Morris Avenue became another hub for the town’s activities and included Wat Guard’s Store, Dr. Nedrow’s home and office, Shevel’s Harness Shop and the home of the industrious entrepreneur, Leslie E. Friend. The Opera House became a focal point for Saturday night square dances, accompanied by alcohol, which sent many Lumbermen to the lock-up across the street to “sleep it off.” The Opera House transformed into the Grand Theater and began playing silent movies accompanied by Iva McCullough on piano.
The theater then offered serial episode ‘talkies’ (mostly westerns) that continued the next week and classics like Ben Hur and the Ten Commandments. The movie cost 15¢, and popcorn 5¢. The theater also hosted musical variety acts from Fairmont and Wheeling, WV radio stations. The Grand Theater became a bowling alley and burnt down when the boiler exploded in 1965.
Red Jenkins’ barber shop included a restaurant and bar. Upon Red’s retirement the barber shop was taken over by Bill Durham, then Davie Sellers. The barber chair can be seen at the Friend Family Assoc. Heritage Museum.
The 10 Pin Alley came and went and Yank Holman’s Blacksmith Shop and Shevel’s Harness Shop attended to the needs of a horse drawn era. The Leslie and Ida Friend Home was built with German siding around 1885 by Mr. Kerling, who received a $125 bonus for completing it in one year. Leslie Friend started the bank, the flour mill and at one-time operated the largest
department store in the county.
This view of the river is a good place to spot the Bald Eagles that are nesting somewhere nearby and often fly along the river fishing.
Visitors to Morris Ave might get an opportunity to meet Lucy the goose. She just showed up in 2015 and has been hanging around Morris Ave and the corner of Walnut Street ever since. No one really knows why she showed up. In 2016 she brooded 24 eggs for over 30 days in the front garden of the Leslie E. Friend home, but alas none hatched. She has become somewhat of a celebrity and several people drive by regularly to see her. The residents of the street keep her safe and provide her with little bits of food. In the summer she travels down the river and appears to hang out in the big pool around the bend. A male canada Goose sometimes visits with her. She has always been very friendly but only a few trusted neighbors can touch her. If you are lucky you might just spot and meet her. Please keep her safe and please don’t feed her.
