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A. Gruwell-Crew Building
(1894)
This is one of the older storefronts remaining along West
Main Street, having been built shortly after the land was deeded
in 1894. C. M. Paulsen had a music store here until a harness
shop occupied the building in about 1910. It became a variety
store in 1960.
Current occupant: West Branch Heritage Museum
B. Patterson-Leech Building
(1890)
In March 1890 Lavina Patterson opened a millinery shop here
and lived with her family upstairs. Dr. Leech moved his medical
offices here after fire damaged the buildings across the street
in 1895. It remained Dr. Leech's office until his death in 1937.
Current occupant: Gibson's Barber Shop
C. Veterans Memorial Building
(1947)
The War Memorial Building, built in 1948, honors veterans
of World War II. The first floor served as the post office and
the local American Legion used the basement and upstairs. An
antique shop replaced the post office in 1970.
Current occupant: West Branch Classical Guitar Workshop
D. Old West Branch State Bank
(1916)
This large brick structure, built in 1916, housed the West
Branch State Bank (previously named West Branch Bank). It replaced
a bank building (circa 1877) which stood on the same site, but
was razed to make room for the new, larger building. The bank
took temporary quarters across the street during construction.
It then occupied this building until 1974. Fred Albin rented
the back for his meat market until 1924. The West Branch Telephone
Company shared the second floor with Hubbard & Hubbard Chiropractors.
Current occupant: Families, Inc.
E. Opera Block (1895)
Charles A. Macomber constructed the most ambitious project
of the era in 1895. The two-story Opera Block is still the largest
commercial building downtown. Three stores shared the first floor.
The top floor included the Masonic Lodge and a 500 seat theater
with a 20 by 40 foot stage. "The Pastime" motion picture
house took the upper space in 1912. A woodworking and antique
store occupied the first floor prior to itsrestoration in 1986.
Current occupant: Kingdom Graphics, County Line Salon
F. Leech-Gruwell Garage (1911)
Bert Leech and Harry Grunwell entered a partnership to build
a garage and plumbing shop here in 1911. The members of the local
Masonic Lodge helped construct this two-story brick building
that would house the garage and plumbing shop on the street level
and the lodge rooms on the second floor.
Current occupant: Herb 'n Lou's
G. Leech Building (1912)
Charles F. Schroeder had this building constructed in 1912
for his men's clothing store. The modern store boasted large
display windows and electric lights. Since that time, several
shops have used the building and made alterations to its interior.
Current occupant: Cats 'n Dogs Antiques
H. Citizens' Saving Bank (1908)
In 1909 Citizens' Savings Bank relocated here on the northeast
comer of North Downey and Main Streets. Surviving the collapse
of farm prices in 1921, but not the Great Depression, it was
absorbed in 1934 by the West Branch State Bank creating the First
State Bank.
Current occupant: The Wehrman Agency
I. Rich and Bailey Block (1995)
This building's exterior has had only minor alterations since
its construction in 1895. Originally Rich's Golden Rule general
store occupied one side of the building and Dr. J. I. Bailey's
medical offices occupied the other. Over the years a bakery,
dry cleaning and men's clothing store, furnace and tin shop,
antique shop, and grocery store were located here. The building
has been restored and houses the offices of attorney James R.
Keele.
Current occupant: Keele Law Office, Helen Kudos Counselling
Services, Sandy's Hair Studio
J. Enlow Building (1904)
In 1904 Huldah Enlow donated this land and building for a
public library. Later, an anonymous monetary gifts financed construction
of an expansion. In 1963, the front entrance was enclosed and
in 1974, the basement was converted into a children's library.
It remained a library until 1993.
Current occupant: The West Branch Times
K. Old Post Office (1907)
Caleb H. Wlckersham, postmaster of West Branch, contracted
construction of this building in 1906. One year later, Wlckersham
signed the federal government to a 10 year lease to house the
post office. The post office was relocated in 1928 and in the
ensuing years the building housed a number of different businesses.
Current occupant: Virgil's Sinclair Repair & Tire Service
L. Grinnell Building (1869)
Behind the brick facade stands the wood-frame building of
Edwin Grinnell's drug store and H. T. Hollingsworth's watch repair.
This building, the oldest surviving store, may date back to 1869.
A series of jewelers and druggists occupied the building until
1924 when Fred Albin bought it for his meat market. He added
the back room and brick facade.
Current occupant: Anita Starr, D.D.S.
M. Earliest Citizens' Savings
Bank (1898)
In 1898 the Citizens' Savings Bank moved into this new brick
building. The principle shareholders used local material dealers
and contractors for construction. The front featured a dazzling
8 by 11 foot plate glass window. Since 1909 this building has
been occupied by small businesses.
Current occupant: Main Street Antiques & Arts
N. The Union Block (1895)
T. Butler and Dr. L. J. Leech agreed to jointly finance this
structure in 1895. The west half of the building housed a meat
market on the first floor and the lodge of the Modern Woodmen
of America on the second. The east side was rented to Bert Gill
for the new Union Block Drug Store. Since then the building has
housed several shops, cafes, and offices.
Current occupant: Apple Orchard Prints, Art on Main
O. West Branch Bank (1875)
West Branch Bank was founded here in 1875 but moved across
Main Street three years later. A variety of shops used this building
over the years. In 1965 owners closed the original front door
and cut an interior passage on the east into the building next
door.
Current occupant: Heyn Quarter Steakhouse & Ryan's
Pub
P. Crook's Hotel (1870)
Nate Crook owned and operated a barber shop and restaurant
in this building in 1871. By 1877 he had expanded his operation
to include a hotel and livery. Over the years the building has
housed several hotels and restaurants.
Current occupant: Heyn Quarter Steakhouse & Ryan's
Pub
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