I just found a I little history of the Staceys in Paducah. Let me know if you remember some of these people or places. In 1929 Coy (Shorty) Stacey Sr. and a Mr. Farmer introduced the nickel hamburger to Paducah when they leased a lot at 13th and Broadway from Mr. Gardner. A contract was made with Charlie Osborne for construction of a Dixie Castle (a chain of hamburger stands in Memphis) soon changed to Silver Castle. It was an ideal location because of the proximity to the IC Railroad shops. the IC Hospital, Paducah Laundry, the new Chevrolet Dealership, the D-X service station and Washington Junior High School. In 1932 L.D.Stacey (Coys brother) was put in charge of Silver Castle #2 at KY Ave, next to the Sun Democrat between 4th and 5th. They also opened Silver Castle #3 on the northwest corner of 6th and Tenn. In 1936 Silver Castle #1 was remolded and doubled in size. During the 37 flood the furnishings at the hamburger stands and the residence at 2000 KY Ave. perished. #3 was closed and all efforts were in the cleanup and reopening of #1. Hamburgers and hot dogs were now 10 cents each and Speedy Whiteloaf, Chilli Martin and Mac Hammock were hired as well as female waitresses. The old Livingston home at 1455 Broadway was purchased in 1942. In the late 40s a red brick barbeque pit was built at the rear of the hamburger stand. The barbequing was done by a black man named John and Miles Meridith. Miles had gained a reputation for his sauce and barbequed chicken. My brother Spike still has the secret recipe which John Harris has been trying to buy (or steal). By teaming with Miles, Staceys was able to increase their catering business They also had a hamburger stand regularly at the fair. Construction on the new restaurant began after the atomic boom in 1951 when Washington Junior High and Silver Castle #1 was demolished and 13th street extended. Washington, a sturdy looking four story structure of orange brick was built near the turn of the 20th century and had become too much of a fire trap. Customers entered a contest to name the new redbrick and glass restaurant. An employee of the Paducah Laundry won and it was called Dixieland. There were four tables that seated 2, six tables that seated 4 and a lunch counter that seated 7. Bub Stacey came back home after a few years away and operated Prices Barbeque with a five year lease from 1953-1958. Coy Jr. came back in 1954 after college at Ole Miss and a few years with Ford Motor in Memphis. Improvements were made and also a couple of ventures didnt work out including a lunch counter north of Park Ave on N 13th. and a lease on the old Cobb restaurant at Bridge and Broad. Coy Jr. headed up the catering and the small private dining room at the rear and planned the large dining room and cocktail lounge, which opened and was operated by Wilbur Cashon who operated the bar at the Ritz Hotel. Shorty died a week before Kennedy in 1963 and was buried on a Sunday and Staceys never opened on Sunday again. Several people have told me that it was the 2nd biggest funeral ever in Paducah. Coy Jr sold the restaurant in 1982 and he passed in 2008. Virginia is still living.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 18:30:03 +0000
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