The remnants of The New Westerner Tourist Courts built in 1945 are stilll standing at 2514 South Zangs Blvd. at Elmore Street, about midway between Illinois and Saner Avenue. I used to think I must have been mangling street names by saying “Zangs” instead of “Zang”, because I never see it written with the s at the end anymore. This postcard tells me somebody decided to drop the “s” somewhere along the line. Will we ever find it? I think this card is late fifties or early sixties from the phone number, although it may have been some kind of reprint or corrected version of an earlier card. Below is another postcard view which includes the swimming pool area. The building is still in use as a motel, but you can see in the bottom photo the original sign is gone.

Though it says “Gum” repair, I’m guessing they meant to say “Gun”. Ketchum and Killum was primarily a sporting goods store in operation from at least 1953-1966, selling guns, boats, and camping equipment. 1962 was a particularly good year for them as consumers made a run on guns after the Cuban missile crisis. Back then you could buy guys at local department stores Sanger Harris and Titches, but that’s another story. I’m guessing this matchcover is Ketchum and Killum in their post-heyday when they switched over to renting U-Haul trailers and repairs.

I haven’t found an actual person yet answering to the name of either Ketchum or Killum, and I’m thinking whoever came up with this moniker missed the boat by not calling the business “Ketchum, Killum and Eatum.” (They must’ve sold Coleman stoves……)

334 W. Kiest is now an enclosed empty lot just south of the Hwy 67 – I35 split, and seems to be a parking lot.

It was a real feather in the cap for Oak Cliff when the Golman-Oak Cliff Baking Company opened May 12, 1930. Two years earlier the Oak Cliff-Dallas Commercial Association had sought out a number of businessmen, hoping to attract large industry to Oak Cliff. Jake Golman responded by building a 15,000 square foot bakery at Eighth and Marsalis. The architect was J.A. Pitzinger, who designed a number of Dallas buildings, including the Science Place at Fair Park and the building on Commerce Street now known as Mitchell Lofts. Doris Jane Black of Oak Cliff High School was named “Cliff-Maid” to represent the bakery. The company employed about 45 Oak Cliff people and had a fleet of six trucks to deliver the bread to local retailers. The plant manager had the unlikely name of Herman Munster.

By 1953 the bakery had been sold to the National Bakers Services, Inc.

Dry Cold Melons and Ice Cold Arkansas Cider – perfect for those sizzling summer afternoons (although I can’t say I’ve personally ever tasted Arkansas Cider.) H.C. Albin and A.C. Albin may have been a fruit stand located at 641 W. Davis, and would have been between Van Buren and Llewellyn Streets. I’m guessing this is from the early 1940s.

The Green Hut Cafe - 113 W. Jefferson

The Green Hut Cafe was open for at least ten years, from about 1938-1948. It was first located at 244 W. Jefferson, and then moved across the street and down a block to 113. Its slogan was “Finest Foods at Popular Prices”, but in 1943 an injunction was issued against its proprietors for selling beer in excess of wartime price ceilings. In March 1948 the cafe suffered damage from a fire that started in its kitchen, which also damaged several neighboring businesses. It may never have recovered.

Red Bryan's Smokehouse

610 W. Jefferson, phone Y 2-2350

The first Bryan smokehouse was started by Elias Bryan in 1910. His son, William Jennings “Red” Bryan brought the family business to Oak Cliff about 1935. Red’s son, William Jennings Bryan Jr, or “Sonny”, continued the tradition when he opened his own smokehouse in 1958. Red died in 1973, but you can still get Sonny Bryan’s barbecue today. Oh, and you may recognize this building; it’s now El Ranchito Restaurant.

Austin's in 2000 just before it was demolished. Thanks to Scott Dorn for use of his photo

probably before 1966 - note phone no. FE 7-2942

“Tender as ol’ Austin’s Heart” was the familiar saying associated with this Oak Cliff favorite. Owner Austin Cook started the business at 2321 W. Illinois off Hampton Rd. in 1949 with five booths, three tables and five stools.In 1966, after several expansions the restaurant could hold 120 people. Officer J.D. Tippit moonlighted at Austin’s in the early sixties, as crowd control on rowdy Friday nights. Austin Cook was active in the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce for many years, and he also owned the Big Daddy Grill on Highway 67 near Kiest.

The building was demolished to make way for a new Eckerd’s (now CVS) pharmacy.

photo by Chris Anderson

See more photos by Chris Anderson

A great old garage sign. Bet it was something when it was lit up.

ad from 1972 Sunset High School yearbook

Raven Pharmacy was founded by George A. Raven, a native of Bridgeport, Wise County, Texas. After completing pharmacy college he came to Dallas in 1937 as a medical service representative for Eli Lilly & Company. Raven was a well-known business and civic leader in Oak Cliff.

In 1946 Raven Pharmacy was located at 326 W. Jefferson.

In 1956 there was a Raven Prescription Pharmacy at 3411 S. Lancaster.

In 1957 Raven owned two drug stores in Oak Cliff.

In 1972 there were four Raven Pharmacies in Oak Cliff; at 122 W. Colorado, 500 W. Jefferson, 400 E. Centre St., and 2401 W. Kiest.

The Raven Pharmacy at 500 W. Jefferson is concrete masonry, tilt-wall building built in 1957. The property remained in the Raven family until 2002, when it was sold. After four years the property was sold again. The building is now owned by Patel Vikas, doing business as Ravens Corner Pharmacy.

The Raven Pharmacy at 2401 W. Kiest & Hampton is a podiatrist office now.