Orange History
Changes in a city always draw controversy, and a proposed zone change in Orange in 1960 had some people worried.
For the city to expand a commercial zone for a couple of blocks might “lower the bars for the wolf as well as the goats,” as one neighbor said.
The Sunday, February 14, 1960, edition of the Orange Leader, a daily newspaper at the time, reported on a record-breaking snow. The late Mary Louise McKee saved the paper because of its historical importance. Her son, Tad McKee, recently shared it with KOGT.
Bob Axelson, who later became the editor of the paper, wrote about a group seeking a zone change from residential to F-Commercial for land along Park Avenue from the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks west to 14th Street.
Doctors Howard C. Williams, Rollie Allen, C.B. Shaddock, and W.E. Jones wanted to build a medical clinic with pharmacy along Park. Neighbors did not oppose the doctors being there, but they didn’t want “the wolf.”
History shows the zoning was changed and the clinic was built. Sholars Drug Store also moved into the building. The physicians are now deceased and Sholars closed in recent years.
The clinic was designed in Mid-Century Modern by local architect Charles ‘Gale’ Cook. The building has recently been renovated, preserving the outlines of the building along with its blue tile work in the exterior walls.
Sholars Drug would not become the first locally-owned pharmacy on Park. In 1960, Paul’s Pharmacy was on the west side of the railroad tracks at Park and 10th. Nelson’s Drug Store was at 1608 Park Avenue and advertised “We Give Top Value Stamps.”
Paul’s Pharmacy building, also Mid-Century Modern, still stands and was a wig store for several years. It has a new roof style after Hurricane Laura and will become a cafe. Nelson’s is now Five Point Credit Union.
The Orange Chamber of Commerce was set to move during the weekend from Front Avenue to offices downstairs in the Jack Tar Orange House on Division Avenue. The heavy snow postponed the move.
Orange National Bank was downtown on Fifth Street. Orange Savings and Loan was on Front Avenue and advertised paying 4 percent interest. Levine’s, 504 Front, had girls Easter dresses for $1.99 and women could buy shorts from the previous year’s stock at only 99 cents a pair. Texas State Optical, 408 Green Avenue, offered a complete contact lens package for $65 with monthly payments allowed.
Census records show the city of Orange had a population of 25,605 in 1960 and Orange County had 60,357 people.
Rural areas were also looking for changes. “Kinard Estates Council Meets” read a headline on an inside page. The neighborhood far north of the city limits had a community council. They were trying to get a volunteer fire department and were hoping County Commissioner Casey J. Peveto would help solve the drainage. They also wanted United Gas Co. to run natural gas pipelines to the area.
Up in Deweyville in Newton County, school board members were once again hoping to get voters to agree to change the designation from “common” district to “independent.”
Deweyville was one of the last three “common” districts in the region. One was the Bancroft Common School District in Orange County.
In sports, Coach Ted Jefferies of the Stark High Tigers was preparing for spring football training. He had 22 returning lettermen including Gerald Edwards, who would be coming back as quarterback.
Other returning lettermen were juniors Joe Cannon, Donnie Martell, Mike Clark, John Cook, Dickie Davis, Harry Jones, Johnny Lewis, Clarence Mason, Robert Morgan, Pat Nelson, Sam Parker, John Provo, David Reese, Harry Still, and Dickie Uzzle.
Sophomore lettermen coming back were Thomas Fletcher, Charles Guidry, Jobie Irvine, Tommy Kind, Drue Norwood, and Bobby Permenter.
The Bridge City High basketball team had won the District 23-A title under coach Glenn Pearson. Players included Jimmy McDaniel, Bud Briggs, Russel Hebert, Wayne Ferguson, Tommy Hoffpauir, Tommy Halston, Wayne Brint, Ben Bythewood, and J.C. Rush.
The Mauriceville High Panthers won District 70-B basketball under Coach Bert Fling. The team had beat Evadale 63-42 for the title.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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