Most people have clear memories of childhood Halloween holidays due to the unique opportunity to dress up in a favorite costume or become an alter ego that has been lingering in their inmost thoughts. I bet, if asked, most adults can give a rather detailed account of favorite costumes they wore trick-or-treating.

The children in this photograph joined other young goblins and gremlins wandering on Main Street between the State House and the old Jefferson Hotel on Halloween night, 1958. The occasion was well attended by many families, and according to the old report from The State, “In droves they stampeded head over heels, down the Capital City’s neon canyon ‘midst shouts, blaaaa’s, quieter chi-chi rattles, whistles and exploding firecrackers.”

In the background is Proctor’s Fine Shoes, owned by the Proctor family, which sold the nicest heels in town. Just down the street in the1600 block of Main was Berry’s on Main, a clothing store for buying lovely dresses — a true fashion icon. Those who used to shop at these stores of yesteryear probably remember scraping together enough change to go  to the movies at the downtown cinema after having a yummy meal at the Drake’s Duck-In.

While Proctor’s and Berry’s are no longer in business, our Main Street continues to thrive with excellent restaurants and shops, the Nickelodeon Theatre, an ice cream parlor, and even a savvy bowling alley. Certainly Soda City Market adds great energy and zest with its open air markets on Saturdays. With a nod to our past and a wink to our future, Main Street continues to bedazzle and entertain people of all generations in the Midlands.