Boom Days! - Freedom Magazine Presents The History of Clearwater Florida Part VI

Crystal Ballroom of the Fort Harrison
The Crystal Ballroom of the Fort Harrison as it appeared in the 1920s (top) and the magnificently restored ballroom today (above).

The “corner drugstore” was more than just a business in Clearwater’s “Roaring Twenties.” Michael Sanders writes of this feature of the era:

“The Scranton Arcade was a part of the social life of downtown Clearwater in the 1920s and 1930s, according to Mrs. K.A. Hamlin of Clearwater. ‘Going to town’ was part of Clearwater life as people would park in front of one of three drugstores on Cleveland Street within a two-block area, toot their horns, and await the friendly face of the ‘curb-hop’ boy.

“Johnny Livington, president of the Pinellas Title Company, started his career as a curb-hop at the Scranton Arcade Drugstore owned by Dr. Mizell; this was the most popular with the young people. Johnny knew everyone and everyone knew Johnny. Life was happy, uncomplex, and safe while many an hour was whiled away sipping a coke or a milk shake on a tray which was attached to an open window. Young people would visit back and forth between cars, some cruising from one to another so as not to miss anything. Other stores in the arcade included the Postal Telegraph Company, the post office, Rellop’s Smoke Shop, Frank J. Booth Insurance, a newspaper office, a beauty shop and the Dutch Kitchen.”