Do You Remember When?
By Phyllis Badgley
Some Baker City residents may still remember these businesses
Do you remember when R L. Titus opened Court House Market on the
corner of Fourth and Court streets? He sold groceries and Meats.
Later, he operated Titus' Quick Freeze near Broadway and Fifth.
He introduced a new process or freezing meats, using yellow liquid
wax, that encased the meat product, eliminating freezer burn. The
Court House Market's new owner was Marion Inman. His wife, Gertrude,
taught school at Baker High. She remains a Baker resident.
Do you remember when Baker had an established milliner? Miss Rosa
Krann could expertly fashion a ladies hat that would pass the
scrutiny of any eye. This little lady, with her foreign accident,
created masterpieces from lush velvet and straw. She located her
last shop in the Antler Hotel building on Washington Street.
Do you remember when the Underwood Hotel was on the corner of Third
and Washington? It was formerly called Sagamoor Hotel, and in later
years known as Central Hotel. In the late 30's, a family of Negro
entertainers came to Baker, and the only place they were allowed
lodging was the Central Hotel. It was still standing in 1951, but
later torn down for use as a parking lot.
On the northwest corner of Second and Washington, the building
housed Myron Motors, and there was a grocery store and floral shop
operated by the Chaves Bros. A Department store also occupied the
site. Today, it houses the Coast to Coast store.
The brick building at 1900 Resort Street was erected for Emil Weber.
A gunsmith by trade, he and his wife had living quarters upstairs.
The two story building was possibly built in the 40's.
The small frame building, two doors North of Webers, was constructed
for use by dentist, Dr. Harry J. Horton. His son, John, was a local
attorney. Upon the passing of Dr. Horton, a local organization
obtained the building and designated it as a comfort and rest
station. Tillie Farrow was in charge of volunteers. It currently
houses a beauty salon.
Names of former dentists, that I recall, are Doctors Sook, Cate,
Rossina, Young, Burchtorf, DuBois, and Tiedemann. Evidently it was
customary for dentists to locate their offices upstairs, for most
were located there.
My own foolish fear, either real or imagined, caused my knees to
shake before I even began to ascend a stairway. Thankfully, Baker's
present dental facilities are on the ground level.
Printed here with the permission of Baker City Herald
Chauncey Kirkpatrick Grocery Store
In 1910 Chauncey Kirkpatrick established a grocery store on the
corner of Broadway and Second St., which he operated for 15 years.
In 1927 Kirkpatrick established the Chevrolet auto agency at First
and Broadway. This dealership operated for 13 years until Chauncey's
untimely death. Later, son Bruce entered the automobile business for
a number of years. His son, John joined the agency, thus giving
Kirkpatrick name continuity to Chevrolet dealership in Baker.
After an interim, the business was sold. Bruce and wife Anne
retired. They continue residence in Baker city. John and wife,
Jeannie, reside in Clarkston, Wa.
Bruce's older brother Bill Kirkpatrick is retired and resides in
Baker city.
