SECTION THE MICHIGAN DAILY SUNDAY. DECEMBER 9, 1962 WTruw IAkre _________________________cZANAa 1 E4 t 'JE lk FROM JOE'S TO THE PARROT: Prohibition Brought Student 'Hangouts ' Up to Campus THE SHANT-Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity built this "temple" or meeting house in an open field in 1879. Now in the middle of a commercial area, the building is still used for chapter meetings, although members don't march down as they used to. Delta Kappa Epsilon 'Shant' Oldest Building in State Area The oldest building in the pres- ent State Street area is "the Shant," the temple and official meeting hall of the Omicron Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon. Formerly standing isolated and a significant landmark of the area, "the Shant" now is surrounded by a variety of stores, garages, apart- ments, and alleys. However ob- scured by the newer buildings, this century-old structure is an unusual and memorable sight to passersby on East William. Plain Facade One is struck by the basically plain facade of the worn brick walls, the sense of mass and solid- ity broken only by the high arched window and the entranceway pro- tected by a large iron gate. The feeling of impenetrability is further enhanced by the thick brick wall and wooden gate sur- rounding the small courtyard which lies in front of the Deke meeting place. There are no other windows to "the Shant", with the exception of a large skylight pro- viding direct light at the top. The total effect is one of darkness and mystery. The Dekes have had a separate chapter meeting hall since their inception on this campus in 1855. The previous halls, one located over an establishment known only as "Lutz's", the other an old Ma- Knittes Plan Holiday Gifts In Ealy Fall The unique thing about the Knit Shop in the Arcade is that its sales slack off when the Christ- mass rush is just beginning. Any women planning to knit Christmas presents start long be- fore the average shopper takes her boots and checkbook in hand. However, there is still time to knit up small items-mittens, scarves, caps-in time for Santa Claus. The Shop, owned and operated by Mrs. Miriam Murray, was be- gun in 1928 and carries the widest stock of needlepoint and yarns in the Midwest. They generally make over 100 sales a day to people-out of state buyers, as well as towns- people and students. They carry anything for yarn work, including rug making, needle point, and knitting. Although they do not teach the basics, they explain patterns and send semi-finished work out for finishing. For example, they send needlepoint bags to New York for handles.' Mrs. Murray's husband sits by the fireplace in the store, engag- ing customers in pleasant conver- sation, babysittingswith the chil- dren of; customers and giving pointers on better knitting. He is as much as a landmark in the present arcade as is the arcade itself. sonic hall, had been rented or leased. It was nt iduntil 1871 that the Dekes considered building a temple of theirrown. Field Purchased In 1872 a tract of land in the middle of a large field was pur- chased. In 1878 the cornerstone was laid and at commencement in 1879 the Dekes appropriately ded- icated "the Shant". Now, to the already established traditions of the fraternity were added the midnight marches of the brotherhood to their new temple. The marches began at the chapter house located at 619 S. State Street where the Law Quad now stands. The Dekes, garbed in hooded robes and carrying torches, would march to "the Shant" to hold their weekly Saturday night meet- ings, as they still do, without the march. "The Shant" houseda large col- lection of. books and records do- nated through the years by alum- ni and friends. Prior to World War II, a fire destroyed part of this library. The remaining volumes are now a part of the University Archives and are accessible only to the Deke faculty advisor and the chapter president. UNIQUE: Curbstone Wise Men' The University has never been completely without its own unique characters, even in the early part of the century. During this time, two men would show up on State Street each spring. They would set up their stands and begin to harangue the students along the lines of the present "Hyde Park." These curbside philosophers be- came as much an institution as the "cap nights" or the freshmen getting thrown into the mudhole behind the present Jacobson's. "Railroad Jack" claimed to be a memory expert and could not be stumped on dates by even the greatest professors. In a more philosophical vein, Tom Lovell would engage the students in dis- cussion, any discussion, somewhat as one would picture Socrates doing. Prohibition b r o u g h t great changes to State Street. It withered up the old drinking places and scattered the students to many dark and now forgotten places. Never again would the en- tire student body have one or two, places where they could all gath- er. Sobriety also brought the coffee cup and the more serious conver- sations which brewed over it. The world grew more serious in those years and the students became more private. However, student life in these years did center on State Street and many of the old "hangouts" linger in Univer- sity memories. Jolly's One of the more popular student hangouts on State Street was the Jolly. It was run by Richard E. Jolly who was born in Ann Arbor of immigrant parents. About 18901 he opened his restaurant, cigar and tobacco store.] A booklet entitled "Ann Arbor Today," 1905, relates that "for fif- teen years, Jolly's has been one of the lunch stands on State Street that met every demand. They serve short orders only and have a good soda fountain, fine cigars, and a confectionary department. "In the bustle and rush of ol- lege life, this is the starting and finishing point," the booklet stat- ed. Largest Trade Samuel Breakes's Washtenaw County, states that Jolly's "has the largest trade of the kind among the students of the Univer- sity. A liberal patronage is ac- corded him because of his earnest desire to please his patrons and the excellent service he renders to the public." Another hangout was Housten Brothers Billiard Hall, stretching from Wagner's to Wild's. It pro- vided billiards and talk on the first floor and bowling on the sec- ond. Until the Michigan Union was built during the first World War it was a major State Street hang- out but billiards In the Union brought its demise. The major character of the place was set by the athletes and here was the birthplace of the "grid graphs." Before the days of radio Merchants Note Change Today's student is more a young adult than the typical "student" of yesteryear according to the results of a survey of State Street merchants. He is more serious and more of a student than his predecessor. This has been attributed to the higher academic standards of the University. as well as changing times. He is generally less fr"ous with his money and although is fashion conscious (probably due to mass media) does not go in for "fads" as much as he used to. However, students are delight- fully the same in their enthusiasm and ability to keep merchants on their toes, it is agreed. Also their insistence on quality has not changed through the years. The greatest change noticed? "They have grown younger," an old resident said. Oldest Store Bay's Jewelry Store is the oldest store in the Arcade. It made its quarters there in 1916 and has offered fine jewelry and engagenent and wedding bands to the students and towns- people ever since. a direct wire was set up on the away football game Saturdays. In bad weather the receiver would be set up in Housten's, in good weather great graphs would be set up on Ferry Field. In any case, each play would be re-enact- ed on the graphs and the score posted for all to see. Another "hangout" that chang- ed clientele but was part of the Saffell -Bush State Street scene for over 30 years was the Parrot, on the site of the present Charcoal House. Originally owned by A. H. Heald, the Parrot featured dancing and music nightly and advertised in 1927 as "the place where campus spirit dominates." The year 1928 was a memorable one for the Parrot. Stuart Churchill It was then an up and coming orchestra leader, Fred Waring, came to hear a young tenor nam- ed Stuart Churchill who sang for his meals there. Since that time the voice of Churchill has always been accompanied by the strains of the Waring orchestra. Also in that year the Parrot suffered a fire which put it out of business for two to three weeks. Since that time except for minor renovations it continued to serve the students until 1960. A writer in the Michigan Alum- nus in 1954 made a point of men- tioning that if a student could not be found anywhere else in the Uni- versiyt, to look in the Parrot. 'Parrot Croaks' However, in the fall of 1960 "The Michigan Daily" carried a small editorial entitled "Parrot Croaks." It read: "A part of the University passed away this summer. It didn't die with a squawk, it didn't ruffle University feathers, but it's gone. The Parrot, where coffee was cheap but talk was cheaper, is no longer detouring State Street traf- fic through its blue door. "No more food to friends of the waiters, no more coffee for the athletes and sundaes for the co- eds. At least not at the Parrot, for where else can one have coffee while watching friends go to 10, 11, 1 o'clock classes? A landmark has passed. Many will miss it." A few others that are vivid in State Street memories are Dad Skinner's and Stoffet's College Inn. Dad Skinner's sold Michigan de- cals, pennants and other souvenirs to parents and freshmen until the rush of World War I engulfed it. Stoffet's College Inn moved up on State Street from Liberty around World War I and fed many a University student their three meals during their sojourn in Ann Arbor. In those days when the major- ity of students lived in rooming houses and ate out, these places were more than restaurants, they were convivial second homes. There are many other places on State Street that filled the same function for many generations of students and there will be many more to come. For State Street hangouts will be part of student life for as long as the University exists. Sets 'First' State Street has contributed many "firsts" to merchandising in the state 'and Saffell-Bush cloth- ing store has contributed its share. They organized the concept of a display in the door window in the evenings and the idea received national writeups. They installed one of the first pegged hardwood floors in a store in 1931 and then had the courage to cover them with oriental rugs. They continue in their tradition of quality and pro- gressiveness. I _]nYC * t w6. w* a P - _,- t- . r.. - -...-- -_ -- . - - ..-- II y,.F. .:, .: .,,,- , , ,4,:. . !.®.3'l..'.: A . _ ' 1_ r,4. ~ _ ' ..e..-, t -' _is y" s e.+ n =n v. "n = n rt.r' : . ' E"n .--- .,h .t ,"h_ ," ' 0 '1 I ME N 0OF tn~ilishO~ teathmr I, Dear Christmas shopper, Our shelves are crowded with wonderful books this year, perhaps the most ex- citing Christmas selection we can remember. We hope you'll come in and see them all for yourself, and solve most of your Christmas shopping problems. The perfect gift for everyone on your list: for the friend who loves art and the friend who loves A laughter, the excitement-seeker, the music man, the history buff, the lady who cooks, the sports fan, the balletomane, the wanderluster, the businessman, the scholar, the youngest new reader and the incorrigible bookworm. ",. FOLLETT'S " .Just a few suggestions from the New York Times bestseller list to choose from: FICTIONA 0. SEVEN DAYS IN MAY.............Knebel and Bailey 495 A SHADE OF DIFFERENCE..........Drury6.................695 FAIL-SAFE ... . . .......... ....Burdick and Wheeler .... . 4.95 WHERE LOVE HAS GONE...........Robbins.. . ..........4.95 . SHIP OF FOOLS ... . ..... ... ... .Porter............... . . 6.50 GENERAL TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY . ..... ..... Steinbeck..............4.95 SILENT SPRING ................... Carson ............ . ...5.00 O YE JIGS AND JULEPS ............ Hurson................ 2.50 .r THE ROTHSCHILDS . . . . . ............... Morton . . ........ . . . . .. 5.95 MY LIFE IN COURT ...... ........... .Nizer......595 Sand thousands of others to choose from v of i ,I ,, I 11 Traveling? T ite the unbreakable~, tlask. The funlT ref ill the flask withoutsWilling o , s. precious drop. J 8 ox. English Leather in crystal bot-. 4 oz. English Leather in plastic-flask... framed in handsome Redwood Chent. the Quarry, 320 SOUTH STATE STREET Hours: Monday thru Saturday 8:30 A.M.-9:30 P.M. Sunday 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. Headquarters For: Prescriptions, Photography, Cosmetics, and Sickroom Supplies BUY ,AND BROWSE, at . F OLLETT'S ~'7~~* - - W.-16i '.: r. r...rR .:gyp .-: : + -_.-. .-: :-.' --::s9f ;:'1 w°y 7 :-: ' : :°7 ri ':3 ::s '.i:A P '^ i::' _7f",+w!r_ iE°'E"4e:tt+e.-z"-T= -TE«erxe i2.c ±eez a ^c*eaIfter akrr aw c-a^. .c-r w.._^cwrra aareerw! ret u2 .^r+ c.:LrlG.L'4 TOP AT Carnq~s $wack54 522 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor 663-0424 "THE LARGEST LITTLE STORE IN TOWN" Selling PIPES, CIGARS, TOBACCO, CIGARETTES CHF The label on te on hebox' does make -a differe RISTMAS STORE HOURS 9 to 8:30 nce pinmminm Mmmmmmmmmminw!!a!!!!!_!.4 i!!!!!!!mmmmN!!!!!!mminmmmmmmm !inmmmmmmm !!mmmw 1* f r fO .Goi'ng on a Trip?. Take Travelers Checks from r * Ann Arbor Bank along... The combination of an old-established name plus very large selections of the finest quality stock will do much to add to the value of your gifts. A FEW TYPICAL SUGGESTIONS: Pendleton virgin wool products for both men and women. Arrow and Van Heusen dress shirts. Destino and Swank finer quality cuff links and tie tack sets. Novelty gift items from deluxe shower heads to pipes, portable bars, parking meter alarms and branding irons. So many delightfully personal gifts for men of all ages.