Page:Brunswick 100 Years of Memories.pdf/8

== Introduction ==

A Brunswick homecoming after an absence of many years elicits remarks like- "Well, the old hometown looks the same as ever."

It's true that most of the houses built from the 1890'son are still in use. However, an unexpected number of the original buildings north of the railroad have disappeared. A second look uncovers many changes in other aspects of town life.

The greatest change is visible from almost everyone's front street; there is no smoke corning from the great stacks that made Brunswick in the first place. There are no engine whistles mourning in the night, no bumping of cars on the hump, no "caller" saying "Awl Mac, 2:30 for Pot Yard." Only ghosts and memories for those who knew Brunswick when ...

Less visible is the demise of the schedule of railroad trains carrying passengers to distant cities. No longer does the arrival of No. 3, The Diplomat, tell the town that it is 16 minutes past midnight, as it did in 1935 on its way to St. Louis. Now Brunswick tells time by its 14 commuter trains.

Many of us have memories back only to the time the town had completely vacated the area between the tracks. We recall three chain stores downtown, two groceries, and many neighborhood stores throughout the town.

By contrast, today there is one chain store, a "five and dime." The Acme, which relocated years ago near New Addition, recently closed. The A&P and Roelke's Market are no more. The last remaining neighborhood store, Moler's Market, closed in June 1990.

Elsewhere in the book is a list of barbers and beauticians of earlier years, the barbers far outnumbering the latter. Today that is reversed, with only one barber shop in town.

At one time, there were sixteen churches within the bounds of Brunswick. The Methodist was the first organized church here; now, one pastor ministers to both Methodist congregations. Today three of the original churches have passed from existence, one moved away, and twelve remain. The Missionary Alliance, as well as the Faith Assembly, relocated locally to the edge of Rosemont. The Mormon Church moved eight miles away. The early Presbyterian Church, the Reformed Church, and the Jewish congregation succumbed completely.

Before there was a Hardee's in Brunswick, there were always numerous restaurants. Especially during the first decade with the many hotels there were also eating establishments. Through it all, only the YMCA dining room has remained. Hardee's and the Village Restaurant arrived with the shopping center.

Some stores, like Darr's and Mills' Confectionary, served sandwiches and soup. The taverns had the same menu, plus beer; these included Nelson's, Darr's (later), My Sister's Place, Foster's, the Commuter Lounge, and the Metropolitan.

The first school was a small log cabin of unknown date. Located at what is now Maple A venue and "B" Street, it was replaced in 1868 by a one-room frame house which was used until 1890. This may now be recognized, enlarged, as the Baptist Church's Education Annex.

In 1890 the County erected a one-room brick school on a one-acre lot donated by W.W. Wenner. This was used until 1904, when it was removed to Wenner' s Hill as a school for the less numerous

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