This summer, my life long friend, Jim Roehm celebrates 55 wonderful years of service for hundreds of his friends at Roehm's Barbershop at 114 E. Main St., Malden, Missouri. He has cut hair for generations of families in and around Malden. Jim has truly never met a stranger. After he fixes your apron and adjust your collar, Jim's usually has a good joke or two. Jim is a Maldenite that makes you smile when you enter his shop. After sitting down in one of his very comfortable barber chairs you might be nodding off in a little nap. When I open the door to Roehm's shop, the familiar smell of all the wonderful and unique fragrances of shaving cream, "cowboy" tonic, and white powder brings back a rush of memories I have known for a long time.
Chairs that were once part of the Marble Shoe Stand are near the front door. Bill Roehm bought the Marble Shoe Stand many years ago. The original two chairs are used every day in the shop. Two very old tree hangers are ready for your coat or hat. While you wait, you can look at Jim's photographs of Beckwith Elementary School "before and after" when fire that destroyed it. Jim took the photographs the night of the fire and the next morning. There are other photo frames with newspaper articles of friends achievements.There is an 8x10 frame of small photos of the Norrid's three generations that Jim has cut hair over the years. Roehm's Barbershop has typical small town business charm that "big city folks" dream of experiencing. The tradition of "first come, first serve" carries with it a charm of seeing friends and meeting people. The day I had my haircut and photographed for the 55th anniversary, I met Jay Ward. Jay was a Nikon camera owner and he admired my Nikon. We had an enjoyable conversation of his past experiences in photography. Another neat aspect of hometown barbershop and easy conversations.
Chairs. . . this is a fascinating subject to talk about while waiting for your "turn". The wooden chairs are classic works of American craftsmanship. Jim said his Dad, Bill, bought two of the chairs from Clarence (Froggy) Kilmer and they belonged to "Froggy's" grandad. So, those two all natural chairs are wonderful antiques. No one knows their origins but it's easy to see they have been around for many years. They are tooled and finished with great loving care. While photographing for this article, Jim pointed out the natural joints of the two chairs on the right. No nails are used. A work of endurance and beauty in indeed.
One of my fondest memories of Malden barbershops was when I shined shoes at Pitt's Barbershop back in the late 1950's. Pitt's was located near the corner of Madsion and Laclede Street on the west side next to Bailey's Dime Store. I was eight years old at the time. I believe this was my first first "job". I had a great time on Saturday morning in downtown Malden. Roehm's and Pitt's Barbershops were wonderful places to hear stories and debates of the players for the St. Louis Cardinals. If one could have known how to record those conversations they would certainly be interesting collections of the times.
One Saturday morning, someone showed me how to "pop" my shoe shine towel. I would grab both ends of the rag and with a quick snap, loudly pop it and delight my customers. In my mind, I could really make that small rag move" light'n fast". On those Saturday mornings at Pitt's, I shined my final pair of shoes at noon. I left Pitt's shop and turned one block south down Madison Street and headed for my beloved Liberty Theatre. Some days I spent the afternoon and part of the early evening watching the cartoons, a serial and main feature.Sometimes I watched all of the films twice. Naturally, I had plenty of popcorn, sodas and candy for "lunch and supper".
Most of the my haircut days waiting in Rohem's Barbershop would be on Saturday mornings. Sitting in the same wooden chairs some 53 years ago I recall the familiar sound of all three electric clippers whirring away.The shop would be filled with customers. It thrilled me to see the long blade razors sharpened on long leather straps that hung from the chairs. Now, there was some expert hand movements necessary to make that blade extremely sharp! I can remember waiting for one fo the three barbers. Clipping the hairs of other customers was Bill Roehm (my Little League baseball coach of Joe's Jets), Ralphy "Shorty" Stropp and of course Jim. One of those gentlemen would give me a burr haircut. Summer time was burr time. Most young boys in 1950's and early 60's sported that easy style. In those days, the shop was located directly across Main Street where Roehm's is today.
Jim told me he was born in Malden. He joined the Air Force in 1949 and served in the Philippines. He said when he was discharged just before the Korean War was started. After the sevice, he returned to Malden and has been here ever since. "Hub City" patrons are lucky and blessed to have such a wonderful and kind person as Jim Roehm. He is very talented. The past 55 years has developed into a historical icon of downtown Malden that I had the privilege of capturing on film. During my trip to Roehm's Barbershop I was fortuante to be able to sit in my favorite chair and hear a couple of good jokes and catch up on Jim's viewpoints of his beloved Cardinals. This is truly small town America at its best. Perhaps when you visit Malden or come "back home" for family reunions, you can stop by Roehm's Barbershop. You owe it to yourself. You won't regret it. "Thanks Jim, for all the wonderful memories and smiles you have given to Maldenites and their surrounding neighbors." photographs
footnote: Liberty Theatre was my refuge and adventure. Liberty Theatre memories are a delight for thousands of Maldenites. Fortunately, the Liberty was with me through out my childhood and teenage years. I believe I watched the last showing in the theatre. The movie showing during that week was "Dr. Zhivago". In fact, while we were watching it, the projector man stuck his head out of the little window in the projection room and said, "boys, I am going home". It closed after that. I don't believe it opened again. Later Kerosotes closed the doors and had it destroyed. What a tragedy and historical loss in Malden.
Photographs of Malden Frisco Park. These were taken in this Spring. I have photographs these trees before. They are some of my favorite trees in Malden.
This short film could take several minutes to download because it is a high resolution movie. I could have made the files size much smaller but thought the higher resolution would be more enjoyable. I will upload some smaller links for slower connections later this week.
Crowley's Ridge Film - March 28, 2008
