Opening of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Building in 1931

The Fraternal Order of Eagles was founded in 1898 by a group of Seattle theater owners, developing into a community service organization. The Sandusky Aerie of Eagles, No. 444 was organized at a meeting at Link’s Hall on July 30. 1913. For several years, the local Eagles members met at the Odd Fellows’ Hall. On April 27, 1930, ground was broken for a new Eagles building, at the northwest corner of Washington Row and Wayne Street.

Alfred Schnurr was the general contractor for the building, and Harold C. Parker was the supervising architect. The coal–fueled heating system and modern plumbing equipment were supplied by Brohl and Appell. A leading tinner in Sandusky, Jacob Wilken, did the sheet metal work for the new Eagles building, which included downspouts, a sky light, ventilators and louvers. The latest type of electric wiring was installed by Diamond S Electric, while the electrical fixtures were installed by the Ohio Public Service Company. The Herb and Myers Company furnished the lodge’s chairs, tables, and ceremonial altars. Several lodge chairs were made from tan Morocco leather. The lumber and mill work in the new Eagles home were furnished by the Sandusky Sash Door and Lumber Company. The Mack Iron and Works provided stairs, railings, grating and other iron items used in the new Eagles building.  

The new Eagles home was dedicated on Sunday, March 8, 1931. A parade commenced at 1:30 p.m., with Eagles from all over the state of Ohio in participation. Conrad H. Mann, Head of Insurance Department, was the main speaker. Ritualistic ceremonies were conducted by the Degree Team of Akron Aerie, No. 555. A public meeting was held at 8 p.m., with Deputy Grand Auditor H.J. Berrodin, acting as toastmaster. Conrad Mann spoke again at the public meeting, and entertainment was provided by the Fraternal Order of Eagles Quartette from Lorain, Ohio. 

The building at 165 East Washington Row served as home to the Sandusky Aerie of Eagles, No. 444 from 1931 until about 1951. From 1952 to 1958, the Eagles met  in Sandusky at 243 East Market Street. By September, 1958, the Sandusky Aerie of Eagles, No. 444 had another new home, this time located at 1235 West Perkins Avenue.

Pictured below are four members of the Sandusky Eagles, most likely from the 1920s. The men are: Charles Simon, Charles Sinerson, Jacob Wilken and Robert Rheinegger.

Visit the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center to view the dedication program from the opening of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Sandusky, Aerie NO. 444 in 1931, or to view historical newspaper articles about the event.

The Murschel House

For a century, the Murschel House was located in the 1200 block of North Depot Street close to the train station in Sandusky. Ellie Damm wrote in Treasure by the Bay that Jacob Murschel built a saloon and hotel in 1876, opposite the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad depot. The hotel and saloon were convenient for both railroad workers and travelers. (The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway later became a part of the New York Central Railroad.)

After the death of Jacob Murschel, his son William Y. Murschel ran the hotel for many years. By 1902, John Sinerson was listed in the Sandusky City Directory as being the proprietor of the Murschel House.

A full page advertisement in the book What: Souvenir of Sandusky, Ohio and the Islands of Lake Erie, features interior views of the bar, reading room, dining room, and barber shop of the Murschel House.

The Murschel House was often mentioned on the society pages of the Sandusky Register and the Sandusky Star Journal, as it was the location for many banquets, meetings, family gatherings, and even wedding receptions. An article from the Star Journal of September 3, 1911 reported that Alice Cherry, who weighed 450 pounds, was “the largest and most impressive guest” in the history of the Murschel House. Alice Cherry had been appearing as the “Fat Lady” at the county fair. Her visit to the Murschel House caused local excitement. In July of 1916, a troop train from the New York Central Railroad stopped in Sandusky. Several servicemen from Maine, all clad in khaki, stopped at the Murschel House for coffee and sandwiches. Newspaper reports state that the cash register bell was “working over time for a while.” In 1925, the Murschel House was a polling location for voters in the Third Ward of Sandusky. Murschel House sponsored a bowling team in Sandusky’s Industrial League during the 1930’s.

Through the years, the Murschel House had several different owners. It was still listed in the 1981 Sandusky City Directory, but by 1991 the city ordered the building to be demolished for safety concerns. Visit the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center to learn more about the Murschel House and other historic hotels and businesses in Sandusky and Erie County.