Billboard for the Corwin-Murrin Clothing (Maryville’s oldest at the time) at the Maryville Sanitary Swimming Pool (which is diagonally across from the old Washington School at First and Vine at what today is Autumn House). The pool was privately owned.
Note for 1980: will Nodaway County boys attending the Maryville Teachers College ever be the same after the strenuous event of Leap Week, which climaxed Friday night with a dance where styles were reversed? The figure on the left isn’t really a woman, but Werner Herz, Maryville, and on the right, with the long trousers, is really coed Lois Wessling, Bethany. College girls made the dates and footed the bills Leap Week. (New Tribune Photo.) Nodaway County Tribune, April 10, 1941
“Maryville’s Leap Year went full Fashion 1980 — the only thing more oversized than the shoulder pads were the town’s expectations.”
“They borrowed 1980s glam for 1941 — the hairstyles needed ration coupons of their own.”
“Men showed up in sequins and suspenders; now the barber’s offering perms and pocket squares.”
“The local tailor started a new line: ‘Convertible Suits’ — business in front, disco in back.”
“Chaperones complained the dresses were too loud. The men said it was just the sequins singing.”
“Women marched in men’s slacks and said they felt taller. Men in high heels said they felt… educational.”
“The campus paper called it ‘Retro-Future Fashion’ — everyone else called it ‘Bring Your Own Shoulder Pad.’”
“A chorus of clacks from high heels echoed down Main Street — the horses were jealous of the click track.”
“The dance floor had more power shoulders than the chemistry lab had test tubes.”
“Local grocer advertised: ‘Buy two loafs, get one Velvet Scrunchie free — while supplies last.’”
“The debate team tried to argue protocol; the fashion club countered with a polite curtsy and a disco beat.”
“After the event, the ROTC issued a new uniform regulation: optional sequins on parade days.”
“A farmer asked if the 1980 look had come with instructions. The answer: ‘Yes — one page, folded, glittered, and highly fashionable.’”
“The band upgraded from brass to synthesizer — the trumpet was offended but adaptable.”
“When folks asked which decade they were honoring, the students replied: ‘All of them — with extra hairspray.’
“They staged a Leap Year parade and everyone marched in heels. The marching instructor still called it ‘improved cadence.’”
“After the dance the campus motto changed for a week: ‘Leap first, explain later.’
From about 1900 to 1945, the section of what today is South Walnut between Lincoln and South Street was known as Lover’s Lane. There were poems about the Lane, a stories about being one of the “beauty spots of Maryville…with lovers seeking to discuss matters of interest and great moment.” It appeared on police reports about accidents in which the car lights had been turned off. The image above is a 1910 Real Photo Postcard (RPPC), an authentic photograph developed directly onto postcard paper, introduced by Kodak in 1903 and popular through the 1930s. Unlike printed postcards, RPPCs offer smooth, continuous-tone images frequently documenting local scenes, businesses, and portraits.
In 1881 (or possibly 1882), Maryville had a scare that outlaw Jesse James was staying at Dr. David Mulholland’s home, next door to First National Bank President Joseph Jackson’s landmark mansion at Lincoln and Walnut. Bankers were reported to have either sent their cash out of town or locked it up in the vault. This story is told by Joseph Jackson. A big hole in the story is that Mulholland’s obituary says he taught school in Maryville and Andrew County, but makes no mention of teaching in Jesse’s home area of Clay County. Jesse was killed in St. Joseph in 1882.
Joseph Jackson (1842-1921) was one of Maryville’s influential bankers (president of First National Bank). He was also a wounded Civil War hero. His mansion at Lincoln and Walnut still stands.
Kroger, which had operated on the east side of the square since 1948, opened Maryville’s first mall supermarket as the anchor tenant of the new Mary Mart Shopping Center in March 1957. It featured an 800-car parking lot, Value Stamps, and the introduction of Muzak (I think). Kroger would be replaced by Green Hills in 1959.
Della Behm as the Maryville investor in the Mary Mart Shopping Center and owned the Knotty Pine Motel. She earlier owned Della’s Style Salon in downtown Maryville before focusing on developing the south end of Maryville. In 1955, she announced plans for the Mary Mart Shopping Center, which included space for 800 cars. Other investors include Kansas City investors Ronald and Alice Freemyer
