Dick Reid, El Rancho, WCHS TV etc

[CoolBreeze]

I posted a new page today on my local photos history website. There's probably no one alive today who would even remember this, but if you've ever driven though "The Badlands" near St Albans WV, you'd never believe what a happening place this was during the 50s and early 60s:

http://www.mywvhome.com/elrancho.htm

[fearpeddler]

dig the fender mustang the dude in the "unknown band" is playin, if he's still got that things its worth a small fortune.... and I like how you photoshopped all the diseased hookers out of the current "el rancho" pic....

[CoolBreeze]

I just noticed that he's wearing "Beatle Boots" too. I had a pair exactly like them.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Those are some awesome pictures. I remember The Sleepy Jeffers Show on WCHS-TV. I think Channel 8 tape delayed Captain Kangaroo until either 8:30 or 9:00 am during the week to allow Sleepy Jeffers to air at 7:30 am. Thank you for posting them.

[genlock]

I remember Reid's tv show for kid on channel 8.
Also Scoop and Snoop on WHIS (wvva).
I have eaten at the EL Rancho, but I thought it was further
down in St Albans.

[CoolBreeze]

To avoid any confusion, I have added a photo of what the restaurant looks like today. Some may think that the motel photo I had up was the restaurant.

[Hoosier Daddy]

I got a kick out of the old businesses listed in the press release ... Cohen Drugs, Rock Lake Pool, Channel Master Radios, Valley Bell, Embees ...

I like how you photoshopped all the diseased hookers out of the current "el rancho" pic....

I wondered if the "$29.99 and up" included a crater-faced crack whore or if you needed to subcontract ...

[CoolBreeze]

Posted 2 new photos at the bottom.

[Jet Black]

Not my area of the country, but thanks for posting those interesting photos. Man, people going out to nightclubs in ties and jackets, for cocktails and a live, non-rock band... What a different world, and one I'm sorry I missed.

[David Paleg]

I have an old copy of the AAA Tour Book from 1953 that lists El Rancho. They had 13 rooms at the time. Rates for one person ranged from $4.00 to $6.00, $6.00 to $10.00 for two. "Furnished with fans, shower baths and vented heat. Free radios available." If you think that was a great price, The Greenbrier was $19.00 to $22.00 for one person, $34.00 to 48.00 for two.

[AmpedNow]

Not my area of the country, but thanks for posting those interesting photos. Man, people going out to nightclubs in ties and jackets, for cocktails and a live, non-rock band... What a different world, and one I'm sorry I missed.

It still happens...in other places.

There's something about those old photos that strike me... The expressions on those people's faces seem much different than you see today.

Maybe photographs were something to take back then, because not everyone had digital cameras in their cell phones. But maybe it really was a different time -- a more innocent time. Their guards were down.

I don't think you could go to any high-end night club today and get the same type of pictures.

It's hard to put to words...

[genlock]

Don't forget to pack a gun and the proper colors for the gang running the club.
Drink or snort till you are stupid and then pick a fight.