Public Square Loafers
Loafers Granted Parking Space
Springfield Leader, 27 March 1925
"The public square 'loafer' has at last come into his own! Arrangements were made this morning by the police department whereby the "loafer" can take his own sweet time hereafter on the square and can 'park' himself and gossip all day long without being bothered by pedestrians.
"Failing in previous efforts to politely persuade the 'loafers' on the square to keep moving and not block the sidewalks, Chief of Police A. C. Boehm finally hit on the idea of marking off the sidewalk so the 'loafers' could stand on one half of the walk and the pedestrians could use the other half.
"This plan, the chief believes, will at least relieve the congested district on the west side of the square during the busy days.
"Accordingly, a white line was painted this morning in the middle of the sidewalk on the west side of the square, running from College Street south to the Kirby arcade, and then running east to South Avenue.
"Those who wish to stop and gossip or loaf around on the west side of the square will be required hereafter to stand on the half of the sidewalk next to the street, while pedestrians will use the 'inside track'. This gives the pedestrian a chance to make 'better time' around the square, and also keeps them from bothering the 'loafer.'
"In this manner, regular 'parking space' has been allotted to the 'knight of the thin shoe soles' on the square. Unlike the automobile parking space on the square, there will be no 'two-hour limit' for the 'loafers.' They can stand on the square as long as they please if they stay within their own "zone".
"Chief Boehm recently instructed officers to make everyone 'move on,' but this method failed to work. Many persons acted as if they had been insulted when they were asked to 'please move on and not block the sidewalk.'
"The 'loafer', however, has maintained his rights and by persisting in blocking the sidewalk on the west side of the square, has finally won the battle and come into his own!"
The largest stores in the southwest corner of the square included Woolworths, Kresge, two clothing shops and a some dentists offices above the clothing shops.
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