This photo, taken by Bob Nichols is from 1966 and shows a place very familiar to most. The developed area to the left is the old Hills Department Store Plaza, with Hills being on the far left of the two big buildings. Toward the middle, and a little closer to the right, is the old Ellis Drive-In, while if you follow Route 50 just past that heading East is the start of the old Towne House East Motel. None of those businesses are alive today. Also, at the top left of the photo is earth work being done for the start of what is today Interstate 79.

This photo is from 1957 and shows the old Woodruff's Drug Store on Salem's Main Street. To the right is the Alpine Theater. The building that housed both of these was destroyed by a fire.

 

Editor's Note: This ongoing photo feature of pictures from Bridgeport and throughout the Mountain State is part of local historian Richard "Dick" Duez's collection. Duez, the unofficial historian of Bridgeport, would appreciate any scanned photos emailed to him for use here or to include in his ongoing efforts to preserve local history. You can email photos, or let him know how to acquire copies of photos you may have in your possession, to Duez at dick@duez.ws