In 1930, one year after the stock market crash, the 300 block of High Avenue East looked like this. There were five businesses out of six that sold auto tires. The three-story building on the left at 301-305 High Ave. E. was the YMCA and next to it at 307-309 was White’s Repair Shop, Clyde White, proprietor (Harlan White’s father?) that sold tires. Next, Jasper Battery and Tire was located at 311 High Ave. E. Note the vertical sign above the door. It reads “U.S. Royal Cord Tires.” Fred Jasper was the proprietor and they sold tires. Across the alley east, near the center of the picture, at 315 High Ave. is the Maplehurst Dairy Co. that sells dairy products but NO tires. Next at 315 to 317 in the two-story building was located the Seeger Auto Supply Co. — Earl Seeger, owner — and they sold tires. On the corner at 319 to 321 sat Shell Petroleum Co. Service Station, Howard Dales, manager, (could his nickname have been “Tubby”?) and they also sold tires. On the corner across the street from the YMCA, where the American Legion is now, was the Coats Brothers Auto Co. and they also sold tires. Today, there are just two or three places listed in Oskaloosa that sell tires, but back then there were 17. Today, the entire face of the 300 block of High Avenue East has completely changed. There is not an auto tire sold in the entire block.

— Chuck Russell