At a young age, it was instilled in me that the only thing that mattered on Saturday’s in the fall was football. Appalachian State football, to be exact. I was a mere three months old when I attended my first game at Kidd-Brewer Stadium. Since then, I’ve spent every fall in the beautiful town of Boone taking in the mountain air, the school spirit, and numerous tailgates.
My dad attended Appalachian State University in the 1980’s and quite frankly, never left. Although his life continued and he moved away from Boone, his heart was still there. That being said, when it came time for me to go off to college, Appalachian was where my heart had been set. After spending my freshman year here, my mind began to wonder what Boone was like when my dad called it home. After an informative FaceTime call, I felt like I had been transported to the 80’s. My dad was able to give me the dirt on everything having to do with Boone then and now.
1. Heading up the mountain was a journey that consisted of only two lane roads.
Getting stuck behind a truck was your worst nightmare. It could take you over an hour just to make your way up to 3,333 ft.2. Legend’s was called “H’appy’s”.
You know what they say, Happy Appy! Fun fact -- my aunt saw Darius Rucker play here when he was still a part of Hootie and The Blowfish.
3. William-Conrad Stadium was changed to Kidd-Brewer Stadium.
It was also half the size that it is now. Cue the fans screaming, “APP!” “STATE!”
4. You had to drive all the way to Blowing Rock to buy any alcohol.
Let’s just remember that it was a two-lane road all the way there. Talk about inconvenience.
5. The extravagant dentist office off of 321 was the TKE house.
I’m thinking some serious remodeling has been done since then.
6. The famous Boone Mall was there in 1985.
The Panera hadn’t been added, however, so there was really no reason to go.
7. When you wanted to print something, you had to walk to Walker Hall and stand in line to insert your floppy disk.
Having to walk all the way to Walker Hall for class is difficult, let alone walking there for the sole purpose of printing.
8. McAllister’s was called, “The Gold Room”.
This was an upscale type of restaurant where my dad says, and I quote, “You could get Golden-Corral level steaks”. I think we’ll just stick with McAl’s.
9. Where Trivette is now, there was a road that ran directly in between Duck Pond and Duck Pond Field.
I’m glad this is no longer true because I live for Trivette waffle makers.
10. The APH was an actual hotel with a dance club inside of it.
Students would go and hang out at the club. In fact, my dad’s college roommate met his wife there.
11. Klondike was here in 1985.
This begs the question, were the cheese fries?
12. King Street was the actual main street of the town.
It consisted of barber shops, drugs stores, and the now run-down movie theater was the main attraction. An oldie but a goodie- the movie theater in 1923.
14. Where convocation is now, sat the baseball field.
15. Adults were allowed to bring their own alcohol to restaurants.
The catch was, you had to pay for the mixer.
16. Trashed college students would pull the fire alarms-- in the middle of winter.
I must say, I have been the victim of girl-in-towel-when-fire-alarm-goes-off.
17. The stadium was the perfect place to sit and get a tan.
As much as Boone has changed, the family-feel will never go away. I consider myself so lucky to be a Mountaineer and I look forward to returning back to Boone for Black Saturday tailgates for the rest of my life. This place is one of a kind.
