Pictorial Section from The Bell in 1931

Students at St. Mary’s High School in Sandusky published a journal called The Bell (now a yearbook). A copy of the May, 1931 edition is housed in the Schools Collection of the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center. At the top of the front page of the pictorial section of this issue is a picture of Rev. William C. Zierolf as well as a scene taken at dismissal time at the end of the school day. The faculty is pictured at the bottom of the page (below). From left to right are: Miss Evelyn Bing, Miss Lillian Fievet, Mr. Ramond Helmer and Miss Olga Gundlach.

Pictured below in a scene from the annual St. Mary’s High School play are: Paul Hemrick, Dorothy Riesterer, Eula Sheets, Charles LeClair, Elizabeth Donahue, Geraldine Mack and Kenneth Polta.

Individual pictures of members of the St. Mary’s 1931 graduating class are pictured on page 2. Several of the young ladies appear to have a hairstyle known as the “Marcel Wave,” which was very popular in the 1920s and 1930s.

Conrad Leonhiser Grocery

From 1873 until the late 1890s, Conrad Leonhiser operated a grocery store at the northwest corner of Reese and Hancock Streets. During some of its years in business, a saloon was also connected to the grocery store. You can see the exact location of Mr. Leonhiser’s business in the 1886 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. The saloon was at 733 Hancock Street, and the grocery was at 735 Hancock Street. (Street numbers changed at least twice during the years of operation of the grocery store.)

Notes on the original picture identified the individuals. From left to right are: Conrad Leonhiser, Mrs. Gundlach, and Mrs. Conrad Leonhiser. On the wagon are Henry Leonhiser (left) and Mr. Heinzerling (right.)

Brooms and produce can be seen in the front of the store, while lamps, bottles and other items line the shelves inside the store. Acme soap was one item sold by Conrad Leonhiser.

 On August 1, 1896, Conrad Leonhiser died at the age of 63. His funeral took place the family residence at 731 Hancock Street. The Odd Fellows and Druids attended the funeral of Conrad Leonhiser. An article in the August 4, 1896 issue of the Sandusky Register reported that Mr. Leonhiser’s funeral was largely attended, and friends and family remembered him with beautiful floral arrangements. He is buried at Oakland Cemetery.