Frank Bladykis Knows Oyster Bay
Frank Bladykis was the first caller to identify the Jan. 20 mystery picture in the Enterprise Pilot. He said the picture was taken, “Standing at the intersection of South and West Main Street. Snouder’s in on the right.” When asked what year he thought the picture was taken he guessed, “Sixty or 70 years ago.” Actually, the photo, courtesy of the Oyster Bay Historical Society, was dated 1910.
Mr. Bladykis, who retired this summer from his longtime position as an Oyster Bay Water District commissioner said he was glad to see that Donald MacKenzie was elected, after being appointed to replace him, by Supervisor John Venditto.
“He’s a great guy,” said Mr. Bladykis, talking of Mr. MacKenzie.
For ourselves, we said we were happy about the election process since through it we, the public learned about how Mr. MacKenzie was tied to the community and attended the local schools. That of course, is always a plus in Oyster Bay.
Christine Zangari called and said, “I’m calling for the mystery picture for my son Frank Zangari. It’s the old West Main Street corner of Snouder’s drug store. It was taken, judging from the clothing in the ‘20s or ‘30s.” She was quite close too.
Belle Santora said, “I knew last week’s picture (Jan. 13) but didn’t call it in. It was Raynham Hall Museum’s structure.
“This (Jan. 20) photo to me looks like West Main Street. Snouder’s is on the corner and across the street is the appliance store. Looking down the street is Raynham Hall.
“I remember Snouder’s as a little girl, the soda fountain and drug store. The pharmacist knew you so well. Dr. Hubbard was wonderful to everyone. The soda fountain was great and they had cosmetics. I can’t remember if they had cards.
“My son worked there after school. They made ice cream cones and the Banana Splits were great in those days.
“I don’t know who painted it green. I remember it as white and it was the number one telephone in town.” [The building was painted green after an architectural expert used a paint sample from the building to identify the color originally used.]
As for what she would like on that corner, she said, “I wouldn’t mind another drug store like Walgreen’s and we desperately need stores that have clothing. When I was growing up we had (Herman) Bernstein’s store that supplied everything: shoes, coats and underwear and across from him was his brother or cousin (Dave Bernstein) who had this wonderful men’s shop with good suits and ties and stuff. You could really buy things in those days in town.
“Going to Glen Cove and Hempstead was like going to the city then. There was Arnold Constable’s and A & S and the furniture store, where I got my mahogany dining room set that I still have.
“ I feel like calling the chamber of commerce to get Country Lady back. They had beautiful sweaters and winter wear. There was Elizabeth Cullimore on Audrey Avenue that had very nice things. She moved to Huntington. The only place you can get socks is CVS or the drug stores but you can’t get good stockings. Thank God for Nobman’s – that store still exists.”
When asked to date the photo, she said, “It was taken not in this recent snowstorm, It is year’s ago.” When she heard the date was 1910, she said, “That is the year before I was born. I was born in 1911.”
Tony Pilla, now of Anniston, Alabama, sent an email saying, “I just wanted to let you know that I got the mystery picture this week on the Internet site. Thanks.
The picture looks like West Main Street, taken from South Street. “Snouder’s drug store is on the right corner. At one time there was a clothing store and a shoe store on the opposite corner. Past the corner stores on the left there was an old store called Sagan’s. I don’t remember what kind of store it was but they sold a variety of stuff.
“When I was in high school, Snouder’s corner was a big hang out for us kids. They also had the best Hot Fudge Sundaes around. I hope the town keeps the building for a historical site. Snouder’s brings back a lot of memories.”
Leven Ashby emailed an answer. “It is an early photo looking down West Main Street, where it intersects with South Street. Snouder’s Corner Drug Store is shown on the right in the picture.
“When I was a kid Bernstein’s was the store on the opposite corner. Cheers!”
Well, another wonderful mystery picture is identified. Keep on guessing and telling us more about “Your Oyster Bay.”
– DFK
