CHAMPAIGN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
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Looking Back at Champaign County

Looking Back - Bob Martin Band

12/29/2021

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Bob Martin Band Urbana Ohio
This photo of the Bob Martin Band was taken at the Urbana Country Club on New Year’s Eve, 1951, and submitted to this newspaper 50 years later by George Cox. Of the hundreds of musicians who played for Robert K. Martin when he directed the Urbana High School band from 1954-1984, not many knew that he also led a popular dance band before and during his tenure there.

Pictured on this occasion (from left) are George Cox, Herb Magly, Don Gilbert, Dick Reed, Mel Parshall, and Martin on piano. Although Parshall, a pilot for Grimes, played on this occasion, brothers Lee and Malcolm Reich also drummed for Martin.

The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum located at 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Looking Back - Woodstock Depot

11/10/2021

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Woodstock Ohio Train Depot
This is a photo (#A1765-4) of the Pan Handle Railroad depot at Woodstock, Ohio. Shown is the depot building with a passenger train and passengers. The date of the photo is unknown. The Pan Handle Railroad (Pennsylvania Railroad) was initially chartered as the Columbus, Piqua, and Indiana Railroad in 1850 and completed in 1854. It made stops in Champaign County at Woodstock, Fountain Park, Brush Lake, Cable, Urbana, and St. Paris. Thanks to the efforts of Erastus Martin, a Woodstock resident, the railroad was constructed through Woodstock instead of Mechanicsburg as originally planned. Westbound steam locomotives needed water at Woodstock after the uphill pull from Columbus. A well was dug expressly for that purpose.

Source: Railroad Heritage 1805 – 2005 The Champaign County Preservation Alliance

The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum located at 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Looking Back - Weaver Building

9/17/2021

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Urbana Weaver Building
This Looking Back features the northeast corner of Monument Square at Scioto Street. It was at this site that Henry Weaver erected a building (Photo 1 circa 1866) in 1833. It was regarded as one of the finest brick buildings west of Columbus. Mr. Weaver with his son Lemuel operated a business on the first floor of this building. At the time of his death in 1872, Henry Weaver was regarded as the wealthiest man in Champaign County.
Urbana Monument Square History
Sometime early in the 20th century this building was remodeled and became the location of Moore’s Business College (Photo 2 circa 1923). Note the changes in the buildings to the east along Scioto Street in the two photos. The Moore’s Business College building was demolished in 1961. Peoples Savings Bank now occupies this location.
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The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum located at 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open to the public Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Looking Back - Hitt & Fuller

8/25/2021

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As with recent “looking backs” we feature another business on Monument Square in Urbana
Fountain Square, Urbana Ohio
Hitt and Fuller Urbana Ohio
Hitt & Fuller was a general merchandise store located at 19 Monument Square (southeast quadrant). Photo #1 is a postcard photo of the store in 1913. In the foreground of this photo is the “Man on the Monument” whose 150th anniversary will be celebrated this year. (Note: there is no record of Monument Square, formerly Public Square, ever being known as Fountain Square). Photo #2 is a photo of this building just prior to its demolition in March of 2000.

Initially, at this location stood a two-story dry goods and general merchandise store built and operated by John & Isaac Reynolds. In 1852, Samuel W. Hitt, a longtime clerk in the store, bought an interest in the business. In 1868, he added a third floor to the building and in 1895 a walkway over the alley connecting to the Endowment Building. Subsequently the business was known as Hitt & Fuller closing in 1937. In 1938 Marsh Dry Goods moved into the building and in 1968 Main News occupied the building until its demolition in 2000.
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Source: Then & Now in Downtown Urbana, Ohio from 1805 by Barbara Stickley Sour 1998.

The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum located at 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open to the public Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Looking Back - Uhlman's

8/3/2021

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This is a look back at the Urbana Uhlmans store
Urbana Uhlman's
Uhlmans is pictured in 1988 at 35 – 38 Monument Square.
Urbana W.E. Brown Clothing Store
W. E. Brown clothing store at the same location, circa 1936.
The first photo (#0441) is of Uhlmans in 1988 at 35 – 38 Monument Square. The second photo (#0147) c. 1936 is of the W. E. Brown clothing store at the same location.
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F. W. Uhlman Company’s Urbana store was established in 1947 at the former location of the W. E. Brown store. Sometime later the building to the east was purchased and new departments were established. The second floor of the new building was devoted to women’s wear. It was during this time that Mrs. Freda Finn joined Uhlmans as head of the ladies’ department.

In 1960, in preparation for remodeling, the Littman Building to the west was purchased. It was torn down and a new building added to the original store structure. As a result of this remodeling the store area was significantly increased, and new departments were again added. The store façade seen in the first photo was likely added during this remodeling.
The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum located at 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open to the public Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Looking Back - The Citizens National Bank

7/13/2021

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This is a looking back at the Citizens National Bank located at 1 Monument Square, Urbana. The first photo is a postcard photo of the bank building circa 1910.
Urbana Citizens National Bank, circa 1910
Citizens National Bank, circa 1910

The second photo (#1719) is a circa 1940 postcard photo of the building. At the time of the second photo Miller Hardware was just north of the bank building. Note that during the time between the photos the cupola had been removed and the façade of the building, particularly on the first floor, had been altered.

In 1860, James B. Armstrong, a former county treasurer, founded the Armstrong Bank in this building. In 1864, the bank was chartered as a national bank becoming the Citizens National Bank. The first stockholders were all local people. The five original directors were: Abner Whitely, James B. Armstrong, Daniel Blose, Edward Jennings and William Wiley. The early success of the bank resulted from good management and conservative banking methods. This success resulted in rating the Citizens National Bank 7th of all National banks in Ohio by the State Banking Commission in 1911.

James B. Armstrong also played a prominent role in establishing the Civil War Soldiers Monument in the Square in 1871.

Citizens National Bank, circa 1940
Citizens National Bank, circa 1940
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Looking Back - Hatton Drug Store

6/23/2021

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Hatton Drug Store Urbana
This is a circa 1910 postcard photo (#A139) of the C.B. Hatton Drug Store at the corner of Monument Square and North Main Street (40 Monument Square).

At this time Otway Cooper Saddlery Co. was located on the first floor of this building just west of Hatton’s (#1690) and a clothing store, a building currently under renovation, was immediately west of that.

The pharmacy was started in 1881 at 34 Monument Square by Frank Valentine who sold the business to Charles B. Hatton in 1897. The store was moved in 1907 to the location shown. This became known as “Hatton’s Corner.” Nearly a century before, Doolittle’s Tavern had stood on the same site and served as the headquarters of Gov. Return J. Meigs during the War of 1812.

In 1910 at the age of 13 John J. Enright began working for Hatton. Shortly after earning a pharmacy degree in 1918 at The Ohio State University, Enright became a partner with Hatton and the business became Hatton & Enright. In 1928 the store moved to 205 N. Main St. next to the Champaign National Bank (#2898). In 1940 upon the death of Charles B. Hatton, Enright became sole owner of the pharmacy. Also about this time John Enright purchased the Bunnel Monument Co. on E. Church St. which had been started in 1868. The name of the business was changed to Urbana Monument Co. which is still in business making it one of the longest continually-operated businesses in Urbana.

Thomas J. Crowley came to work at Hatton & Enright while in high school. He continued to work at the drug store and earned a pharmacy degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1951. The store moved to 108-112 N. Main St. in 1963. Crowley became Enright’s partner in 1977 and sole owner in 1985 and served several terms as Mayor of Urbana.

The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum located at 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open to the public Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Looking Back - Ewing's Restaurant

6/3/2021

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Ewing's Restaurant in Urbana Ohio
This is a circa 1974 photo of the southwest corner of Monument Square in Urbana showing Ewing’s Restaurant and Cafeteria.

Ewing’s was not only well known in Champaign County but throughout west-central Ohio. The Pooler family operated the business which included a coffee shop and a bakery. Often on Sundays at noon patrons would be lined up from the entrance around the corner on Miami Street; once inside, they would often find Carl Pooler himself carving prime rib. At the end of the line uniformed waitresses would meet patrons at the cash register and carry each tray to a table.

Ewing’s served large family meals on special occasions, such during the Christmas holiday, on the second floor of this building.

In the mid-19th century, the third floor of this building served as a meeting space known as Union Hall. It was the site of theatrical performances as well as church bazaars and political speeches.

In 1863, the Ladies Aid Society of Urbana’s St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation arranged for Frederick Douglass, the great abolitionist, to speak at Union Hall. However, it is uncertain whether Douglass spoke there as there is no documented account of him having done so. In 1910 there was a motion picture theater in this building, presumably on the third floor.

An interesting note regarding the building is that embossed on a cast iron support column within is “Willcox & Gwynne.” Perhaps this came from a local foundry as the Gwynne family members were early prominent merchants in Urbana.

The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum located at 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Looking Forward – Urbana's First Jail

4/28/2021

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Urbana's First Jail
A 2021 photo shows the former site of the first jail in Urbana, located at the NW corner of E. Market and S. Locust streets. This Looking Forward is from the perspective of Simon Kenton, who was the jailer and prisoner here at the same time. We know that the original jail was built as a single-story building sometime before 1808 because the Champaign County Commissioners’ meeting minutes of July 22, 1808, include a proposal to enlarge and add a second story to the existing jail building. The second story provided quarters for the jailer.

In 1811-12 Simon Kenton was the jailer. Under the law at that time, imprisonment for debt was permitted. Kenton, having been “arrested” on an execution issued by Kentucky creditors, thus became his own jailer.

At this time, persons imprisoned for debt were allowed to be in an area designated as the “prison bounds.” The “prison bounds” were probably High St. to the west, Ward St. to the north, Reynolds St. to the south and perhaps to the east edge of town, basically the city limits. During the year or so of his confinement Simon Kenton frequently walked this area with a long walking staff. It is said that even when his daughter Elizabeth died, he had to observe her burial in the Old Graveyard just north of Ward St. without crossing the street.

Some years later the Kentucky Legislature remitted the charges against Kenton. The original jail served until 1832 when a new jail was built near the current courthouse. On April 14, 1832, the original jail building was auctioned off to Matthew Magrew and John Owen for $390.

The Champaign County Historical Museum is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum located at 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open to the public Tues. - Fri. 10-4 and Sat. 10-2.
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Looking Forward – Elisha C. Berry

4/8/2021

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Elisha Berry House Urbana
This is a 2021 photo of the house at 413 Scioto St., Urbana, which was the home of Elisha C. Berry.
This edition of “Looking Forward features a 2021 photo of the house at 413 Scioto St., Urbana, which was the home of Elisha C. Berry. Based on property tax records this house was built on or before 1826 on 14 acres owned by Elisha C. Berry. Mr. Berry was born in 1782 in Maryland and died in 1850 in Urbana. He was associated with the woolen mill established by John Reynolds in 1816 on East Water St.

Elisha was elected Champaign County Commissioner in October 1818. This was the first county election after Logan County to the north and Clark County to the south were established and Champaign County was reduced to its current limits in 1817. Around this same time Mr. Berry was one of the associate judges during the administration of President Judge Swan.

“The Justices bench was composed of one President Judge, supposed to be learned in the law, and three Associate Justices, taken from the body of the county, and selected for their good sense and integrity rather than for their legal requirements.” (W.H. Beers, The History of Champaign County, 1881).

Thomas H. Berry, a son of Elisha C. Berry, established a grocery business in Urbana in 1845. Upon his death in 1879 the business was managed by his eldest son, Thomas C. Berry. Upon Thomas C. Berry’s death, the business was managed by his younger brothers William E. & Lou B. Berry.

In 1891 Lou B. Berry became involved in the insurance business with J. R. McDonald in Urbana. Ultimately this business became the L. B. Berry Insurance Agency located at 125 Scioto St., Urbana. Around 1900 Lou B. Berry resided in the house at 413 Scioto St. built by his grandfather.

The Champaign County Historical Society would like to express appreciation to Joe Hamilton for sharing information about his house.

The Champaign County Historical Museum, a not-for-profit organization that depends upon donations and dues to preserve, protect, archive and display the artifacts that tell the Champaign County story. The free public museum located at 809 E. Lawn Ave., Urbana, is open to the public Tues. - Fri. 10-4 and Sat. 10-2.
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    Looking Back at Champaign County

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