The symbols, initials, and acronyms that can be seen
on Sandusky’s older buildings provide us with clues to the historic past of our
community.
The Sandusky Register building was
originally built for the Star Journal,
as evidenced by the initials SJ seen on the top corner of the building.
A series of Rs border the upper level of the Rieger
Lofts help us remember the Rieger family.
When John Rieger opened the Hotel Rieger at the southeast corner of Jackson and Market Streets
in Sandusky in 1912, it was Sandusky’s first “fireproof” hotel.
The letters I.O.O.F. and globe that are seen on the
corners of the Odd Fellows Temple on Washington Row remind us that the building
was first built for the fraternal organization known as the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows.
Sandusky’s Odd Fellows building was dedicated on
March 18, 1890. Several attorneys
and businesses are now located in the I.O.O. F. building on Washington Row in
downtown Sandusky. Through the years, several other businesses have been in
operation at the street level of the Odd Fellows Temple on Washington Row.
The building now home to Calvary Temple was
constructed in the 1920s for the Commercial Banking and Trust Company.
The group of layered letters above the door on the
west side of Calvary Temple feature the beginning letters of the words Commercial Banking and Trust Company. The bank did not survive the Great
Depression.
On the north side of Adams Junior High School, which
opened in 1869 as Sandusky High School, is a trefoil and an equilateral
triangle, which is a traditional Christian symbol that represents the Trinity.
Take note of the interesting architectural details
found on the historic buildings in Sandusky and Erie County. Lots of history
can be learned by observing closely the fine details in the buildings you may
walk by every day.
2 comments:
Why would the year 1978 be placed under the dedication year of 1867; as shown above, on the north side of Adams Jr. High? At the time of construction that lower indicated year was over a century in the future.
Sorry this question isn't more timely. I have only recently discovered this wonderful site.
That would be the year it was rededicated for use as county offices.
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