FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE FREEPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

This week in Freeport – 100 Years Ago

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EXTENSIVE CHANGES AT PLAZA THEATRE: Extensive construction was slated to take place to increase the size of the Plaza Theatre, as well as include amenities for the increased comfort of its patrons. The building was to be retrofitted with a balcony, which would increase available seating by 180 seats so that the theatre as a whole provided 700 seats. Extra exits were also figured into the balcony plans. The exterior of the building was to be plastered with white stucco with green trim. Stained hardwood doors would finish off the new look of the exterior. This theatre, located north of Olive Boulevard and south of the railroad tracks, would also be fitted with a new heating and cooling system, and the entire building was planned to be elevated to accommodate these improvements. Stage equipment was to be installed to accommodate vaudeville acts. While the improvements to the Plaza were under construction, the owner switched his operations to the Liberty Theatre, which was located on Brooklyn Avenue near North Grove St. The reopening for the Plaza Theatre was scheduled for Decoration Day (now Memorial Day).

JUNIOR WELFARE DANCE:
The Post reported the first event held by the Junior League of the Soldier’s Welfare Association. This group, led by young women, was created for two purposes: to provide entertainment for soldiers stationed near Freeport, and “fulfilling the personal requests” of soldiers overseas. The group had two chairwomen: Miss Marion Jones and Miss Helen Wicks.

PEOPLE’S PARTY WINS FREEPORT ELECTION: Robert Anderson, head of the People’s Party ticket, won the village presidency with 800 votes. His running mates, Franklin Bedell and John Mahnken, both won their trustees’ seats on the board. S. Dimon Smith ran unopposed for treasurer, as did D. Frank Seaman for a collector. The electorate, which included 334 were women, also approved all of the propositions concerning village improvements and spending that were on the ballot. The voting took place at two locations: Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company for District #1, and Vigilant Hose Company for District #2.


CRANDELLS RETURN TO FREEPORT: Henry Crandell and his family returned to Freeport from Brooklyn, after purchasing the same house that they owned when they first lived in Freeport. This house was located on Ocean Avenue (now South Ocean Avenue) near Merrick Road, and was owned in the interim by Alfred Davison, a prominent attorney and member of the Freeport Memorial Library Association. When Mr. Crandell first resided in Freeport, he was on the board of education as well as involved in his church.

FASHION WEEK AT BERT’S: In order to drum up sales, the owner of Bert’s Specialty Shop set up a display of the upcoming fashions for the spring season. This shop, which sold women’s and children’s clothing, was located at the intersection of Merrick Rd. and Church Street. In addition to the article on the front page of the Post, an advertisement was displayed for this sale on page four; it listed the store’s motto as “Bert’s—The Store of Style and Value.”

FREEPORT: This section of the Post, which lists varied items of local interest, reported on the following:

  • The opening of flounder season
  • A Missionary meeting at the Baptist Church
  • A meeting of the Freeport Lodge No. 600 International Order of Odd Fellows, at which new members were to be initiated
  • A sophomore class dance at the Columbus Avenue School.