Hill Top Toyland remembered

By Chelsea | December 23, 2020 |

I’ve talked about George Basinger in previous columns and so here goes another G.B. story. George loved kids, especially those who were poor. He convinced Mrs. Douthitt to start a toy store. They opened it across the highway and called it “Hill Top Toyland.”

I well remember it was an immediate hit. As Christmastime neared lots of parents bought their kids toys there. I think George was happiest when he was over at the Toyland waiting on parents and watching kids point out the toys they wanted Santa to bring. If a family was poor and could not buy many toys I’m sure George found a way to see that Santa brought their wanted toys. He had such a soft heart for poor families. He started the Christmas party each year for all county children. It was sponsored by the Hawesville Lions Club.

The main Christmas shopping for toys in those years was Sears in Owensboro. Folks would drive to Owensboro and park behind or across from Sears. It was a great store for shopping for just about everything. Sears was located on Second Street just before you got to the bridge. Second Street was Owensboro’s main shopping district. You could stroll down the street and there was the popular Ferells that served good food.

Further you came to the very popular Anderson’s Department store. Across from Anderson’s were Salm’s and McAtee’s department stores. On each side of Second was a variety of stores for shopping. A men’s clothing store, Tom Mcan Shoes, Kreskees, a drugstore was on the corner, and many more. The Strand Theatre was on Second. Just around the corner and across from the courthouse was the Planter’s Hotel or Rudd, I’m not sure. The Malco Theatre was across from where Colby’s Restaurant is located now. Everything you could want was within easy walking distance.

It was fun to shop in Owensboro. Then came along the mall and it ruined everything on Second Street. Anderson’s, the premier shopping store, and Sears moved to the mall. Salms and McAtees along with all the other stores on Second closed. Anderson’s soon went out of business. Sears, Penny’s and Macy’s closed their stores at the mall and the mall became empty and closed! Who would have thought when the mall opened it would not last and some day Owensboro would lose three of its main businesses there. Now if people want to shop the big stores they will need to drive to Evansville. What a shame. Nothing like good ‘ole progress!

Hancock Clarion
Thur., June 22, 1978
By George Basinger
In order to expand we purchased the store building of Mr. Bill Rhodes across U.S. 60 from Hill Top. This building was stocked and carried year around with a full line of toys. This building was called “Hill Top Toyland”. Along with our toy line we started catering to each season of the year. We started stocking all items associated with that season or holiday. Thus Hill Top became known as a business with items for any and all occasions.
November, 1973, Hill Top Toyland was completely destroyed by the collision of two semi tractor trailer trucks.
Now came the decision and hard work of relocating and rebuilding a Hill Top Toyland. It was decided to build onto the red tile building that was originally Hill Top Service Station back in 1932. In the process five new and different rooms were added on and combined together to give Hill Top Service Station and Hill Top Toyland over 600 square feet of floor space. This floor space was fitted with shelves and these were stocked from floor to ceiling with toys and items for all occasions and holidays. This addition gave Hill Top Toyland the largest selection of toys in the tri-state.

Hancock Clarion,
Thursday, December 4, 1975
Stacked to the rafters– Hill Top Toyland is now open in its new location at Hill Top Service Station. George and Roger Basinger point out a few of the huge array of heart-gladdening items in stock. The toyland business was curtailed for the past two Christmas holidays, after the building which housed it was demolished by a truck and trailer. The pleasantly-lighted, attractive display room invites extensive browsing. Even Scrooge himself couldn’t resist making a purchase in this atmosphere.
A sad sight— Hill Top Toyland, long out of business sits in its original location in Hawesville now covered with weeds and vines. The echos of excitement and laughter can no longer be heard from excited children as they looked for their Christmas toys.