Red Arrow Auctions in Sandusky

In 1930 and 1931, several "Red Arrow Auctions" were held at the Junior High School in Sandusky.

Local businesses gave customers “Red Arrow Money” which could then be redeemed for items at a "Red Arrow Auction." Clarence E. Depew, an advertising man from Springfield, Illinois promoted the Red Arrow Auctions. The auctions took place in the midst of the Great Depression, providing an entertaining diversion for Sandusky area residents. Dozens of Sandusky businesses participated in the program. The Cohn’s store was considered a “Red Arrow Store.”

At the first Red Arrow Auction, held May 28, 1930, Rev. J.A. Griffith won a $25.00 breakfast set, for which he paid $18 of Red Arrow money. O.F. Kopp of Hayes Avenue paid $466 of Red Arrow money for window screens valued at $41.00. Prior to the Red Arrow Auction, entertainment was provided by junior high school students, under the direction of Miss Mary Helen Homegardner and Carl Mackey.

An “Our Gang Comedy” movie was the entertainment at the July, 1930 Red Arrow Auction. In September, 1930, the Auction featured a doll costume contest, with cash prizes given out. Usually the crowds at the auctions numbered from 1800 to 2000.

An article in the May 27, 1931 issue of the Sandusky Register reported that no more Red Arrow Auctions would be taking place, though Red Arrow Money could be redeemed until June 25. The article stated about the most recent auction: “All of the auctions held in the past have attracted good attendance, but the crowd Tuesday night was declared to have been the best ever and there was spirited bidding shown for the many fine articles of merchandise that were offered by local merchants.”

East Side of Columbus Avenue in the Early Twentieth Century

The picture above shows the east side of Columbus Avenue between Washington Row and Market Street in the first decade of the twentieth century. At the southeast corner of Columbus and Market is the Mayer Lebensburger Company, which sold men’s clothing and hats. The overcoat department was on the upper level of the store. John A. Giedeman’s shoe and boot store was next to Lebensburger's. Mr. Giedeman had a shoe store in Sandusky for several years, with a variety of locations and business partners. The bookseller S.T. Lemley took over the bookstore that was formerly owned by Mr. Huntington. S.T. Lemley sold books and stationery, and offered a picture framing service.  According to the 1908 Sandusky City Directory, Amelia Homegardner and Helen Zimmerman sold art and needlework supplies at the A. Zimmerman & Company. S.D. Arvanite was a manufacturer and jobber of confectionery and ice cream in the building just north of the Kingsbury Block. Oliver Marble, architect, had his office in the upper level a storefront on Columbus Avenue, and so did two dentists, J.E. Herman and H.S. Rogers. In the Kingsbury Block, Doctors D.D. Smith and J.K. Douglass also had busy dental offices. The Kingsbury Block was located at the northeast corner of Columbus Avenue and Washington Row from 1894 until the early 1920s. We do not know positively what band is playing in the parade down Columbus Avenue. At the time this photograph was taken, the streetcar was a popular mode of transportation, but area residents still used the horse and buggy as well.

Visit the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center to view this and several thousand more vintage photographs of Sandusky and Erie County.