Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Groceries in Sandusky

Before the advent of supermarkets and megastores, the neighborhood grocery store was the primary source for provisions among city residents. Since, of course, in the nineteenth century there was no refrigeration and no private automobiles, people most likely walked to the local grocery to purchase food for the daily meal. Therefore, there were many grocery stores in the community, scattered throughout the neighborhoods. In the 1855 city directory, for example, there were listings for 26 grocers, serving a population of about 8000 in the city.

The Sandusky Library Archives Research Center has images of some early groceries. Here are a few:
The M.J. Bender Co. grocery store was at the southwest corner of Hancock and Monroe Streets; the image above shows that corner in 1904.




Theodore Goessling briefly operated a grocery at the corner of Market and Hancock Streets, seen here around 1882.



Here is an interior view of the Edward Marquart grocery store, on Scott Street, in 1909. In the picture are Edward and Dora Marquart, with their son Harry.

The Schweinfurth Bros. grocery operated at the corner of Hayes Avenue and West Park Street from about 1898 to 1923. The people in this image are unidentified, but probably are members of the Schweinfurth family.

For more images of grocery stores of Sandusky, visit the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Before all of these, William Kelly, builder of the Marblehead Lighthouse, came to Sandusky (Ogantz Place)and in 1819 opened a general store, prior to building the lighthouse, The Keeper's House or the Cooke Home. I think this is correcfyzt. Paul C. Moon, 3rd great-grandson of William Kelly

Unknown said...

correct!

Anonymous said...

anyone know the name of the building that was at the corner of
Milan Rd. and Scott St. It had a man on the roof

Sandusky Library Archives Research Center said...

>>anyone know the name of the building that was at the corner of
Milan Rd. and Scott St. It had a man on the roof<<

It was called "Hoffman's -- Eats Drinks Smokes." The statue on the roof was "Puck," a character from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Puck is now on display at the Follett House Museum. The Sandusky Library Archives Research Center has photographs of the building shortly before it was razed.

Anonymous said...

Do you know anything about the Hohler grocery store that was on Camp St. It later became the Miller Drug Company.

Anonymous said...

does anyone know the name of the diner that became michael j's at the corner of monroe and warren

Anonymous said...

Daniel Hohler had a grocery store at the corner of Camp and Barker Streets in the 1898 Sandusky City Directory; and in 1964, there
was a "Gene's Diner" at 634 Warren Street.

Anonymous said...

does anyone remember Roses' grocery store on Scott Street? My grandfather used to take us there

Anonymous said...

Does anyone remember Huths grocery,Laroses Red+White,Moores Parkette,Heilers on Ogontz,Quicks on fifth street,Longs on third street. George Johnston

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed this post and those posted in 2007. Loved Long's store across from Sycamore School. Liebach's on First and Ogontz, another grocery on the corner of First and McEwen. There was a meat market on Ogontz between 2nd and 3rd. A Red and White on First St. How about a Roesch grocery on the west side of town? I would love to see photos of these stores if they exist.

Anonymous said...

I am related to the Heiler's that owned the store on Ogontz. Does anyone have photos? I can be emailed at adellinger12@jcu.edu