Matchbook Covers from Sandusky Businesses

Do you remember when you could grab a free book of matches on your way out of a restaurant or store?

Journalist and author Harry Van Stack donated several matchbook covers from Sandusky businesses to the Sandusky Library. The matchbooks were from five restaurants and a service station that were in operation primarily in the 1930s and 1940s in downtown Sandusky. The Boulevard Cafe can be seen in the picture below next to the Ohio Theatre on West Market Street in 1937.

In the 1931 photograph of downtown Sandusky, the Pelican Restaurant is on the west side of Columbus Avenue, just north of Rosino’s, and Martin’s is at the northeast corner of Columbus Avenue and Market Street.

Fred A. Martin, Proprietor of Martin’s Confectionery

Fred A. Martin was born in Belgium on January 27, 1882 to Mr. and Mrs. Julius Martin. The Martin family came to the United States when Fred was a youngster. After residing for a time in Indiana, the family moved to Sandusky in 1901. As a young man, Fred worked as a glass worker, along with his father. In 1905 he married Alpha Steen, and they had two sons, Fred A. Martin, Jr. and Harry Martin. In 1910 Mr. Martin began a confectionery and ice cream business on the west side of Columbus Avenue. By 1915 Martin’s Confectionery had moved to the Cooke Block at the northeast corner of Columbus Avenue and Market Street. You can see the name Martin’s under the small clock on the right side of this 1931 photograph of downtown Sandusky.

In the 1916 Sandusky City Directory, Martin’s Confectionery was listed as a wholesale and retail ice cream manufacturer, with a full line of bakery goods and confections. Martin’s also featured a dining room. Local residents often called upon Martin’s for catering large parties and family gatherings. In 1921, Mr. Martin gave up the wholesale ice cream business, and focused on making candy. A separate manufacturing plant for Martin’s was located at 206 East Water Street during much of the 1920s and 1930s. This advertisement, which appeared in the Sandusky Star Journal on February 12, 1923, encouraged customers to purchase their Valentine’s Day treats from Martin’s.

Heart shaped cakes and a variety of fine boxed chocolates were popular at Martin’s for Valentine’s Day in 1923.

On September 25, 1939, Fred A. Martin died, following a lengthy illness. A lengthy obituary for Fred A. Martin, Sr. appeared in the September 26, 1939 issue of the Sandusky Register. Fred Martin had been known as a “booster” of Sandusky, and his business was well respected in the area. Following his death, Mr. Martin’s wife and sons operated Martin’s Restaurant at 225 West Market Street.

Through the Years at the Northeast Corner of West Market and Jackson Streets

The Majestic Theatre was located at the northeast corner of West Market and Jackson Streets in 1908. The theater was not damaged in the fire which broke out in the Andres and Frey furniture store and undertakers building on January 10, 1908. The Sandusky Star Journal reported that the stone wall construction of the Market Street buildings helped prevent more serious fire damage to the adjacent buildings.

In 1925, Eugene B. Ackley had a Billiard Academy at the northeast corner of West Market and Jackson Streets in downtown Sandusky. Mr. Ackley was also the director and manager of Ackley’s Band and Orchestra. E. B. Ackley was associated with area bands from the late 1890’s through the 1903’s.

In the 1955 photograph below, Hills Supply Company, Martin’s Restaurant, and the Ohio Theater can be seen on West Market Street.

Currently, a municipal parking lot is located at the site of these former Sandusky businesses. If you would like to learn more about the history of Sandusky and Erie County, visit the Archives Research Center of the Sandusky Library. Historical atlases, city directories, local history books and hundreds of historical photographs can help you learn more about the people and businesses that have contributed to the rich history of Erie County.