Webb City Missouri Reports In!

Paige went downtown in Webb City Missouri to shoot the Bradbury Bishop Deli. The Deli doesn't have their own web page, but the Cruise Night they sponsor does. Here are some photos she took with her regular digital camera, and her report:

I couldn't wait to help start this project. The mail didn't seem like it could come fast enough! After lots of thought about where to take my single image, I finally decided on something right in my home town. I took my shot at the Historic Bradbury Bishop in downtown Webb City, MO. Webb City is an old mining town in southwest Missouri, just to the north of Joplin. During the late 1800s and early 1900s Webb City was part of the "Tri-State Mining District" at the time the world's largest and most productive lead and zinc mining field.

The history of the Deli (from the image of the menu.)

Where Route 66 & The Good Ole Days Meet

in 1887 this building was originally to be a bank, but instead became the Yankee Drug Company. A pharmacist by the name of C.S. Bradbury purchased it in 1916 and changed the name to the Electric Drug Company and in 1927 he installed a soda fountain made entirely of wood and every day would have ice delivered since refrigeration was not available at that time. Across the street where Bruners is now was once the Teel Drug Company. Both companies sold fireworks. In June of 1931 a Teel employee shot a roman candle though the front window here igniting all the fireworks, which in turn blew out the entire front of this building. After remodeling the building was renamed Bradbury Drug Company. Mr. Bradbury's daughter married Harry Bishop a Pharmacist and in 1939 Bradbury and Bishop became parteners and renamed the company Bradbury Bishop Drug Company. Mr. Bradbury retired in 1945 and at that time the fountain was refurbished with stainless steel and modern refrigeration. Mr Bishop passed in 1987 and the next year Eileen Nichols bought the building. Patty Grave and Don Mc Gowan once agained refurbished the soda fountian and the 50's decor was established. The new Bradbury Bishop Deli opened for business on August 25th 1988 by Todd Loudis and then to Paula Herrin, and then to Lou Gutheil. October 18th 2008 Bruce and peggy Richardson became the proud new owners and welcome one and all to step back in time to the Good Ole Days.

Don't forget to check out Paige's web page!