Fred Lynch retired in 2018 after capturing images for the Southeast Missourian since 1975, in that time moving from black-and-white to color, from film to digital and to video. The blog title is a nod to an earlier era of news photography and the 4x5 Speed Graphic: It's more important to be there for the shot than to worry about technical details.

SEMO Homecoming 1957

Posted Thursday, October 8, 2009, at 3:00 PM

Crowds watch the homecoming parade for Southeast Missouri State College on Broadway in this picture taken on Nov. 2, 1957. It was published on the front page of the Southeast Missourian on Nov. 4, 1957. The entry was by Sigma Phi Epsilon and Sorosis Society. It won first place in the decorated float division of the parade.

The float is a giant typewriter with the student newspaper, Capaha Arrow, announcing the score of the homecoming football game with Southwest Missouri State of Springfield.

The headline reads, "Cape Rolls over Bears 38-0."

The actual score of the homecoming game: Indians 20, Bears 0.

No doubt the Indians wanted revenge that year as they lost to the Bears 25-0 in 1956.

An announcer for KFVS radio can be seen behind the float standing behind a microphone in the front yard of the radio station.

The Marquette Hotel is at left. At right is First Federal Savings & Loan.

The other headline on the Capaha Arrow: "Doc" Brandt honored, 38 years of service.

This item from Out of the Past, Nov. 1, 1957:

There are a few early arrivals, but the majority of former students and graduates of State College returning for the 1957 Homecoming aren't expected until tomorrow; one of the highlights of the program will be a luncheon honoring professor C. Clyde Brandt, who retired this year after 38 years as director of the college's choral and glee club groups.

Note the direction of travel. The parade is moving up Broadway toward Houck Stadium. Nowadays the parade begins at Capaha Park and moves down Broadway toward the river.

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Fred did "Forny" (Fornabarger) take the picture?

-- Posted by retired1 on Fri, Oct 9, 2009, at 10:56 AM

Fred Lynch's response:
The picture was taken by Garland D. Fronabarger, aka Frony. He used a 4x5 Speed Graphic camera.
Wow - I love these old photos, and the specific details about the photography, since that is (now) a lost art. We need to find a spot in the community where Fred can post this archive of great local photography history...Please do not dump it in the County Archives one day - it would be better to have this on display and accessible...Food for thought. Thanks for posting these. (You can see what once stood in the background, too - prior to KFVS tower...)

-- Posted by jacksonjazzman on Fri, Oct 9, 2009, at 1:26 PM
Fred keep up the good work. Like jacksonjazzman I also enjoy old photos and details on them. Thanks and keep up the good work.

-- Posted by retired1 on Fri, Oct 9, 2009, at 4:06 PM
i think it was dr. cox up at the university that always talked about Frony -- wasn't his nickname "one shot frony"? if i recall the story correctly didn't it have something to do with that the photogs had to buy their own film or something and frony wanted to make sure to get it in one shot? anyone know if that's the story? it's been years since i heard it so i could be mistaken.

i also agree with previous posts -- i love these old photos. keep them coming.

-- Posted by TommyStix on Fri, Oct 9, 2009, at 5:41 PM

Fred Lynch's response:
You are correct. I once asked Frony why people called him One Shot. He replied, "Because I had to buy my own film!"
Using a 4x5 sheet film camera was slow and expensive. (I actually shot a few pictures with one long ago.) Two sheets of film in a holder. Holders took up space. Imagine developing 36 sheets of film instead of a roll of 35mm film. At one time, each type of film was the latest technology.
Excellent. Your articles looking back at history are the best. Keep them coming.

-- Posted by Costanza on Sun, Oct 11, 2009, at 7:16 PM

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