Street. The Highway Market on West Main.  The Bargain Center, and Lou Burn's Mobil Station across from the County Bldg.  The Bowling alley up stairs across the street from the Olympic Theater on State Street.

...you don't remember Baldick Coal Co. on the corner of Pearl and Water St.
...you don't remember the California Fruit Market on Court St.
...you don't remember Dodge Brothers Garage on Coffeen St. before it was Johnnie's fruit stand.
...you don't remember Mrs. Waugh teaching Shorthand at the High School on Sterling St.

...you don't know who Clarence "Boots" Gaffney was and what he met to Watertown area athletics!
...you didn't play tackle football on the grounds of Sacred Heart Seminary and pick up basketball games at the St Croix's!
...remember 'Hoppin" school buses and cars in the winter.
...remember never getting the chance to get into trouble because no matter where you were in the city, you could run into an adult who would say "aren't you Slim and Fran's boy!!!"
...you didn't know that on the North side, every house was a "safe  house" and that the Henry's, St. Croix's, Dermady's, Doe's and other families successfully helped a generation of kids grow up.

...you haven't stood frozen to the sppot watching the Seminarians from Sacred Heart Chruch play hockey against the 50's hockey players while yelling in French!
...you haven't participated in a New Years Eve party at the Hotel Woodruff
...you didn't meet your friends at Whalens for a cherry coke after school
...you didn't smile watching Pinky Marlette lead the Watertown Band around the square

Does anyone remember Jones' Sport shop?  Their merchandise was of excellent quality and the wooden floors squeaked as you walked in!

...you never got fresh baked bread on Saturday morning from the Arlington St Bakery
...you never played baseball, football or kick ball in the street in front of your house
...you never bought something from the popcorn man
...you don't remember putting the empty milk bottles out in the evening and finding them full again when you woke up
...you never looked for golf balls in the woods around  Ives Hill C.C.
...you never played Routes.
...you don't know who Graham Hodges is.
...you don't know who Selwyn Perrigo or Charlie Hayes were.
...you don't remember Mawor Wand.

...you don't remember the "WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES" paperboy delivering your paper during the blizzard of 77 on Friday saying "Collection....for the week!" while shivering.  (I was him in Chaumont, NY!)  I now live in Texas where there are no blizzards!!  God I miss Watertown!

...you never took ballroom dancing lessons at Prof, Irwin's dance Studio on state St...
...you didn't have friends who lived at the children's Home on state St.
...you never burned your smashed toboggan in the wood stove at the Park skating rink
...you never climbed the wall at No. Jr. High School to go swimming at night.
...you never ate lunch at Whelan's Drug Store on Public Square..ate a giant pretzle and drank a fruitang at Musselman's on the square..played hide and go seek at the gravestone cutter's place out on Washington St..slid down the Park hill on your ski boots...and my dad owned Henry's jewelry store where everyone listened to records in all the little rooms

...you don't remember Guy Loomis who drove city bus and later school bus for Freeman's Bus Co.

The Billfield Brothers at Standard Auto Parts and the Keegan Brothers at Garland City Auto Parts both located on Mill Street and the only distance between them was the River..

Fred Bajjaly's store on East Main Street.

Touch Football at the New York Airbrake lawn at Pearl & Starbuck Ave.

Pool Hall's!!  Wimpie's on Franklin, Valonis's on the Square, Lawton's Barber shop (out back) on Coffeen Street, and the big hall at Watertown Bowl.

Depot Taxi at Factory Square.

The Red Star Diner across from the Red Moon Diner on Court St.

Jackman Street.

Benny's Steak house on Public Square and later on Arsenal Street where Ponderosa Steak House is today.

The Roller rink at the Fair Grounds.

The shoe repair shop on Factory Street next to Colsanti's

Abe Cooper's junk yard on Factory St.

John Urban announcing his radio show on W.W.N.Y. radio from a up stairs window of the Hotel Woodruff.

Fred Angel on W.A.T.N. radio  ( Now this next song is a real good'n)

The Battle of the Bands at the Olympic Theater.

The beautiful Rail Road Station at J.B. Wise Place.

Pat Chirico rolling his 1955 Chev. completely over behind Watertown High School and being grounded  by his Dad for life plus two days.

Marching down State Street and through Public Square with the 479th engineers from South Massey & Pine Streets on Memorial day.

What a wonderful website!  I laughed and cried my way through "you haven't lived in Watertown if...".  I live in Walden, New York ( 70 miles outside of New York City), and with Artsjug.com, I'm home again!  Thank you.

...you didn't spend Wednesday nights in the summer in the parking lot of the Grand Union next to O'bie's for Happy Hour, then going to the Pirates Roost in the Bay, and getting a slice of pizza at Cavallario's during South Shore's break.

...you didn't have Mr. Close from the Karmel Korn Shoppe bark at you, " You, what do you want."
...you didn't have a vanilla phosphate at Baker's Pharmacy on State Street, and then spray on some Ambush perfume on your way to a C.Y.C. dance at Holy Family.
...you didn't buy a newspaper from Fish-Eye Freddie in front of Woolworth's.
...you didn't go to a party at Rex Ennis's church in Burrville.
...you didn't have your love life mentioned in Watertown High's "Owl".
...you didn't get caught making out in Thompson Park.

...if you didn't spend summers selling newspapers at Camp Drum
...watching the water falls from the bridge by the paper mills
...wondering how to get down into the old caves along the river
...the big factory fire right off the square and across the tracks behind the Hotel Woodruff
...sliding down Donato's hill and sneeking a kiss from Georgina D.
...dances at the Oddfellows hall upstairs and later they made a teen center 
...playing music at 2am in the park amphitheater from John's hearse with the big speakers
...the thompson park policeman directing a traffic jam at 1 am by the water tower and enjoying the company
...being able to grow up in a town where you were safe no matter what time of day/night.
...and if you went to Holy Family, you gotta remember sister Mary Angela and her mini baseball bat that she would threaten to use.
...you had to know someone named Duffany since there were 10 kids all different ages
...walking across the railroad tressel by the fairgrounds after watching the stock car races and the demolition derbies.
...Knowing that if the kids all across America today had half of the things printed on this page, that there would not be nearly as many unhappy kids walking around getting into trouble.

What an interesting web page(s).  I remember my dad (every Saturday morning or Fri. night) going to Conde's and walking down isle after isle.  It was his place to go.  Also the Bargain Center when it was on  Arsenal St.  When we live on LeRay St.  Dad would say you scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream and then we know we were going to the ince cream shoppe on West Main St. There were a lot of good memories stirred up on these pages.

You don't remember watertown when IHC was IHA and IHA was an old mansion on Main Street
4th of July Parade down State Street
The shack on the Park Circle where we dried our mittens while we warmed up from skating 
What a great place it was to grow up. Brings back many memories
My first time to Arts Jug was with my Dad, " Boots" Thanks for the memories

I smiled when I read the name Mr. Fistal, and the tears flowed when I read the phrase, "all aboard the Huntingtonville express", the memories that you people brought back would have been forgotten some where in the back of my mind for ever, thank you so much for the walk back in time through my childhood, I would have never been able to recall on my own. I left Watertown years ago thinking it was nowhere, but now I remember it was some of the best years of my life, not so much for the place but the people. Thanks again, Bushnell, FL

You Don't remember some of the great teachers that worked for that Watertown Board of Education???

Miss Dano, Pearl Street School & Principal of Starbuck School

Starbuck School
Miss Grant
Mr. & Mrs. Wells
Mrs. Philips  (Who owned the White House where the SOB stands today.)
Mrs. Moore
Mr. Casterella  ( I wanted him to be my Dad!)
Mrs. Gaskin  (Pete's Mom)
Mrs. Cobble

North Junior High School
Mr. Pangallo
Mr. John Morgia  ( Guidance counselor,wood shop and one great guy!)
Thor Ottorsland    ( Principal)
Lucy Kendrew    ( Tuff as hell!!)
Mrs. English     ( Looking back now I feel sorry for a lot because she was a very good teacher)
Miss Brady      ( What a great teacher and a true saint!)
Mrs. Russel and of course Mr Rydell.  (Two of the very best  in their professions!!)
Mr Powell and Mr. Brefka in Shop  ( Remember tie day???)
Miss Plunket  ( I never had her for a teacher but I heard stories that
sent cold chills up my spine!!)

Watertown High School
Vic Remarino and his wife Mrs Russell
Jim Mcguire in Driver Ed.
Mr. Feistel  ( I was glad he finally made principal)
Mr. Woodell

All the Gal's that worked in the Cafeteria at Watertown High.  My Mom was one of them and I always ate good but couldn't get away with anything.  She always knew exactly what I was doing!!!

Auto shop before the new Boces building was built on outer Arsenal street and the classes were held on Mill Street at what is now Knowlton's and later on West Main Street in the building and garage that is where Alcoholic Anonymous is today.

Mr. Robert Germain  ( without a doubt the smartest human being I've ever meant and a great teacher!!!)
Mr. Jones   ( Jonesy) ( auto repair 101)
Mr. Glen Schell  ( Auto Body & Fender)
Mr. Louis Badour ( Small Gas Engines)

Sacred Heart School  ( For Catechism Class once a week)
Sister Virgo Fidelious  ( General Patton had nothing on her!!!)
Sister Leo  ( I remember Father Bernard asking us when we were in 4th grade" Who was the oldest teacher in Sacred Heart?" and everyone saying Sister Leo!!  He was looking for Jesus Christ of course!!

...you didn't learn square dancing from Verna Fischer at Knickerbocker School

I would just like to say thank you to all the teachers we've had over the years in the entire Watertown School system.  I know I've left many names out but these are the people that most effected me growing up and going to school in Watertown.  This web site has been just wonderful to read and remember and I hope it will continue.  I wouldn't take a million bucks to give up all the great experiences I've had growing up and living here in Watertown, N.Y.  Again, many thanks to all the contributors.

The popcorn man that used to come down your street with fresh, buttery popcorn.

...you haven't scaled the pool behind North Junior High after hours, skated on the many outdoor ice skating rinks, or had an ice cream sundae at Newbury's (Newberry's) on the square.

...you don't remember having milk delivered by Don Gillette.     - Massachusetts

you wouldn't remember sitting in the hall way in jc Thompson school after eating lunch putting on your ice skates to skate the rest of lunch hour at school
you would not remember the last 6 grade year at Thompson school, because wiley complex took all the 4th thru 6 every year after that.
you wouldn't remember snowmobiles driving up and down the roads when the first inch of snow stayed on the roads
you wouldn't remember the road being closed for the winter season in front of the ski tow at Thompson park
you wouldn't remember the weaver road gang.(74' thru 78'?) Party animals)
you wouldn't remember going up to the falls. (mid state st. hill)
you wouldn't remember all the parting after hours all around the water tower, (uncle lynard club)
you wouldn't remember going to greens dairy and getting the milk out of the cooler and than going to david greens house to pay for it.
you wouldn't remember catching the big walleyes and bass and cats out of the mighty black river, and watching out for Bill shammy (game wardon)
you wouldn't remember colon exford going into his dads store and getting  all his friends penny candy. (Exfords Groceries store, Park circle)
you wouldn't remember seeing Paul D. driving his horse and sleigh around the east side ( I think the last horse driven buggy and sleigh in Watertown)

...you don't remember the coffee house "etcetera" above the house of Gee's and Terry Evans

...I left Watertown in 1976.  I always got dinner for my grandfather at Art's Jug.  I love their service.  I used to go in the back at the kitchen, and they always passed out Halloween from there.  What I really wish is that my kids could have that kind of home feeling too.  Thanks for the memories.

...Doing the "Monster Mash" at the Watertown Bowl after playing pool next door.
...Staying at the "City Line Motel" after the prom.
...Baking and strutting in the sun all day at Westcott's Beach then going toMorgia's Clam Shed in Sackets Harbor that night to dance to "Louie, Lou-eye"
...Skiing at Thompson Park when you couldn't afford to go to Dry Hill.

You couldn't imagine what your "memories of watertown" has done..from my brother in Texas to family in California and then back to me, here by the ocean in Rhode Island, it's been a source of fun, and all kinds of conversations.
I am a member of Classmates (a web that has brought a lot of us together ...I graduated in 1946..and I have to tell you, a good childhood starts you off in the right direction.
My long ago friends are lawyers, doctors, scientists, computer geniuses, teachers.....one of them (Bill Wolf) was written up in Life Magazine when he was still a young guy. Watertown should be proud to have started so many of its young people on their way in life. I know I look back and thank the powers that be for my start in life back home. so thanks for all your work in putting this together ...like Bob Hope used to sing---Thanks for the Memories...

...you haven't lived in Watertown if.... You haven't been to "The MAX"
...you haven't lived in Watertown if....You haven't bought coffee to go from Woolworth's diner so u could take it with u to the courthouse (while u waited hours for your name to be called in family court) and Then went there for lunch afterwards.
What an awesome website :) I now live in Maryland and get quite homesick sometimes... Thanx for the trip down memory lane... I am still smiling.   -- Edgewood, Maryland

...I live in Massena now and have traveled and worked all over the country. this web site has brought back fond memories. here are a few.
...if you did not go to Mr. Roberts to listen and dance to North Star.
...if you never went to Loblaws for groceries.
...if you did not have Ron Sloan and Mary Mulligan for teachers, remembering how they where the best. (thanks to them I stayed in school)

...Try to catch the leprechaun on the Square on St. Pattie's Day.
...The Chicken man on the radio "He's everywhere, he's everywhere!"  
...If you haven't eaten at "Eat it and Beat it".

Do you remember having a little red rubber ball on your car antenna so you could see them in a winter storm?
Do you remember the ice fishing derbies in Sackets Harbor?

...you haven't been to a wrestling match with Coach Ridall's team

What a stroll down memory lane!!  My thanks to whomever started this trip.  I didn't see anything about "Booras's" soda shop, which was next to St. Patrick's School on the corner of Arsenal and Massey Sts.  We went there almost every day after school.  Remember those little mini juke box machines above each booth that played three songs for a quarter??  And, who can forget Maggie Devine who ran the little magazine store next to the fire hall. She knew we weren't going to buy the comic books because none of could afford to, but she never scolded us for reading them during recess or lunch break.  What about the "Peppermint Lounge" near St. Patrick's School on Arsenal St.  The nuns told us we would be expelled from school if we ever went there.....well we did it anyway!!  What about going around and around Public Square with
your cool car for everyone to notice...sometimes a convertible with 10 kids in it and the radio blaring.  Back then you got "warnings" from the police, not tickets!!  Since I was born in 1943, I remember most everything mentioned by everyone.  I even remember when the roads were made from BRICKS!!  I am still here in the area and would never dream of moving.  While the City
Fathers have managed to tear down just about everything historical in this town, they can't take away our memories of the way it used to be.

I am formerly from Brownville and graduated from there in 1956. I have been living in Minnnesota since 1964. My cousin in Alaska told me about this web page. My free trip "back home" is great. I check in almost daily. Will they ever quit tearing down my memories of  Downtown Watertown. They give new meaning to "Hit the bricks".  - We are "Jug Heads"!!!!!

...you haven't rushed back to Watertown to eat at Allen's Diner on State St. or the Red Moon Diner after 3AM having frequented one of the following bars,  Pirates Roost or Swinger in the Bay, OB,s in Clayton, Morgia's Clam Shed, The Gaslight, Tiffy's, Jean's Inn or Pine Lodge...the good old days!

Yes I remember Borras' Ice cream shop on the corner of Arsenal st. and sitting there with my first husband listening to music and drinking cherry cokes, talking to Tootie and Alex and Mr. Booras . Great memories.
   I worked at Weston's when they opened in the lunch counter and my sister worked in the toy dept. They had the best bar BQ,s in the world at the Red Moon diner, where we all went after the "Rambler Dances " wherever they happened to be that nite . Fred Angel and the guys provided the music of my teen years and we remained loyal to him till he died , every so often , we, my sibling s and cousins (Rambler fans all) would get to gether to go squaredancing . My sister would come from Rochester , a brother Garnet from Natick , Mass and we would dance our feet off , there would 20-30 of us total. What fun , Fred , We miss you !
   My Mom shopped at the Bee Hive store , said if you couldn't find it anywhere else , You could always find it at the BeeHive .Thank You for a Great site.

...if you never took one of the bus trips to Yankee Stadium from Mr. Roberts on one of the old Freeman Coachs with no bathroom and they supplied all the beer you could drink and the bus driver wouldn't stop!
...if you never spent "Senior Skip Day" at Westcott's Beach
...if you never bought your first girlfriend a ring with your initial on it for 35 cents at the old Woolworth's on the American Corner
...if you don't remember WOTT's request line every night on the radio.
...if you never got drunk in Chuck's End Zone with Chuck and Gordie and Jamie and "Downtown" and Spies and...
...if you don't remember seeing "Orleans" at the Lion's Den at the old Watertown Bowl
...or if you never worked at the old Watertown Bowl.
...if you don't remember when Pla-Mor Lanes got the first automatic pinsetters in Watertown
...if you never had one of the great sausage sandwiches at the old Watertown Speedway
...or remember all the "legends" that raced at the Watertown Speedway...Dick May (who drove Winston Cup), "Terrible" Tooley, Freddie Gibson, Dick and Bob Zeigler (who built Evans Mills Speedway), Charlie Brown, Gary Reddick, Chubby LeRoux, Mike Shippee, Fran Kitchen, Tony Blake, Woody VanOrder (the only fatality at the speedway), or Don June.

...if you don't remember when Jay Buhner played for the Watertown Pirates...or Tom Prince, or Felix Fermin
...if you didn't know that boxer "Sugar Ray" Robinson got his nickname from Jack Case of the Watertown Times..."Sweet as sugar."
...if you don't remember 50 inches of snow in 24hours and it continued for three days, The Blizzard of '77
...if you don't remember J. Lee Flynn's musicals at North Junior and Watertown High.
...if you never made out in a snow bank at the old Ninth Ward Playground ice rink.
...if you never drove a wooden "race car" down the "Big Hill" at the end of Cayuga Ave.
...if you didn't have George Raines as your bowling coach...or Harry Davies, or John Stellar, or Jack Fay, or Paul Antonelli, or Alice St. Mary, or Don Good, or Harold Rommellman (from Carthage).
...if you don't remember Open Campus at WHS and spending lunch hour at Shep's Bar on Coffeen Street
...if you never bought flowers, apples, bread or cider at Rocky's Fruit Stand.
...if you never rode in a cab driven by Kenny Beckstead.
...if you don't remember teen dances in the basement of the old Church of the Redeemer on East Main Street
...if you don't remember when Sacred Heart Church burned down.
...if you never played baseball at "Rand Field" in the "Brickyard."
...if you never rode your bike all the way to Adams to buy sneakers at Belloffs (Cons and Adidas)
...if you didn't turn your "Sting-ray" bike into a "Chopper."
...if you don't remember when nobody bowled a 700 series for years (except Bunn Quinn).
...if you never went streaking in the 70's
...if you don't remember coach Lew Kibling yelling "Cripes You Guys!"
...if you don't remember "Schlooper's Troopers!"
...if you were never on "Kiddie's Karnival" on Channel 7.
...if you don't remember when Channel 7 or 11 (in Kingston) was all you could get.
...if you don't remember Mark Dresner and the local sports games on "Cable Channel 10."
...if you don't remember Ray and the gang down at Thom McAn (City Center Plaza)..."Keep on dancin' "
...if you don't remember "The Beamer" Steve Beam on WOTT-FM
...if you don't remember The Coke Club on WOTT with Gary Bee and Dave Cady
...if you never laid awake at night and listened to Larry Glick on WBZ in Boston
...if you don't remember the State Fireman's Convention...the long parade and the barrels of beer in front of The Pump House Tavern on State Street...and the Firematics Drag Racing Competition at the fairgrounds.
...if you don't remember Phil Rizzuto ("Holy Cow, what a Huckleberry!") doing Yankee games on the radio.
...if you don't remember the "Heiney Winery." (ask Jay Donovan, aka Ed Kruetter)
...if you can't remember where in Watertown you were when you heard President Kennedy had been shot. (I was in Meade Street School...they sent us home early).
...if you can't remember the "Go Home Air Raid Drills" in the 60s
...if you can't still hear the bell dinging on the ice cream truck or the whistle of Mr. DeVito's popcorn truck.
...if you can't remember your first dozen steamed clams at the Jefferson County fair...or the taffy being made while you watched and eating it while it was still warm.
...has anybody ever actually eaten pizza at The Pizza Pit on Coffeen Street?
...if you can't remember the white garlic pizza I can only find in Watertown...It's just not the same anywhere else....if you can't remember the Midnight Express request line on WATN radio when that was about the only time you could hear "teen" music on any Watertown radio station...

...the talking mynah bird in Newberry's Pet Shop
...when Beatle music first came to town and Woolworths played "Meet the Beatles" on the P.A. system for weeks (?)
...Erma at the Chimes on Franklin St. (She was in a Harry Chapin song)
...Mr McLean .... He graduated from Harvard, but came back to Watertown to teach English.... every day was fun... anyone remember his "Barnes Corners Dry Martini and Anti- something something"  or the day he became so frustrated that he tore a Regents Review book IN HALF??? (and then showed us the trick.)
..,Rozzie the newsboy?  He couldn't read so he'd ask you what the headline read and then he'd go around shouting whatever you told him...MARTIANS INVADE WATERTOWN...
...when Master Bob Lawlor was half of Action Associates... they brought all the great bands to Watertown
...local bands like the Grapes of Wrath and the Caveliers?
...Henry's record shop (upstairs, over the jewelry store)  
...sitting in the auditorium at Cooper School with the whole school, watching space launches on a tiny tv in the middle of the stage.... sometimes waiting half the day when there was a delay...
...when WWNY finally decided they had to play "popular" music and launched "the Sounds of the Seventies"
...Gary Bee, Mike Riley, Jerry Stevens, Jack Richards, Bill Walker, Dave Cady, at WOTT
...Christmas dances at North Junior... mistletoe hung on the basketball hoops but woe to those who stole a kiss!!
...and speaking of North... remember Mr Powell, Mrs Powell, Mr McConnell, Mr McCrum, Mr Forshaw, Mr Millard, Mr Thompson, Miss Deline, Mrs Illsley, Mrs Payne..... so many others already named.
...and dress codes!!! a short skirt would get a girl sent home, but so would a granny dress... socks will be worn with shoes... no tee shirts... girls will wear dresses or skirts with blouses...no excessive makeup on girls... no beards, mustaches, or sideburns below the ear on men...
...Ron Sloan would climb UP on a desk and walk across the desks to some errant individual... woe be to YOU, "you CLOD"
...Mr Kelly  "One of the BETTER failing grades"
...Bill the Barber on Leray St, Vic Knight, Roy Lawton... Bill's dog did tricks, Vic had a bumper sticker "Democrats for Goldwater" on the mirror...
....Troop 9 and Mr Graham at Bethany... forging friendships that last a lifetime... and remembering Mark Downton who was murdered in Syracuse and Rick O'Connor who died in the World Trade Center...

...you haven't woke up to fresh milk being delivered to your house.

The Victory diner on State St. Where Big John would call out in a deep voice two "hamburgers"
to the kitchen. My buddy Louie and I enjoyed 10 cent onion sandwiches there after an evening at the "Crest" listening to Ray LaBounty playing piano. The North Side League and Troop 15 Scouts. Riding the steam train to Valley Forge Jamboree in 1950. Flying to New York out of Dexter on a DC3. Netting and eating Smelt out of the river in the spring. Father Dostie who let us skate at the rink on Gale st. You didn't have to go to Sacred Heart to skate. Habeeb's little corner store on the corner of Cooper and Gale Sts.
Sealtest ice cream pies came in a glass baking dish, we still use one. Those green apples that we swiped on the way home from the pool at No. Junior sure did taste good. Mr. Snyder the post man . Sneaking away from the house and ride the tricycle to outer Mill St. and play in "Oily Creek". Mother knew where to find me. Saturday  just had to get to the Victoria and not miss an episode of the ongoing serial. From a North Sider living in western Canada

..."This is probably my favorite song that I do.
   It's about a small town in upstate New York called Watertown, New York."
   (a few people in the audience clap)
   "That's more than it deserves...I spent a week there one afternoon."
                                                           Harry Chapin
                                                           From his live album...
                                                           Introducing "A BETTER PLACE TO BE"

...you haven't square danced while Jerry McGee called out the sets.
...you never hung out at the Cobblestone on outer Washington Street.
...you never bought a record from Judy Root, The Gal Behind The Record Counter
...you never watched any of the Doe boys (John, Dick or Don) play ball.
...you never hopped the fence to visit the Jefferson County Fair.
...you didn't attend either WHS or IHA on Sadie Hawkins's Day where you drew a name from the opposite school, hoping to set up a blind date.
...you never hung out at Bolton's Drug Store on West Main Street - going through the magazines while having lunch but never buying any of them.

I have to tell you what wonderful memories this article has brought to me this evening.  I have not lived in the Watertown area since 1968.  I am amazed at how many of these items you have listed that I still remember.  That was a very special time in my life and I thank you for helping me to remember those times.  Your web site is great.  I was referred to it by my brother who still lives in your area.  Thanks so much!!!!  - Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

...your mother never took you to Woolworth's lunch counter where you'd place your belonging under the counter while enjoying a huge hot fudge sundae in a big tulip glass dish.  You'd sometimes forget to pick up your packages from under the counter but when you went back, they almost always had been turned in by an honest shopper.

...your mother didn't then let you shop Woolworth's perfume counter and help you pick up a new bottle of "Evening in Paris" or "Blue Waltz" perfume with your baby-sitting money.

...you didn't do a "double-header" movie spree with you siblings on Saturday.  If you had fifty cents, you could first go to the Strand Theater for a Roy Rogers or Gene Autry movie and then rush over to the Palace Theater to see a Betty Grable movie.  And of course afterwards, you'd catch the bus, drop a nickel in the slot and ride home, truly a happy camper.

Someone asked if we remembered Jones Sport Shop. I sure do--my dad was a good friend of Bill Jones and bought most of my sport clothes there. I remember the year I got my first ski suit, for Christmas. It was made by White Stag and lasted me well into my adult years. In fact I gave it away many years later and it was still in pristine condition. White Stag does not have the quality now as then. And I can not think of a town that has the quality that Watertown had in her day. What a wonderful time-the 50's.I graduated in 1957 with a great bunch of "kids" and remember so well when we were allowed to be kids. Reading thru all these wonderful pieces of memorabilia has warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I miss the 50's terribly-wish I could go back. I go home to Watertown in the spring and the fall to visit my father's and my grandparent's graves and look with sadness at the changes. However my husband and I enjoy Art's Jug and the fact that it remains Art's Jug.

Great site.  WHS class of 68 - Our yearbook was dedicated to Margaret Beattie, Latin teacher and great lady. You haven't lived in Watertown if you never heard her say, "If you can't say it, you don't know it!!"

Remember the mini-skirt/dress code days at WHS?  If "the powers that be" thought your attire didn't meet dress codes, you were invited to the front office to kneel in front of either Mr. Harris or Mr. Feistal.  If the skirt didn't touch the floor, the guilty party was sent home to change.  Those were the days!!!

Didn't see to much about these two schools.  I went to both Arsenal 1936 to 1942 . South Junior1942 to 1946 graduated high 1949 Watertown is a great place I still live here. Contact me if you remember me Fred
Lawrence, from the flats. E mail me at, fred575@webtv.net

I live in Tampa, Florida.  what wonderful memories and the most awesome website!
who remembers pay toilets at Empsall's?  10 cents to pee.    warming up at the shack at Knickerbocker's ice rink.  Mardi Gras at Knickerbocker.  'The fish pond?  blow pops?  warm sticky salt water taffy at the Jeff. Co. Fair?    trick or treating and selling holy stamps door-to-door without worrying about any kind of repercussions. swimming in black river with your boyfriend yelling about the gila monster behind you.
Arthur Shawcross... Tops and Bottoms under Woolworth's with Eugene the Dancing Machine... JC Penney's on square had the COLDEST water in the water fountain... Canned good admittance at the Olympic Theatre too see Planet of the Apes... working at Sboro's which was one of the best jobs I ever had 
Eating at Sboro's  (not to mention Art's )

..if you've never had a mac n cheese dinner on fridays at Nicky's Luncheonette.
..if you've never been the one (or at least known someone) to see if your tongue really does stick to frozen metal in the middle of winter...DUH!!!
..if you've never frozen your butt off in a shanty out on the lake fishing in the middle of winter
..if never enjoyed upstate New York summers...both weeks!!!!
..if you've never sucked it up and went swimming anyway at Westcotts Beach..BRRRRR!!!!!!!
..if you've never made the treck to go trick or treating down Paddock Street (oooooo the goodies!!!!)
..if you've never cursed as you had to make your SECOND trip around the square to try to get back out.
..if you've never had to go back out and shovel your driveway a SECOND TIME because the plow just went by

I have sent in many  comments and I don't know how I forgot to mention Willie Gee's restaurant, later taken over by son Chuck. It was not far from Cahill's where they sold those wonderful Pendleton Shirts. 

Cecil Merchant delivering door to door ice and the special treats of getting ice chips off the back of his truck on hot days.
Pop Devito peddling pop corn from his push cart throughout the city.
The airport on outter Washington Street.
Bide--A-Wee Hospital on Bradley Street.
Pool's Woods and "Oily Creek"
North Junior teachers
Bob Messinger, Mrs. Vance...."Pop" Scholl Principal

...you didn't get your leather, initial belt at Jones Sport Shop - along with your Bass Weejens.
...you didn't dance at the K of C Friday night - and then at senior co-ed at the YMCA  Saturday. (Maybe breaking up with your boyfriend Friday - but back together by Saturday).
...you didn't attend "Strawberry Festival" at Holy Family and watch Fr. McCarthy entertain the crowd.
...you didn't pass "dress" inspection before the dances at IHA.
...you didn't get a thrill seeing Carmen Basillo in the stands at the Fairgrounds.
...you didn't look forward to the 2 coupons for free cokes from the Coca-Cola Company on your birthday.

What a treat to read all these memories.  Watertown was a great place in which to grow up - and the memories are still vivid.  I try to go back every year at least once - and enjoy showing favorite places to my husband and family.  I am just saddened to see the gorgeous fountain on the Square gone.  How we looked forward, every summer, to seeing it spray the variety of colors in the evening.  So many things have changed since I left in '61 - but it will always be "home".  I graduated in '57 from IHA and in '60 from Mercy Hospital - both institutions preparing me well for life and a very satisfying career. We live in Marshfield, Wi. now - and were interested to see one responder lives just 35 minutes away.  Small world

It seems to me I remember an Ice House at the end of State Street, I think it was located around where Pickles is.  The other neighborhood store I remember was  located on the way home from Sacred Heart School.  It was called Friendships located on the corner of cooper and lynde St..  Has any body heard of the mcnaulty creamery located on Bronson street?  This is a great sight keep up the good work and thanks for the memories.

...you have never eaten at Shollette's Steak House.
...you didn't skip school and played video games at the Holiday Inn on Washington St.
...you didn't buy your first pair of Lee Jeans from Mr. Krumpkin at Apex Army/Navy
...you didn't enjoy hitting cars and School Buses with snowballs and running for your life afterwards.
...you didn't do some betting with Harry the Horse.
...you didn't play bubble hockey at the Time Warp.
...you didn't have family gatherings at Thompson Park every summer.
...you didn't have at least one drink in every dive bar in the city, Ye Ole Question Mark,
    Smokey's (Dr Strange Tattoo), Colesante's, The Brown Shanty.
...you didn't play tackle football for one of the projects; Maywood Terrace vs Cloverdale. 
...you didn't have a Hoffman Hot Dog from Harby's Hots.
...you didn't participate in "Power Hour" at the Islander in Alex Bay.
...you didn't enjoy Senior Weekend at Sandy Pond.  WHS students mostly!
...you didn't call JCC "Harvard on the Hill"
...you didn't get mad at some out of towner trying to drive through the square.

Martin Bachner's drafts for a quarter.  "hey 'dere, how are you?"
Bobby and Donnie taking care of the bar while Martin worked the night shift in the Core Room at the Air Brake.
Bob Janks calling everybody a "Great American"
Watching Shawn Brady make some great throws.
Larry giving out towels at the Y. after you got through playing ball on Saturday morning.
Bobby Kurtz wanting the rec. league softball game over with quick so that he could go get his beer.
Freddy Lava at Dante's ,....  " Let's GO!!  Time to LOCK UP!!
Snow softball tournaments where playing with an orange ball "so that you
could find it " didn't mean that you'd be ABLE to find it in three feet of snow.
Hustling back to Sackets from the Lion's Den so that you could get that
last beer at Bachner's and see who was still gonna party a little at the Battlefield.

...you don't remember Pine Camp
...you don't remember the American Legion on Washington St where the Carriage House is now located.
...you don't remember closing off outer Academy St in the winter so you could ski downhill 
...you don't remember County Children's Home run by the Nagel's.
submitted by Mike Brick  WHS '58

..you don't remember the Gaslight Tavern at the Seaway Shopping Plaza??
Danny Kirby behind the bar.
Donnie Gilligan was one of the full time bouncers. Dick Miles was always his trustie assistant.
(If there wasn't at least one fight on a Friday night it had to be Flu season!!!)
Cross Town Traffic was the house band
Listening to the South Shore Road Band sing "Only you hold the answer" with their great light show.

...you don't Remember Action Associates???
The Lawler Brothers,  Larry, Bobby, and Jimmy.
Dances at the Odd Fellows Temple on Stone Street (upstairs & down) and the Armory. Square Dance Ranch too!!
Bobby played drums for the Knight's  (The man was great!!!) before going full time with Larry.
Jimmy has played drums for every major band in the North Country and is still at it today with Top Secret. Every time we manage to see them play all I can think of is the old day's on Stone street when Jimmy was starting his career.  Jimmy must be doing something right he never seems to age!!!!

Larry, (One great guy.)  I remember Larry was the first one that I can remember to provide a strobe light and smoke at a dance at the Odd Fellows Temple.  At the ripe old age of fifteen I thought I was at Studio 54!!!!.

The Bands that performed for Action Associates.
The South Shore Road Band
Ed Wool and The Nomads
The Virbrations
The Kid's
Ronnie Deo
Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheel's.  ( That was Huge at the time!!)

For any kid that grew up in Watertown during the mid to late 60's you were probably involved with one or both of the above mentioned places.  Many thanks to the Lawler Brothers and the owners of the Gas Light Tavern for giving us a place to meet our friends and have fun.  The entertainment was the very best in Northern New York.  I think we should close off the first block of Stone street some warm Saturday night during the summer and have a reunion dance.  Maybe Ed, Dick, Bob, Jimmy, Tommy, and Bob Watts could put together a few tunes for the evening and we could all pass the hat.  They would be surprised on just how much they would receive.

...you don't remember Supervisor Jim Brett when he lived on Emerson Street.
...you don't remember Clarence "Smuggs" Evans of the City Recreation Department.
...you don't remember Councilman Charlie Hayes.
...you don't remember the Clinch husband and wife teacher-team at South Junior and the Knapps of WHS.
...you don't remember legendary coaches;"Healthy" Howard Neal and Freem Powers.
...you didn't stand feet-first in Sidney Miller's x-ray machine on Arsenal Street; to see if your new shoes fit right.
...you don't remember having to wait during your elementary school; milk break on those cold winter days until the Ed Green Dairy milk defrosted in the glass bottles....and having to shake the bottles to evenly distribute the cream.
...you don't remember Mr. Decker, the Freeman Bus dispatcher who managed the bus flow on Public Square and who emptied the dimes from the coin boxes into a leather satchel
...you don't remember the locally-owned and managed Watertown National Bank, Jefferson County Savings Bank and Watertown Savings and Loan Association.
...you don't remember Stitt's, Holstein's and Empsall's Men's Shop (not the department store!)
...you don't remember the Times publishing four editions daily.
...you don't remember Eric Young and his horse "Dolly" in all the Watertown parades. 
...you don't remember Truman Green at Vrooman's on lower State Street and his line of Thompson boats and Evinrude engines. And Esposito's on Stone Street with their Scott-Atwater engines.
...you don't remember "Scotty"s" Cold Creek Inn on the Gifford Street Road. And Hardy's Tea Room in Burrville with his-and-her outhouses.
...you don't remember the Gould Motor Company on Factory Street (Buicks) Quick Motors on State Street (Cadillacs) and Harlo Motors on outer Washington Street (Nash cars).</P>
...you don't know that Flower Avenue was once known as Baker Street. And you don 't know in whose honor Green Street is named. And you don't remember plans for a Thompson Gardens housing development near Thompson Park

...you don't remember getting mail delivered twice a day during the Christmas season.
...you don't remember seeing Army trucks from Pine Camp assisting the Post office deliver parcels during xmas

...if you never ate a meatball sandwich at Enrico's Restaurant or a sub at Mr. Sub. 
...Also all night bullhead fishing on the Black river, the Weaver Road/Huntingtonville gang, vintage 1955-1969.
From Bryan in New Mexico

...you don't remember four digit phone numbers
...you didn't spend Saturday afternoons playing shuffleboard at ART'S
...you didn't play pinball at Calendar's on Factory St.
...you didn't put ski boots on and hitching a ride on the city bus by holding onto the back bumper

...you didn't know where Larry's mobile was
...you never walked across the dam in Huntingtonville, or fished off from it
...you never walked the railroad tracks between Huntingtonville and Black River
...you never played football or boxed at the Kingsbury residence
...you don't remember the bread store on Weaver Road
...you don't remember the school house on Weaver Road
...you don't remember Butternut Falls
...you don't remember the Watertown Royals

...unless you've hired a consultant to decide what you need to do!

I was born in 1955 so i don't remember alot of the places you talk about, but I do remember some. I don't recall the Trolleys but the trians are vivid in my mind. I love the old pictures of good old Watertown. I don't remember all the buildings through Court St. however. It looks so different now. Art's Jug is a great place to eat. We had a great meal there on NewYear's Eve. We really enjoyed ourselves.
Hey thanks for all the great memories

Love the web site!!  Who remembers FOX the first K 9 dog for the City of Watertown Police Dept? A great idea by a guy named Tom Dawley who handled Fox and saw that the City of Watertown was safe by day and night. Fox was also a delight for the school children who loved to have him visit their schools.

...you can't remember the original Stone Street Church before the fire.
...you can't remember your Watertown Daily News paperboy.
...you can't remember Dr. Lustick's housecalls.
...you can't remember stopping by the Times to see what dance was posted for Fridays.
...you can't remember the path to Butterfield School off Barben Avenue
...you don't remember Mickey and the Malibus
...you can't remember going to the bathroom in the basement of Smith & Percy's after school.
submitted by Linda Burkard Coonan, Irvine, California

Would it be possible to publish whom these posts are from?  I live in California now and read one post from Lancaster, CA...sure would love to know who it's from...as well as others!

...you didn't take horseback riding lesson's at O'Connor's at the corner of State Street and Gifford Street Road ..and you didn't want to be on a horse named Junior at the back of the pack..he was an ex race horse!!!

going with your mom to Sears on the square to buy Buster Brown shoes.  the lunch counter at Sears. shopping at Howland's.  the family restaurant at Kmart on Washington street hill.  (hot ham and cheese and chocolate milk)  remember Carroll's on state st.  fried clam sandwiches?  getting to paint the windows at burger king for Christmas if you went to holy family.  Mrs. Busbee at holy family?  spending hours during the summer exploring the "Wiley woods"  best of all, being able to swim at Massey Street pool during the winter.  the water was so warm and you could dive off a high board.   L. Taylor  Oldsmar, Florida

Wow.What a wonderful list.  Honored to be a part of it.  Yeah I remember listening to "Beamer" on WOTT.  I'd get off the air then head out to Rex Ennis's church for party time.  Thanks for the great memories.

Steve "Beamer" Behm, Burbank, CA.

...you don't remember heavily armed soldiers patrolling around the National Bank of Northern New York on Camp Drum paydays when the Armored Cars came to get the money.

...you don't remember playing basketball at the salvation army when it was next to the Olympic theater on state street right off the Dquare, with Laurie and Jill

Going to camp drum for the Boy Scout jamboree, a lot of sand flies

Climbing up on the flat rooftops over looking the Square and spending the night watching the stars and drinking ripple, with Joe F.,Dick E. and Mike P.

Hitchhiking to wescotts beach all summer long

Ancient Rulers, Mongols and other assorted fantasies of street gang wanna be's

Railroad shack on the square where my dad worked as a switchman directing the trains in and out of town,when I was 5 y/o we would hop the moving trains, while he held me in one arm

Rebel (my dad) and Bill Brett playing country music at the sugar bowl and Atomic restaurant/bars on Friday nights, later going to Art's Jug to eat.

The museum on Washington St. next to the times with the real shrunken head and Indian remains/artifacts

Playing in the old stone dungeons behind Holy Family School, Sister Mary Angela"s baseball bat,Sister Scholastica (what a name) had a paddle with holes that left an imprint on you for several days

This is a wonderful sight and brings back a lot of memories, thanks Don in Spradlin, Tennessee

...Taking music lessons from Mr. Collins...
...Dorr's Dairy glass bottles that said "Keep Me Cool and I'll Be Good" and how the cream froze within two minutes after early morning delivery in the winter.
...Hearing car tire chains when you wake up on a winter's morn, know that there was a snowstorm that night and turning on WWNY to see if you had school that day.  
....eating french fries with gravy at Howard's after school.
....Hitching a ride on the bumper of the bus heading down Superior Street to ice skate at the 9th ward playground.
...Sledding the "big hill" at the end of Superior Street
...Following Ed Wool and the Nomads to Syracuse to open for the Rolling Stones!!!
...Riding your bike from the North Side to Thompson Park Pool.
...if you don't remember the flying red horse at the Mobile station at the end
of Court Street Bridge on Main Street!
Sandi Williams Walchak in Golden, Colorado

lasted updated: 5/18/2003, 9:00 a.m.

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