Maplewood History: The Last Words on R.T.Kalb and Kalb Electric

By
Doug Houser
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7
345
View is to the NW at intersection of Big Bend and Manchester. Taken from 2711 Ellis. Look stright through the cars front windows. there is the facade of the building that neither I or anyone in living memory had seen. Kalb made it to the Council. Courtesy of Martin Fischer.

Although I had planned two more posts on R.T. and company, I took a hard look at what’s left and if this computer interface is willing I’ll post it all in this the 7th and last one. I found the Kalb story very interesting and hope you all have as well.

Much thanks to our collector extraordinaire, Martin Fischer, the new owners of Kalb Electric, Angie and Larry McAteer and anyone else whose material I’ve used in these posts.

This is what the collectors call new/old stock. It is an item from the Kalb hardware inventory that was never sold. I think it was used for separating hot still usable coals from ash.
This is what the collectors call new/old stock. It is an item from the Kalb hardware inventory that was never sold. I think it was used for separating hot still usable coals from ash. Collection of Martin Fischer.
More new/old stock - a utility basket of some sort. Collection of Martin Fischer.
More new/old stock – a utility basket of some sort. Collection of Martin Fischer.
Sign of the times perhaps. How many business owners would give their employees a dagger today? Collection of Martin Fischer.
Sign of the times perhaps. How many business owners would give their employees a dagger today? Collection of Martin Fischer.
Vintage light bulbs. Collection of Martin Fischer.
Vintage light bulbs. Collection of Martin Fischer.
An interesting letter proposing to add electric lights to autos that didn't have any. Courtesy of Martin Fischer.
An interesting letter proposing to add electric lights to autos that didn’t have any. Courtesy of Martin Fischer.
This is a photo I posted some time ago for a purpose that has now been forgotten. This was actually a conglomeration of buildings. The facade of the one the farthest west had always been covered during my tenure in Maplewood.
This is a photo I posted some time ago hoping to turn up an original photo of the hidden building. This was actually a conglomeration of buildings. The facade of the one the farthest west had always been covered during my time here in Maplewood. All of the above buildings that once stood at the NW corner of the intersection of Big Bend and Manchester have been demolished. A Quiktrip store replaces them.
View is to the NW at intersection of Big Bend and Manchester. Taken from 2711 Ellis. Look stright through the cars front windows. there is the facade of the building that neither I or anyone in living memory had seen. Kalb made it to the Council. Courtesy of Martin Fischer.
The view is to the north. The intersection of Big Bend and Manchester is at upper right. The photo was taken from 2711 Ellis. Look straight through the front windows of the car. There is the facade of the building that neither I nor anyone in living memory had ever seen. Kalb made it to the Council. Courtesy of Martin Fischer.

 

7 COMMENTS

  3. The building on the west side of the car dealership at Martini Drive and Manchester was a furniture and rug store in the mid 1960’s. They also had a Valley Park location if I remember correctly. It could be related to Carol House but I’m just making the leap because Carol House is in Valley Park now.
    The car dealership was Cavalier Ford and also Roper Ford before it was the ownership that eventually sold out. And on the southeast corner where CVS is now was a restaurant like a Shoneys built in the 1970’s I’d guess before the car dealership bought it for their used car lot.

    • Hi Mary, I remember the furniture store as well or at least a store selling waterbeds. This was probably in the early 1970’s. Even then the facade had been clumsily remodeled earlier. The windows had all been completely covered by whatever type of opaque (stucco?) material the remuddlers had used. It was impossible to tell what sort of windows the building had once had. I’m glad that sort of clueless renovation is a thing of the past.

  4. The “dagger” could very likely be a letter opener. Looks to be flat on one side. Letter openers were very common as gifts back then. I have one from the Maplewood Mill.

    • You are correct, Scott. It’s definitely a letter opener. I would appreciate it if you could email me a photo of your Maplewood Mill letter opener. I’ll add it to the digital pile.

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