State Street Memories - 1970s
I came up to Madison from Shorewood, WI in the summer of 1968 for the Summer Orientation and Advance Registration (SOAR) program. Like all incoming students, I was assigned a dorm room for the two or three days of the program. Arriving on campus, my first phone call was to the big brother of a high school buddy who was entering his senior year and lived in what I regarded, at the time, as the best most prestigious location in Madison. I got him on the phone, explained what I was doing in town, and in the truest Madison "summer of love" fashion, got an immediate invitation to stay at his place. Of course, I could not turn down this opportunity to live the college life, even for these few days. So I grabbed my things, abandoned my dorm room, and hurried over to meet my new sophisticated UW soon to be mentor-friend. Over my few days in Madison, I took placement tests and got my pre-registration business taken care of. I don't know whether anyone at the dorm ever realized I was missing in action, but I quite happily spent my evenings learning about Russian literature, and my nights camped out on a lumpy sofa in his third floor walk-up over the Pub!
Jim Charne '72
Santa Monica, California
P.S., Have not seen or heard from my friend's brother since he graduated.
Jim Charne '72
Santa Monica, California
P.S., Have not seen or heard from my friend's brother since he graduated.
I guess it's been a long time since I've been back to Madison if Rennebohm’s has morphed into Walgreen’s. I can remember, however, when Rennebohm’s featured huge plate-glass windows on State Street, not the thick and narrow "gun-slit" glass that replaced the big windows after students repeatedly smashed them during the protests of the late '60s. For some reason, Rennebohm’s was usually the first place angry students took out their frustrations. Maybe it was the prices; maybe it was just the ease and obviousness of the target. You can change the name, but you can't replace the memory.
Steve Klein ’70
Fairfax, Virginia
Steve Klein ’70
Fairfax, Virginia
Thoughts of State Street bring back memories of my four undergraduate and two graduate years like nothing else. I lived on State Street my senior year, above a long gone sporting goods store and a few doors up from Taco Grande. I once ate my way through the entire menu in one visit. "The Pub." Need I say more. On a visit to Madison last summer, it still smelled the same. Sacred Feather, one of the best hat stores I have ever been in, in any city. Even I looked good in their hats. Ella's Deli, nothing better than some late night matzo ball soup. And the best food stop: The Parthenon. The gyros are unparalleled and is a must-stop for every return to Madison. Halloween!!!
As I said, I lived on State Street my senior year. I proposed to my future wife in the apartment, now 28 years ago. We thought we were so sophisticated when we invited my parents to the apartment for dinner (I made a really bad lasagna). I was awakened one night by a dog scratching at the apartment door. Later that night she gave birth to puppies in the hallway. She was trying to get back to her own home, but was one floor off. I lived on the second and she on the third. State Street that Great Street.
Gregory Juedes ’78, MS81
Franklin, Massachusetts
As I said, I lived on State Street my senior year. I proposed to my future wife in the apartment, now 28 years ago. We thought we were so sophisticated when we invited my parents to the apartment for dinner (I made a really bad lasagna). I was awakened one night by a dog scratching at the apartment door. Later that night she gave birth to puppies in the hallway. She was trying to get back to her own home, but was one floor off. I lived on the second and she on the third. State Street that Great Street.
Gregory Juedes ’78, MS81
Franklin, Massachusetts
A fond memory was walking into Rennebohm’s Drug Store on lower State Street and hearing Wanda the waitress repeat food orders to the kitchen staff.
Gary Cohen ’76, MS’80
Chicago, Illinois
Gary Cohen ’76, MS’80
Chicago, Illinois
My best memory of State Street started with the Iowa/Wisconsin football game in the fall of 1969. After a long stretch of challenges for Wisconsin football, the team, with Neil Graff as quarterback, pulled out an exciting victory in the fourth quarter. I was in the student section for the game, and stormed the field with everyone else after the game, without any unfortunate consequences.
Later that evening, it seemed most of the student body gathered at State Street to celebrate. This was before the library or pedestrian mall. Regular traffic was still allowed on State Street. State Street was packed with people, including the street. Even so, some unfortunates still tried to drive up the street, with less than satisfactory results.
The highlight of the evening, however, was when I was standing down by the Pub bar with my friends. Suddenly, Elroy Hirsch, who had just been appointed Athletic Director, showed up. Several people hoisted Elroy upon an awning, which my fading memory recalls was part of the entrance to the Pub. This occurred about 20 feet from where I was standing. Elroy had been enjoying the evening, so the fact that he could stand on the awning, without major injury, was a testament to his athletic skills. He gave a short speech, which basically said "we were the greatest fans in the world". He then moved on to entertain other students.
With all that has occurred since, that still remains my best State Street memory.
Dennis Barnum ’72, MS’73
Madison
Later that evening, it seemed most of the student body gathered at State Street to celebrate. This was before the library or pedestrian mall. Regular traffic was still allowed on State Street. State Street was packed with people, including the street. Even so, some unfortunates still tried to drive up the street, with less than satisfactory results.
The highlight of the evening, however, was when I was standing down by the Pub bar with my friends. Suddenly, Elroy Hirsch, who had just been appointed Athletic Director, showed up. Several people hoisted Elroy upon an awning, which my fading memory recalls was part of the entrance to the Pub. This occurred about 20 feet from where I was standing. Elroy had been enjoying the evening, so the fact that he could stand on the awning, without major injury, was a testament to his athletic skills. He gave a short speech, which basically said "we were the greatest fans in the world". He then moved on to entertain other students.
With all that has occurred since, that still remains my best State Street memory.
Dennis Barnum ’72, MS’73
Madison
The Pub was my favorite State Street hangout. It had great pinball machines, hot dogs, and cheap beer. So many good friends and I would sit on the bar stools next to the window on State Street. We’d actually rate the people — men and women — who walked by, on a 1-to-10 basis and hoot and holler. Few of us incidentally, would've earned more than a 2 by our own ratings. But we had so much fun. Looking back with regret, I missed a few classes preferring those great conversations and warm friendships to class work.
Brigid Richards ’73
Novato, California
Brigid Richards ’73
Novato, California
I remember the Annual Spring Riots - at least that's what we called them - during the late 60's and early seventies. We were living in an apartment facing onto State St right over the old Cardinal Beauty Shop at the corner of Hawthorne Ct and State. The anti-war protesters used to set fires in the middle of State St. and the Madison police would come along in their "battle wagons", old beat-up grey panel trucks, and plow right through them, scattering burning trash in all directions. Then they would hit everyone with tear gas or pepper spray just for good measure. We used to have to put wet towels around our windows to keep the fumes out. Sure broke up the monotony of studying.
Dave Rasmussen ’72
Dousman, Wisconsin
Dave Rasmussen ’72
Dousman, Wisconsin
The Sixties were great years for State Street, whether watching Johnny Mathis, the Smothers Brothers and Sonny and Cher live in the theaters; bowling and eating at the Plaza Bowl; having a choice of multiple record and book stores; weekend meals at the Pancake House, Brat House and Porta Bella; helping out "rookies" at the KK; watching the white People's Bikes disappear within a week; and as my wife says - watching people as no one is out of place on State Street in Madison!
Al Hintz ’70
Danville, Illinois
Al Hintz ’70
Danville, Illinois
I love the fact that State Street was MY street. As a student it was HOME and, at the same time, a wonderful, exotic adventure; head shops and heartbreaks, delis and diamonds - it was all there! Ella's hot fudge pound cake sundae, Thursday night's at the Pub, the impromptu block party after the win over Nebraska, always seeing someone you knew at any time day or night, those experiences on MY street are a valuable part of who I am today. The environment and ambiance was comfortable and predictably unpredictable, allowing for open eyes to absorb the new and different. State Street was the testing ground for all the newly acquired life skills of an "independent" college student.
Barbara Thiede Nelson ’79
Oak Park, Illinois
Barbara Thiede Nelson ’79
Oak Park, Illinois
My best memory of State Street was on Halloween 1977. I was always amazed at the high level of creativity and effort put in on the costumes worn by students, but there was one that really stood out that year. Someone dressed up as Elton John playing the Pinball Wizard (from Tommy). He was strapped atop two huge platform shoes that were about 3 feet high, and plodded along one big step at a time. He also wore the whole sparkly Elton John costume including the colorful clothes, special hat with a silver pinball at the top, oversized crazy sunglasses, and lots of lights that flashed on and off. A crowd massed around him, looking up and pointing with big smiles and cheers as he waved to his fans. As I too cheered, watching him lumber through the delighted crowd, past a light pole with a student hanging from the top, and around students trying to start a fire in the middle of the street, I realized these images of fellow students will be etched in my memory for a lifetime. These images have helped me to remember my days of fun and learning at one of the great universities of our nation.
Brian Petermann ’78
Overland Park, Kansas
Brian Petermann ’78
Overland Park, Kansas
My roommate, Marilyn Gandt, and I moved to an apartment above Brown's Bookstore on State Street our senior year at UW Madison 1971-1972. We thought we had it made with our walk in closet and air conditioning in a newer apartment after living in a basement apartment the year before. We also had a great landlord, Gene Osborn, who always promptly took care of repairs or complaints. Rennebohms (Rennies) was directly across the street where Walgreen’s is now located. Our favorite thing on Sundays was to go there for breakfast. On the corner of Lake Street and State Street was University Book Store which was very handy and next to that on State Street was the Kollege Klub "KK". All we had to do was look out the window to see how long the line was to get in. Our last week of school we were both fortunate enough to have enough money left over to go there for lunch several times. Manchesters, Yosts and Oriental Specialties were all within a few blocks. Snowball was always present washing windows. Also Paisans was in the lower level of the Porta Bella restaurant and we loved going there for the garibaldi sandwich. The downside was listening to the Hari Krishna standing outside of UW Bookstore Saturday afternoons chanting and the tear gas used on Vietnam War protestors drifting through our windows. We could not have had such a great year if we had lived some where else.
Margaret "Peggy" Langbecker Amend ’72
Pardeeville, Wisconsin
Margaret "Peggy" Langbecker Amend ’72
Pardeeville, Wisconsin
I lived in Madison from 1967 - 1977 and spent a lot of time on State St. I remember rallies during the Vietnam Protest Years waiting in line to hear Peter Paul and Mary, dodging tear gas and picketing. I remember marching from the first football we ever won during my undergrad years [Iowa in 1969] down State St. praying that the National Guard at the Capitol wouldn't fire on us. It was a drunken mass of people over turning cars with Iowa plates, falling, yelling and generally having "fun". I remember the state high school basketball tournaments when we'd be going out and carloads of high school kids would drive by mooning everyone they could. State St. was an important part of my Madison years and the memories are too many to write down.
Abby Hotchkiss ’71, MS’73
Huntington Beach, California
Abby Hotchkiss ’71, MS’73
Huntington Beach, California
I distinctly remember a vegetarian restaurant on State St. which served a dish made with their Champion Juicer. It was frozen bananas and strawberries which came out like frozen custard. It was addicting. I bought a juicer to just do them for myself when I was in graduate school in the 80s.
In the 70s I have a memory for the club called the Bachelor's Three. It was just off the square and had three levels. Folk down stairs, something else in between and then dancing on the third level. That was where a friend visiting from St. Lawrence in Appleton decided we should get drunk. Being my first time I had no idea what would happen. By the time my boyfriend got done with his Organic study group I think we were both there. I was able to walk the distance down State St. toward Chad dorm where my friend was staying with old high school friends. Not before I made a stop in front of the Brathaus to leave the rest of the contents of my stomach. Needless to say I felt fine the next day because I left all of it out of my body. My friend was not in as good of shape. Later that school year she was killed in a car accident return to school from her home in a snow storm. The memory of that night will always live on as she introduced me to what I would never do again. Drink that much.
Not sure that was what you were looking for but it is always clearly repeating itself in my head. Would love to hear what others wrote. A great idea! I would imagine you had a lot of responses.
Mary McCutcheon ’75, MS’85
Eden, Wisconsin
In the 70s I have a memory for the club called the Bachelor's Three. It was just off the square and had three levels. Folk down stairs, something else in between and then dancing on the third level. That was where a friend visiting from St. Lawrence in Appleton decided we should get drunk. Being my first time I had no idea what would happen. By the time my boyfriend got done with his Organic study group I think we were both there. I was able to walk the distance down State St. toward Chad dorm where my friend was staying with old high school friends. Not before I made a stop in front of the Brathaus to leave the rest of the contents of my stomach. Needless to say I felt fine the next day because I left all of it out of my body. My friend was not in as good of shape. Later that school year she was killed in a car accident return to school from her home in a snow storm. The memory of that night will always live on as she introduced me to what I would never do again. Drink that much.
Not sure that was what you were looking for but it is always clearly repeating itself in my head. Would love to hear what others wrote. A great idea! I would imagine you had a lot of responses.
Mary McCutcheon ’75, MS’85
Eden, Wisconsin
State Street has so many great memories . . . "Snowball,” Rennebohm's, the theatres, Ella's Deli, Manchester's campus store, Victor music, the K.K., the Pub, the shoe store "Compared to What?", the "ETC Shop", all the street musicians that used to hang out and play percussion, the Brat Haus, Tellus Mater, the corner grocery stores / liquor shops, Pic-a-Book, University Book Store, Brown's Book Shop, Goodman's Jeweler's, "The Tree and the Poodle" ( i think that's what it was called!) ......... there were so many incredible places that flood my mind with heartwarming memories..... but who could forget the famous ''Renne's'',,,,,, the soda fountain -- loved sitting at the counter on those stools -- and they had the best chili !!
There were also many talented people who are now-famous in the entertainment industry, that used to be around campus & State St.
The library mall.
That was a vivid experience. What a blast, daily! My brother, Jay, owned a candle factory on E. Wilson St., next to Berman Buckskin -- now where Rubin's is – and I used to peddle candles on the ledge to the side of the library, on the State St. side. A friend even made a special peddler's cart for me to set up shop. We made novelty candles, ahead of their time, actually and they were beautiful -- and popular, too! In the factory, we manufactured a variety of candles and sold them to stores throughout the U.S., in the major department stores and in independent boutiques, and the extras were sold at the location and at the mall. If i remember correctly, Chuck Beckwith sold leather goods in the mall nearby.
There were also many talented people who are now-famous in the entertainment industry, that used to be around campus & State St.
The library mall.
That was a vivid experience. What a blast, daily! My brother, Jay, owned a candle factory on E. Wilson St., next to Berman Buckskin -- now where Rubin's is – and I used to peddle candles on the ledge to the side of the library, on the State St. side. A friend even made a special peddler's cart for me to set up shop. We made novelty candles, ahead of their time, actually and they were beautiful -- and popular, too! In the factory, we manufactured a variety of candles and sold them to stores throughout the U.S., in the major department stores and in independent boutiques, and the extras were sold at the location and at the mall. If i remember correctly, Chuck Beckwith sold leather goods in the mall nearby.
State Street was a world of it's own, a culture of it's own and will never be the same as it used to be. It's still a great place but not like the "old days"...... especially the 50's, 60's, and 70's. The Street changed when cars were not allowed on it anymore; it was better then; it added to the atmosphere. "Driving down State Street" was a favorite thing to do as a child, telling our parents to go down State St. as we came back to the West side of town after being at our grandparents' house on the East side.
This is just a sampling of memories that can never be forgotten.
Elana (Lonnie) Ottenstein
This is just a sampling of memories that can never be forgotten.
Elana (Lonnie) Ottenstein
