Amos Thomas a photography enthusiast and resident of the Town of Shenandoah just released his first book Shenandoah The Thomas Family Collection. Amos presented a copy of his book to Shenandoah Mayor Clinton Lucas Jr. at the July 10th Town Council Meeting.
The book has 690 photographs and includes many black & white photographs taken during the 50's & 60's along First Street & Virginia Avenue by his father Owen “Butts” Thomas. This book includes never released photographs of the inside of the Verbena Lodge building on Pennsylvania Avenue showing the vintage lodge chairs and meeting room entry door with peephole.
The book also includes one chapter that takes one on a tour of the Shenandoah Elementary School, showing auditorium, gym, hallways, and classroom locations of former teachers such as Mr & Mrs. Vile, Mrs Shaffer, Mrs Staples, Mrs. Hockman & Mrs. Short. Among this collection of pictures is one taken of the retractable auditorium stage wall that enlarges the size of the stage.
Shenandoah Indians baseball fans will appreciate one photograph in particular. This photograph was taken at a meeting at Mamma Mia Restaurant in Shenandoah and shows Shenandoah Indians legends Wayne Comer, Larry Dofflemyer, AC Jenkins & Kirk Comer.
This book includes hundreds of never before published photographs from the Thomas Family Collection, such as:
- Inside Boots Lunch on First Street showing Boots & Billy Beaghan
- Inside Verbena Lodge Building on Pennsylvania Avenue
- Inside Home Grocery on Denver Avenue with Jimmy & Gladys Propes
- Bobby Comer working at Roy Comers Service Station
- First Street in 1961 before fire burned several buildings down
- Mr. Barrett Bryant inside his Pharmacy on First Street
- Doug & Dorothy Maynard inside D&D Market on Virginia Ave.
- Eagle Scout projects at Big Gem Park & Scout Park on Denver Avenue
- Inside and outside the Shenandoah Elementary School
- Memorial Day Festival & Parade 2009-2017
- Shenandoah High School Alumni Association 78th Annual Banquet
- Group photograph of former Shenandoah Indians, Wayne H. Comer, Larry Dofflemyer, AC Jenkins & Kirk Comer. Also includes David Comer's retirement from the Indians.
In the past 63 years, a lot of historical buildings in Shenandoah have either burned down, or been torn down due to snow & ice damage affecting the buildings core integrity. This collection of pictures show these buildings and what that location looks now.
Has many, many other pictures such as Cousin Boogy’s Grill, Shenandoah Beautification Committee’s Christmas Truck, EDGEfest, Fosters Store on First Street, Page Valley Cycling events, Shenandoah VFW Car Shows, Excursion Trains 2009 & 2012, Dedication of Veterans Park. The Kite family singing at Big Gem Park.
This book sells for $31 and can be purchased at the following locations in Town of Shenandoah:
Shenandoah General Store: 119 Maryland Avenue Shenandoah Va 22849
Shenandoah Town Hall: 426 First Street in Shenandoah Va 22848
Taste The Southern Market: 609 South Third Street Town of Shenandoah Va 22849
Pictured below is Amos presenting Mayor Clinton Lucas Jr. A copy of his book during the July 10, 2018 Town Council meeting. The second picture was taken when Amos was describing the contents of the book to the Town Council. These photographs were taken by Amos’ daughter Jackie Staples. Attached is also a flyer highlighting the contents of the book.
Original post date July 12, 2018
