Monday, September 19, 2022

The Graham Block

 


The image above is from an 1894 publication, Art Work of Huron and Erie Counties. According to volume 11 of the Firelands Pioneer, John A. Graham had the Graham Block built in the late 1870s. He was also known for having established the first drug store in Sandusky, on the corner of Columbus Avenue and Water Street, where Daly’s Pub is now located. 

Stores on the street level in the picture above are George Knopf and Sons, a men’s store; the Quinn and Whitworth grocery store; and Henry Dehnel’s jewelry store. To the south of the Graham Block was the Sloane House hotel (slightly visible on the left), and the old Post Office was to the north (at the corner of Columbus and Market). An advertisement for diamonds at the Dehnel store appears on the side of the building. The Graham Block was in the 200 block of Columbus Avenue

In the image below, from 1949, you can see the Graham Block as a sign was being placed on the new Lasalle’s store. Byer Brothers and the Caryl Crane store are on the lower level of the Graham Building. Further down the block are J.C. Penney, Montgomery Ward, and Gray’s Drug Store.

Today the property where the Graham Block once stood is occupied by the Erie County Building and parking garage. This block in downtown Sandusky continues to play a vital role in the lives of the residents of Sandusky and Erie County, Ohio.

1 comment:

Ed Daniel said...

In the segment that lists other stores in the block that included the Graham Bldg and the then-new Lasalle's, you neglected to mention Rosino's shoe store, that was next to the Carol Crane Store. As a high schooler in 1950, I worked Saturday mornings at Rosino's, dusting the shelves, emptying waste baskets, and breaking up cardboard boxes to fit in the paper bundler that was located in the basement. I remember the job well, as it was my first paying job. In the photo, Rosino's is hidden by a truck parked in front of the store.