Coming over the old steel bridge and cruising down Main Street into Miami Shores 60 to 70 years ago was quite different from today. Back then Main Street was called Sellars Road.
The first businesses in the neighborhood, established to meet resident’s needs, were primarily grocery stores and service stations. As the population grew after World War II, services were needed, and the Miami Shores Civic Association was formed in 1949 in an effort to secure those services. Improvements eventually secured were streetlights for the neighborhood, a walkway across the two-lane Great Miami River steel bridge, installation of natural gas for homes and paved roads replacing old gravel roads. Before the levee was built in the early 1960’s, many homes built on the Miami River shore had their own boat docks and two permanent ski jumps were built in the river. Around the corner from Sellars Road, Frank Nicholas Elementary School opened in September 1957 for students in grades 1 through 8 next to Starlite Café.
Just off Sellers Road, where Venetian Way and Swimming Hole Road are located, existed a former channel dug to bypass the river. Residents swam in the channel for recreation or would access the river using canoes. The channel by Venetian Way was eventually filled in and is now George Taylor Park.
Walking west on Sellers Road you passed Goodwins Sohio Gas station, Mickey’s Beauty Shop, Brownies Sewing Shop, The Tradin’ Post (where you could buy everything from ice cream to paint), Webb’s Market (fruits, vegetables, meats and home delivery), a barber shop and Bucks Market, where you could buy Kwiki malts & dipped dogs, pure sorghum, big red cola cola for 10 cents a bottle, fruit, veggies & candy. Just off Sellars Road on Clearview you had Humphrey’s Grocery & Meats.
I was born and raised on Cottage road. Later on, we moved up the road to 4420 Miami Shores Drive next to Duke’s Boat House.
I enjoyed seeing the pictures of the Trad’n Post.
Thanks for the memories.
Thank you Richard. Do you remember a small restaurant called the Starlight Cafe located between Frank Nicholas Elementary School and the church? It was told it was a block building and existed in the early 1960’s. I have been trying to find a photo of it or recollections of people that visited there.