More Havre history - from a Billings reader

By Alan Sorensen

Good news. What I lost - when our computers went down and again when my e-mail service and memory collapsed - has been renewed.

What an easy way to do a column. Just let other people know what the topic is, and if it's passionate enough, wait for them to write it for you. I figure today's information will jog more memories and we can carry this business of local businesses another column or two.

I do have to clarify one thing. I was told that the College Inn, located in the old days on the s-curve across from Northern's Old East Hall, also served as a neighborhood grocery. I originally wrote it up as a sit-down cafe.

The following information arrived via e-mail on Dec. 27, with a modest amount of editing. (I remember some of the businesses listed better from my vantage point beneath them in Bullhook than I do from their appearance at street level.)

"Alan Sorenson,

I heard you lost your list, here's mine:

Aldrich's Grocery Store about 1238 Third St.;

Central Meat Market, where Labor Temple is now;

Krinkes Grocery east across the street from the Shanty;

Preites Meat, west of Corner Bar;

Hill's Grocery at 605 Third Ave.;

Carpenter's Grocery, across street from Robin's School;

Grocery store by old high school, Eighth Street and Fourth Avenue;

Model Grocery at 617 Second St.;

Harold's Grocery in the Old Salvation Army Store;

Bill's Meat Market, where Duck Inn is now;

Bachini Grocery, next door east of where McLean Grocery is now;

Rainbow Grocery, corner of First Street and Fifth Avenue;

Unknown Meat Market where Corner Bar is now;

Pete's Shell Gas Station, corner of Seventh Avenue and Second Street, south of Border Motel;

Gas station, unknown name, VFW parking lot;

O'Leary's Grocery, corner of 10th Avenue and Second Street;

Mona's Grocery, corner of 10th Avenue and Second Street;

West Side Standard Gas Station, across the street north of the Havre Laundry;

Chuck's West Hi-Way Station, where Valley Motor is now;

Bill's Super Service Gas Station, 436 First St.;

South Gate Texaco, formerly Ike's Texaco;

Pehlke-Knudson Conoco Gas, 829 First St.;

Don's Self Service, TownHouse Inns parking lot;

Blue's Star Bakery ???;

Foster's Bakery, 615 Second St.;

McFadden Grocery, 342 Bridge St.;

Hi-Way Grocery at Seventh Avenue North and Fifth Street North;

Price Rite Market in the Masonic Temple;

K&W Grocery - ?????;

Swiss Drive Inn, east end north of old KMart;

Swiss Drive Inn, where BoxCars is now;

Goll Service Station, where Quick Lube is now;

Bachini's Service Station, 400 Third Ave.;

Tiger Evans' Service Station, 400 Third Ave.;

Filler's Sixth Avenue Grocery, 1005 Sixth Ave.;

Cormany's Grocery, 930 Third Ave.;

Standard Meat Market, 316 Third St.;

Anderson's Grocery - Amos Meat, 100 block Third Avenue;

Anderson's Grocery - Calahan Meat, corner Fourth Avenue and Fourth Street;

Havre Meat Market ????;

Herron's Service Station, 600 First St.;

Bellard's Super Station, Third Street and Third Avenue;

Larson's Texaco, Third Street and Third Avenue;

H. Earl Clack Co. Gas Station, West First Street where Dr. Beardsley is now;

Gabriel Service Station, where Hi-Ball (Shamrocks) Lounge is now;

Lanham's Super Service Station, Second Street and Fifth Avenue, where McLean's Grocery is now;

Lee's Cafe, where McDonald's is now;

Fred Boss Grocery, 200 block West Second Street, burned down;

Fred Boss Grocery, across First Street from 4B's cafe, burned down;

Round Up Bar, Highway 2 West, turn off to the city shops;

Blue Moon Tavern, west end Second Street;

Green Lantern Bar, west end Second Street;

Chain Lake Inn, across street west of Cenex Station;

B&C Dairy, 418 Third St.;

Highland Park Grocery.;

Kenny Christopherson

Billings Mt."

Thank you, Kenny.

Next time, I hope to have input from such notable local historians as Rick Harada, Frank DeRosa, Tony Kaluza and Edward O. Larson.