By: Mary E. Mortimer
Walter Raymond “Ray” Thomas owned and operated the Photo Inn Variety Shop at Russells Point for over 50 years.
Thomas was born in Marion County, Ohio in 1895. After graduating from Marion High School, he served in World War I. He married Lillian Moore in 1918 and worked for the Kresge Five & Ten Cents Store chain. Being energic and resourceful, he was soon promoted to store manager. Thomas also managed several stores throughout Ohio and was transferred to Sedalia, Arkansas to take over store operations.
After living in Arkansas for a short time, the Thomas family decided to move back to Marion where Ray operated a photography shop. Then in 1923, they moved to Russells Point and opened the Kodak Inn, a photo-finishing business located at White Cottage Park. At that time, the Indian Lake area was developing at a steady pace and the Sandy Beach Amusement Park was nearing completion.
During the first few years, Thomas did photo finishing, commercial and aerial photography, and serviced radios. He also printed and sold Indian Lake postcards.
By 1937, his business had become very successful and he needed a larger store. Thomas purchased a large parcel of land at the northeast corner of Main St. and Clearmont St. in Russells Point. There he built a residence attached storeroom and renamed his business the Photo Inn Variety Shop. He mounted a large custom-made electric sign that was a replica of a Kodak camera. Thomas advertised “at the sign of the “Flashing Camera” in all his ads.
He then began selling souvenirs, postcards, toys, games, and novelties. He continued to sell cameras, and film, repair radios and sound equipment, and develop film. He also had a ham radio station in the back of the store.
An article in “Old Time Photo Album of Indian Lake, Vol III” shared the following information about Thomas’ ham radio station, “Mr. Thomas was unable to secure a commercial broadcasting license so he strung wire to rental cottages within close proximity of his station and, for a rental fee the summer guests paid, he would install a radio speaker. From his little station in the Photo Inn, he would play music on a record player, give local news, make special announcements, and give advertising commercials over his wire to the vacationers in the cottages. His daughter, Betty, could not remember how many subscribers he had during the summer months, but it was considerable”.
Thomas mounted a large speaker on the roof of his car with “Photo Inn” painted on it. He drove around Indian Lake projecting commercials and promotions over the speaker.
Another expansion took place in 1956, and he added more inventory. In 1960, Thomas advertised that he had over 75,000 postcards in his shop. He also sold “ladies’ blouses, men’s sport shirts, swimsuits, and swim trunks.”
Thomas retired and closed his store in February 1971. In July 1971, he sold the Photo Inn Variety Shop to Bill and Pat Dixon. The Dixons remodeled the building, almost doubling its size, and renamed it The Gift Bazaar. They sold a variety of merchandise, including women’s apparel, jewelry, and gifts. The business was destroyed by fire in January 1986.
Visit the Logan County History Center at 521 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311, to learn more interesting aspects of Logan County History. The History Center is open for tours Wednesday – Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
