With the new year, maybe I’m feeling a little nostalgic—or maybe using this to re-motivate myself to get back to work. Either way, here are a few more Knoxville-area signs from my ongoing old sign project. Do you have any memories tied to these?
Keeton’s Jewelers
This old sign resides in the Burlington area of East Knoxville. There are a couple of mentions of it online, and it seems to date back to the early 1950s. Did you ever shop there? Any memories to share?
Kays Ice Cream – Chapman Highway
One of several Kay’s Ice Cream shops in the Knoxville area, many of you probably have favorite flavors—and memories—of Kay’s.
The Original Freezo
If you don’t have memories of getting ice cream from The Original Freezo on North Central, it’s not too late. Going strong since 1942, may I suggest the “Full House”: a bowl of chili with a tamale. Go over the top by adding onion rings and a cherry milkshake. If this is the “original,” where were the others?
Feel free to share iconic Knoxville area signs suggestions for me in the comments. A good address and little history would be helpful.
Photographer Chris and painter Robin Rohwer each week share a painting or photograph that captured their interest in hopes that it will also capture yours. They have a small studio and gallery in the Phoenix Building at 418 South Gay Street where you can stop and see their work. Their website is www.ChristopherRobinArts.com. All works are copyright protected.
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I remember Keeton’s. The jewelry store was across the street from Cox & Wright’s IGA. A classmate and I minded the school store (Fair Garden) our sixth grade year. At the end of the school year, Mr. Kelly (Principal) and Mrs.Kyte (school secretary) presented Toni Orr and myself with a 14 kt gold necklace with a small jade pendant purchased at Keeton’s for our volunteerism and punctuality. I was so surprised. I never had something so nice!.I still have and wear that pendant.
The Mac Auto Loan sign near Emory place was iconic 1960’s looking sign (and building). I hate that it all got torn down
Keeton’s was certainly a key stop when I was growing up in Burlington. I don’t know that my family ever bought jewelry from them, but Keeten’s certainly kept family watches in good working order (this was when watches had to be wound by hand). Mr. Keeten attended my father’s funeral (McCarty’s Mortuary, just a half-block away), comforting my mom with memories of swapping stories with Dad either at his shop or in the Burlington Barber Shop next door or at the lunch counter across the street at Greenlee’s Drug Store.
Keeton’s Jewelers was owned by Lonnie Keeton (1907-1999). His obituary says he operated the store for 37 years. He was a cousin of mine, originally from Scott County.