Saguache stores and businesses of the 30’s — my last, visit along Memory Lane was Lottie McEntyre’s “Rialto Theatre.” Continuing North, the next stop is the square brick building across Main St. from the Saguache Hotel. This building was enlarged and used as a home several years ago by Lucy Williams. For many years prior to this, it was used as a doctor’s office. I have heard that Dr. Pugh, M.D. and the dentist, S.O. Swartz had offices here. I remember when Dr. Vance, O.D. and also Dr. Stone, dentist, used this building for office space. In the late 30’s and early 40’s this was the site of Jim Dudley’s barber shop. (who remembers the red and white striped barber’s poles that were a common site at all barber’s shops?)

Just North of there, presently is a vacant lot, owned by Dr. Coonan (he served this community several years ago as a member of the National Health Service.) Many years ago J. J. Keller had a frame building at this location which housed a hardware store. Down thru the years, this building was used for many different purposes. During the Depression years, R.O. Buckley was having a hard time making a living as the town’s mortician (Ray said the town was just too lively!) So, with no past experience in the cleaning business, Ray opened a dry cleaning shop at this location. In conjunction with this operation Ray also sold men’s wool suits. The customer selected the material, Mr. Buckley took all the measurements and within about 30 days the suit was delivered by parcel post.  From time to time the suppliers sent Mr. Beckley new books of suit samples.  He gave lots of suit samples to my dad who made two wool quilts out of them.  The quilts have seen lots of service  down thru the years and still have many warm memories for me.

P.S. I just learned the history of the square brick building which is across Main St. from the Saguache Hotel. It was built by Lucy Broome Evans and operated as a bakery and restaurant.