Galesburg Public Library

O.T. Johnson employees pose for a group photo during a "dollar days" sale in 1954.

O.T. Johnson was premier shopping experience

Readers memories

Saturday, January 28, 2006

In the late 1960s when I was in grade school, I would ride the city bus downtown after school. My mom, Dorothy Bartlett, worked in the Bondi Building. I'd stop by, say "hi," drop off my books and head down Main Street. I rarely had money (except at holiday time) but loved walking the few busy blocks of Galesburg retail. I'd peruse the wares at Kline's, Osco, W.T. Grant and more, but my favorite store was O.T. Johnson. It had so much going on. I loved the elevator but usually took the stairs. The fragrance of the hair salon seemed elegant to a 10-year old.

There was "The Spot" upstairs, which featured a clothes section now referred to as "juniors." The always bustling restaurant was a favorite place with junior high friends; each of us ordering a grilled peanut butter sandwich with chips and a Green River on the side. I bought most of my shoes there during my junior and senior high days. A clerk who often waited on me got to know me well enough to tease me about my flat feet; she made me feel special. Other clerks were always good to me; I'm sure they wondered how and why I could spend the time I did, "just looking." But I don't remember anybody being unpleasant; I always felt welcome and safe.

After looking at it several times, I bought my mom an unusual white cardigan there; it had a shawl collar. I can't remember when I bought it, but I know she had it several years. My memories all kind of meld together - I spent a lot of time at O.T. Johnson between the ages of 9 and 18. Shortly after I left for college, in the fall of 1975, the mall opened; downtown Galesburg began to quiet down. I don't remember when the store closed but know it saddened me. On Monday morning, when Mom told me about the fire, I was sad again.

I now live near Dallas, Texas. There is lots of wonderful shopping here - Nordstrom, Super Target, Barnes and Noble, many beautiful malls. I still love to shop. And knowing O.T. Johnson isn't on Main Street still makes me sad.

A little bio: I was born and raised in Galesburg, moved to Dallas in 1985; still visit Galesburg once or more a year. I am a senior copy chief in catalog advertising at J.C. Penney Co., Plano, Texas. My mom, Dorothy Bartlett, still lives in Galesburg. - Ellen Bartlett Hammons, Grapevine, Texas

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I was very saddened by the lost of O.T. Johnson's store. I have so many wonderful memories of that store. When I was hired as a state worker at the Galesburg Mental Health Center, formerly Galesburg State Research Hospital, my first paycheck was for $135 for two weeks! I remember going to the store to celebrate my first job and paycheck. I had bought a wonderful pair of leather clods that I had worn for years and last year I had to throw the shoes away as I had worn out the shoes; the shoes were over 30 years old.

Like many people that knew of the store's existence, I loved going there and look to see what was new at the store. I remember one product with affection and humor - body paint! And I wasn't too brave to buy it. I still remember the different colors you could buy. My sister Brenda had worked there in the juniors department and my aunt June had worked there as well. Both of them enjoyed working there. I am getting a memory book and write down all I can remember of this unique store as well as other memories of this blessed town. And though I live up north, I still think of myself as a proud Galesburger. I am so very sorry for the loss of this wonderful store and how it had a wonderful impact on people's lives. - Connie Patterson, Joliet

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Mother worked in the material section before she went to the sub-station of the post office. I grew up as one of the "store brats" (in my teens) and was probably spoiled by all. The ladies in the beauty parlor always wanted to work on my hair because they were going to a "show" in Chicago and my hair was easy to manage. If I wasn't there it was the book department. Becky also knew how to get into the postal sub-station to see her grandmother. Dad would pick her up from my grandparents who were baby-sitting while I worked. He took her into the store and she showed off I'm sure. - Lorraine (Peterson) Poland, Harvest, Ala.

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Nearly 20 years ago I left Galesburg for San Diego. When I received a tearful phone call from my mother telling me she was watching O.T. Johnson's burn to the ground, I took pause and nearly cried myself. I was raised in Oneida, and a trip "to town" was always thrilling as a child. But a trip to O.T.'s was the icing on the cake! It was revered as the place to shop in Galesburg.

Although I seldom get to return home these days, how disheartening it will be to come face to face with the vacancy of such a landmark. Two thousand miles, however, has taught me so many of my hometown memories will always exist in my heart. - Barb (Godsil) Robinson, Oceanside, Calif.

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I've been reading about the many memories people are sharing as to their experiences at O.T.'s, especially those of the lunchroom. I would like to share a few of mine.

I was a waitress at the same lunchroom in the middle 1960s. I, too, will never forget the wonderful doughnuts and "out of this world" soft pies. I was also very lucky to know the lady who created all of these.

It was the late Mrs. Erma Randell. She was the mother of the late Paul "Pinky" Randell. He owned Randell Bus Co. for many years.

Erma had a little place she called her own in the basement at O.T.'s directly under the lunchroom. She would put all of her baked goods, etc. on a lift they called a "dumb waiter" or "silent butler," then she would ring a bell and one of the lunchroom staff would pull it up, unload it and send it back down to her.

Very few people ever saw her unless they made a special trip downstairs. She was just as sweet as her doughnuts!

I couldn't make many tips because I was known as the "break girl" and most of my customers were store employees on their break.

I'll never forget one of my customers though. He came into the lunchroom with two other men. He was the biggest man I had ever seen. My boss, the late Jane Stegall, told me to take good care of him. It was Johnny Weismuller (Tarzan). He was in Galesburg for a sports show sponsored by Gale Ward Sporting Goods.

Some other co-workers I remember are the late Nellie Tracy, the late Vivian Perrigo, the late Dorothy Roelle and the late Marie Stewart, cashier.

Oh, by the way, the lunch room was on the first floor in the northwest corner by the elevator. And the doughnuts didn't have any holes in the middle.

Thanks for listening. - Annilee Kunkle, Wataga

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My wife, Marna, and I have followed the story on the fire at the former O.T. Johnson store with considerable interest. We both remember O.T.'s very well.

Marna was particularly pleased with all the comments about the wonderful pies, cakes and doughnuts served at the lunch counter. Her grandmother, Erma Randell, was the lady who made them for some 30 years.

Fortunately for me, Marna has all of Grandma Randell's recipes and learned all of her "trade secrets" while helping out in the kitchen at "O.T.'s." While the store is now nothing but a memory, I still enjoy a "piece of history" from time to time. - Charles Briggs, Abingdon

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Galesburg hasn't been my actual home for over 34 years, but I was very sad when my uncle and sister e-mailed me the story about the fire. I grew up believing that the best shopping around started when you walked through the doors of O.T. Johnson's. I bought all of my Nancy Drew books there and spent many hours on that floor in-between floors browsing, always a favorite spot of mine.

Every school year started with new clothes and shoes from O.T.'s and, of course, you had to visit the jewelry department for accessories. I remember the dress we bought for my first grade picture as well as the sweater worn for the high school graduation shot. In the late '60s The newly created teenland was the "neatest" place to purchase hotpants and, of course, don't forget the mini-skirts and peace symbols. I met my friends there for lunch and hours of shopping. If there was something special you were looking for it could almost always be found at O.T.'s. I have never shopped at another store that made you feel like that old place did.

Galesburg lost a huge chunk of history Monday night, so we just have to hold on to our memories all the tighter! -Becky (Wilson) DerYeghiayan

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O.T. Johnson's building will be sadly missed by many, although my mother, Bonnie Logsdon, will indeed miss it most. Bonnie was the head buyer for the boys department for many years. I remember she had the best staff and best friends a person could ask for. Ardella Dempsey was my mother's right hand and a lot of times me and my sisters also. Twyla and La, from cosmetics, were very, very valued friends. Bonnie moved away several years ago and has lost touch with many old co-workers. Let's keep the spirit of O.T.'s in our hearts. - Diane Logsdon Walsh and Bonnie Logsdon Meisenheimer