120 S Main Street  

Section 16 History

1878 - The south portion of the frame building was built by Ira Kline's father.

The north section was built in 1909.

1890 - Urias Menser. 1890 - Urias Menser. ? Jan 1903-1905 - Cook Bros. Hardware - Frank & Will Cook

1904–1906 - Cash Hardware Store - John F. Weiss, proprietor

1906 Sanborn Map _ Hardw.and Farm Imp'ts; shows an outside stair case to apartments above and back lot across alley Farm Imp'ts;

1906 - Feb 22 - Oliver Goss moved his family into the rooms over the hardware vacated by Urias Menser

1907 - Henry Pecher has opened a tin shop under the hardware

1908 - Jan 9 - Henry Pecher has moved his tin shop into the old post office quarters (This was what is now 110 N. Main )

1908–1943 - Cash Hardware Co. O T Goss

1914 Sanborn Map _ Hardw. and Imp'ts, shows an outside stair case to apartments above also building or 2 small buildings labeled Oil H. O.; back lot across alley Imp'ts Ware H. O.; and a building with a "X" on the back half indicating a stable

1914 - It was one of the first buildings In town to be wired for electricity

1914 - Dec 24 - Librarian Is Choosen - Rooms Over the Hardware secured.

A special committee reported that it had made verbal contract with Urias Menser for the front four rooms over the hardware store at $5 per month, and in addition has arranged with Mrs. Oberlin, the recent tenant, to use her furniture at a rental of $4 per mouth. Mr. Menser agrees to wire the rooms. The renting of rooms already furnished will relieve the board of the necessity of the expense of buying rugs, tables, chairs, etc. for a time, at least. With volunteer help from some of the high school boys it is expected to move the books next Monday, and to open the rooms for library and reading purposes soon after Jan. 1 with the new librarian in charge.

1916 - Jul 6 - During the med-day storm on Sunday lighting struck a chiminey on the Menser building occupied by Goss hardware store. A lady guest of the Kesslers, who lives upstairs, was made unconscious for a time.

1918 Sep 4 New Red Cross Quarters

The Ways and means committee for the town unites Mmes W. O. Osborn and Urias Menser chairman, have renterd the four front rooms over the hardware store for permenant Red Cross work rooms.

These are the rooms that were occupoed by the public library while the library was under construction.

They are well lighted, and will be adequate and pleasant.

As soon as some necessary painting and papering is done the rooms will be arranged for work on the new quotas which are expected before long.

1924 Sanborn Map Just labeled with a single "S" in the middle no longer shows an outside stair case to apartments above also a single building labeled Oil H. O.; back lot across alley one building is labeled Imp'ts other is labled Ware H. O. and the "X" on the back half indicating a stable has been removed

1937 Sanborn Map labeled as "ONE S", a single building labeled Oil H. O.; back lot across alley one building is labeled Imp'ts other is labled Ware H. O.

1945, Feb. - Buys Menser Building

A tranaction was completed last week whereby Paul Snyder became the owner of the Menser Building on Main street.

The Culver Hardware, is the proprieto

Clarence and Harry Menser are the former owners of the building which has been in the family since 1890

1943 - 1952 - Culver Hardware - Paul Snyder


1948 - June 2- News Agency to Open

The south half of theof t he south room of Culver Hardware has been remodled and will be used the the Culver News Agency starting Saturday, June 5, with Jack Beik the proprietor. Compplete announcement is made on the last page of this issue.

1953 - Sep 3 - Kosterman's Watch Repair & Jewelry Store - Joseph V. Kosterman

Joseph V. Kosterman has opened a fine new retail jewlery store and watch repair shop at the northeast corner of Main and Madison streets.

1955 0ct 12 - Vince Kosterman has closed his Jewelry shop, having decided to do watch and clock repairing in his own home.

1960's - F. William Smyder

Basement level for a period in the 1990's held a Golf Pro Shop ran by Mike Snyder.

2007, Dec-2013, Oct - Culver Pro Hardware - David Begg / Hilltop Rentals LLC

2013 - Oct. - Culver Hardware to close by the end of October purchased by Robert Hollender a contractor from Illinois and Whitney Alvis . The ful intent is to divided the building into 2 seperate store fronts hoping to draw in more businesses - as yet what will be done with the remainder of the space has not been determined as yet.

This is the cement building/Garage behind the Main street building it is one whole property with 2 buildings - for a while in the 1960's it bore the address of 108 E. Madison.

2013, Nov. - A New Era - 120 S MAIN LLC

[OP L33 HOUGHTON'S COR AMND SW COR L33] -