Businesses | Lowell And Adams Tow

Bussinesses

From the day when early residents of the area produced most of their own requirements through fishing, hunting, spinning, weaving, candle-making, and the like, there was a steady growth in agriculture, at least until the improvement of the river with dams, canals, and locks, around 1840. Then as settlers came from Germany for jobs on this improvement project, they settled their families in the hill districts, considered up to that time undesirable but soon made to yield abundantly by German thrift and industry.

Soon after settlement, Joseph Wells constructed near the mouth of Cats Creek a horse mill, which was changed to water power by Enoch Wing. In the American Friend, a Marietta newspaper, for June 10, 1813, there was an advertisement of Cats Creek Mills in Adams Township which employed a man experienced in cloth dressing. Wheelock, Fuller, and Sadler were the proprietors.

As stated elsewhere, surplus wheat, corn, cider, and other products were floated down the rivers as far as New Orleans. Cattle, sheep, hogs, and turkeys were driven overland to Baltimore. Progress in agriculture continued at least until the Civil War, although industry took an upsurge following the completion of the dam, canal, and lock, about the middle of the nineteenth century.

In 1824 the captain of the steamboat Rufus Putnam found that a flood in the Muskingum made possible the first steamboat trip up the river to Zanesville. Passengers went aboard at Marietta on Friday, January 9, and arrived at Zanesville Saturday night. The return trip was made in eight hours because of the rapid current. Regular steamboat traffic did not begin until the dams were completed in 1841.

This improvement is held to have "caused Lowell to develop from a farming community into a village." The length of the canal had been extended to afford more room for water-powered factories. Soon, several establishments were built along it - a sawmill, a grist mill, and a woolen mill. And a little later came other establishments across the river, including two mills, a large warehouse for tobacco, a medicine factory, and a hotel. But the industrial, as well as the agricultural, prosperity of the community is held to have been suddenly stopped by the outbreak of the Civil War.

Soon activity in oil started, following the drilling in 1860 of the first well in Washington County at Macksburg. The oil from the Macksburg well was team-hauled to Lowell in barrels by wagon, stored in the tobacco warehouse, and shipped by boat to Pittsburgh. The first large pools in Adams Township were found in the Reed field on Cats Creek and the Minch field northwest of Lowell. Oil development seems to have hit a high point about the turn of the century on Bear Creek.

Meanwhile, agriculture was regaining its hold on the community as indicated by the building of tanneries and plow handle and stave factories. There was also wagon and harness manufacturing as far back as 1870 and cigar making around 1900. Farming at this later date included grain crops and livestock enterprises, with "too much hay shipped out," even at that time. Considerable attention was paid to orchard and small fruits until after the turn of the century. Horticultural exhibits and exhibitors from the Lowell area held a prominent place at the Washington County Fair which was strongly supported by farmers from the Lowell community from 1870 on.

While agriculture held on in the face of continuing interest in oil, farming shifted largely to general crop and livestock enterprises until truck growing came in about the turn of the century. Early cabbage and tomatoes were leading crops.

Some lines of business started tapering off by the time of World War I. Among these were river traffic, timber cutting, oil, mining, and trade. None dropped off disastrously and a part of them seemed to have experienced considerable pickup following World War I and again near the end of the depression.

The first tannery in Lowell was built by P. B. Buell at the upper end of Walnut Street. In 1866 Wilking, Wendell & Co. built the first steam tannery at the corner of Third and Market. Franz Wilking in 1877 operated a steam tannery on the north side of Fourth Street two lots below Franklin. Each steam tannery had a capacity of 2,500 heavy hides a year. The Fourth Street tannery was changed to a plow handle factory called the Lowell Manufacturing Company. It was destroyed by fire in about 1898. Adam Blankenbuhler built another tannery near the canal above Franklin Street. A stave factory operated for a time on the island.

A stave mill was opened just above Lowell around 1949. The product of this mill, used in making whiskey barrels, was sawed out of select white oak timber hauled from as far away as Coolville, Chesterhill, Dexter City, New Matamoras, and several points in West Virginia.

The Lowell creamery, located on the corner of Fifth and Market, was sucessfully operated for a number of years during the latter part of nineteenth century. It was then sold to a Cleveland company and moved to lower Fourth Street, where it was continued for a short time and then dismantled and the machinery taken to Whipple.

It is said that the principal stores in Lowell in 1881 were owned by P. Mattern, D. W. Sprague & Co., Davis and Trapp, P. Rummer, S. N. Merriam, and James F. Putnam. Franz Wilking operated the Lowell Hotel at this time. In 1869 Franz Schneider constructed a three-story furniture store which was purchased in 1896 by C. G. Schneider and sold by him to H. Spies and Son in 1913. This remained the only three-story brick structure in Lowell until the old Cox-Wolfram building on the east side of Walnut at the canal was moved back to make room for the construction of the F. H. Wolfram building in 1896. In 1873 John Hopp started a blacksmith shop near the locks. Jacob Hollinger came from Germany in 1865 and started a blacksmith shop on Walnut Street, later expanding his business to include the manufacture of wagons, buggies, and harnesses. The Lowell Building Association was incorporated on February 24, 1871.

In 1891, Lowell’s businesses included, a barbershop, two blacksmiths, a carriage manufacturer, a cooper shop, a flour mill, a furniture store, five general merchandisers, a grocery, a gunsmith, a harness maker, two hotels, a jeweler, a milliner, three physicians, a planing mill, four saloons, two tanneries, two shoemakers, and a tinner.

The business directory of Lowell in 1898 included: A. Applebay, gunsmith, Main and Canal; Jacob Becker, Valley House, Main; E. P. Becker, station agent; A. D. Bell, justice of the peace, Walnut; Kate Davis, millinery, Canal; E. W. Dean, Cigar Mfr., Main; Robert Dearth, livery stable, Main; John B. Eck, wines and liquors, Bridge and Lock; Fred Fouss, saloon, Second; Wm. Gheen, Lowell House, Main; M. W. Guice, wagon maker, Walnut; Charles M. Harris, physician, Bridge; J. Hollinger, blacksmith, Walnut; J. Hopp, blacksmith, Main; W. T. Jackson, livery stable, Fourth; J. T. Lansley, general merchandise, Main; Longley and Bell, agricultural implements, Walnut; J. H. Mattern, wool buyer; Phillip Mattern, general merchandise, Main; George Phillips, physician, Canal; W. W. Ray, barber shop, Canal; Rechsteiner Bros., saw mill; Riecker Bros., general merchandise, Bridge; H. Rietz & Co., merchandise, Canal; Robinson & Co., Meat Market, Canal; C. G. Schneider, furniture, Main; Stamm & Jones, liquors and cigars, Canal; A. D. Stanley, druggist, jeweler, and postmaster, Canal; Mrs. Kate Stanley, photographer, Canal and Walnut; Jerry Swain, furniture and undertaking, Main; J. W. Taylor, jeweler,
Canal and Walnut; John Trapp, harness maker, Main; Mrs. Miles Vaughn, dressmaking, Canal; J. G. Wagner, shoemaker; John Wagner, blacksmith, Main; Wendell Tannery, Canal; Wilking and Co., Rolling Mills, River; F. H. Wolfram, dry goods, Main.

By 1913 the following people engaged in business in addition to the above: W. P. Rice, drygoods; Savage Cigar Factory; Ada Sprague, millinery; Riemann Saloon; Dr. G. L. Lyne; Dr. J. L. Mason; Dr. A. O. Glass, dentist; Louis Wilking, photographer; O. H. Henniger, bakery.

In 1950, Lowell boasted of the following business establishments: two general stores and three groceries, one each of feed and produce stores, a vegetable growers' cooperative marketing association, a furniture store with an undertaking business, a planing mill, a lumber and builders supplies firm, a blacksmith shop, a printery, a barbershop, two restaurants, four saloons in addition to a couple of taverns on the outskirts of town, a dance hall, five filling stations, two tourist homes, a bank, and the Post Office.

Between 1956 and 1966, at least 12 new businesses opened in Lowell, or within a few yards of its limits. Most of these new businesses had opened in new buildings. Among these businesses were three new garages; a laundromat; a dairy freeze; a new service station; a bait shop with a complete line of fishing equipment; a barber shop; a dine and dance restaurant; a large gift ad variety store; and two new beauty parlors. Several older businesses also expanded.

MAIN STREET

100

This is currently the Duke and Duchess. Prior businesses on this lot include:

Bowen's Station, operated by Willis "Bunk" and Selma Bowen
The Clean Spot, operated by J. C. Gorrell; Earl Ulmer; Harold Basnett; Cecil Pottmeyer, Mr. Adams, Mr. Rauch; Paul and Ruth Milner; Floyd Porter.
Easterday's Clean Spot Truck Stop, operated by Floyd Easterday.

Bowen's was owned by Willis "Bunk" and Selma Bowen. Quaker State Oil Co., Sterling Division, owned the land and building, but leased it to the Bowens. They operated a restaurant and grocery store there until 1941 when Mr. Bowen returned to work for AT&T and they left Lowell. In 1938, three feet of water spilled into the business during the flood.

The business name was changed to The Clean Spot after the Bowens left. It was operated by many people, including: J. C. Gorell; Earl Ulmer; Harold Basnett; Misters Pottmeyer, Adams, and Rauch; Paul and Ruth Milner; Floyd Porter; and Floyd Easterday. Easterday, held the lease and operated Easterday's Clean Spot, from 1963 to 1978.

Several cabins that stood behind the building provided rooms for travelers. Most of these were torn down in the 1970s.

The newly built Duke and Duchess Shoppe opened in July 1989.

On July 12, 1953, a vehicle accident occurred out in front of The Clean Spot on State Route 77 (State Route 60).

A car driven by Wayne Styer of Waterford was making a left turn into The Clean Spot when it was struck from behind by a car driven by Lyle Goodson of Marietta.

Although neither driver was injured, Goodson was arrested and fined $10 and costs in a Lowell Mayor's Court for failure to stop with the assured clear distance ahead.

The operator of The Clean Spot, Earl Ulmer, was a sergeant in the auxiliary State Highway Patrol. He began directing traffic around a pile of glass which was left from the accident.

At 1:05 a.m., ten minutes after the vehicle accident, Ulmer was killed instantly when he was struck by a car driven by Daniel Rapp of Marietta.

Although Ulmer was using a flashlight, Rapp was unable to see him, possibly because of a large crowd that lined the edge of the highway.

On April 28, 1937, W. V. Bowen announced the opening of his new service station. He wrote:

"We wish to announce opening of our New Modern Super Service Station and Tourist Camp at our New Location East-side Lowell on Route 77, Saturday, May 1, featuring all "Quaker State Products" - "General Tires" - "Willard Batteries" and having Washing
and Greasing Room, large Lunch Room, Accessories Room and fine Rest Rooms. Washing and Greasing Room equipped for Hi-Pressure car washing and having latest of equipment for greasing all model cards with finest of grease and oil. Lunch Room to be large, near and clean, open 24 hours, serving customers with best of Food, Moores
and Ross Ice Cream, Sodas, Cold Drinks and above all the best Coffee in town. In our Grocery Room we will carry a small stock of Groceries, Lunch Meats, Bread, Milk and Confections, to be opening evenings and Sundays. Accessories Room to carry complete stock of General Tires, Willard Batteries and Cables, Gates Fan Belts and other small accessories. Rest Rooms equipped wit hot and cold water and to be clean at all times.

On Opening Day, Saturday, May 1, Souvenirs will be given free to every one. Valuable Prizes will be given to the 25th, 75th, 150th, and 200th person making purchase and registering.

PRIZES AS FOLLOWS
25th Person making Purchase. 75c in Trade
75th.... 25 lb. Sack Sugar
150th.... $1.50 in Trade
200th.... 10 gallon Sterling Gasoline.

Also 40 Pints Moores & Ross Ice Cream to be given away on Opening Day. You must
register and make a purchase to be entitled to a Prize.

We wish to thank you for the patronage you have given in the past, and hope we can
continue to serve you at our new location after May 1st.

Sincerely yours,
W. V. BOWEN"

186-188

This is a mobile home park.

187

This is currently Gutberlet Automotive, owned by Kyle and Kent Gu
terblet. Prior businesses at this location include:

Bob Kellar's Auto Sales
Bob Dennis' Auto Sales
S&A Auto Sales, owned by Sondra Cunningham.

189

This is currently used by Gutberlet's Automotive. Prior to their purchasing of the structure, it was home to:

P,J&K Drive-In, owned by Sondra Cunningham
Lowell Drive-In, owned by Kathy Dennis
Neader's Dari-Bar, owned by Jerry and Judith Neader
Applegarth's Drive-In, owned by Mr. Applegarth, and later by Roger Hupp
Sheppard's Drive-In, owned by Lewis Sheppard.

191

There are two structures on this lot. The first was most recently the

Lowell Laundromat, owned by the Bules family; then owned by Zack Perine; and most recently operated by Sherry Lancaster.

Next to the laundromat, on the same lot, is the former Bules' Car Wash. This structure was used for yard sales for many years. It was sold to Zack Perine who enclosed the open structure and turned it into storage units.

194

This is currently a private residence. It was previously used as Dr. Perry Oakley's office.

206

This is currently used as a lot for Perine Bros Trucking. Prior to
this, the lot was used for a service station (76 and Gulf). This station had various owners over the years, including: Barney Wagner, Don Bauerbach, Norman Smith, Jan King, and Max Huck. Prior to this, homes stood on this lot.

207

This is currently Thomas Park. Prior to this, there was a private residence. The home was destroyed in a fire, but continued standing for many years before being demolished.

208

This is currently a private residence. This residence was previously used for Zona's Bed and Breakfast, owned by Zona Gant.

213

This is currently a private residence. This residence was formerly used for Lothes Insurance Agency, owned by Donna Lothes.

200 block

The Fortified Settlement Marker, Veterans Memorial, and the old water pump are located next to 213 Main Street.

216

This is currently a private residence. This structure has previously been:

The Lannaham Hotel
Gheen's Lowell House, owned by Bill Gheen
Frank Gorrell's Print Shop and the Lowell Record
Pete Stewart's Saloon
a tin shop
Edyth's Beauty Shoppe, owned by Edyth Fryman
H. Rietz & Co. Antiques, owned by Danny and Shana Woodford.

218

This is lot has previously been:

Woody's Garage, owned by Woody Woodruff
Harley Hughes' Garage
Herman Wagner's Garage
the Hupp-Augenstein Garage
a livery.

220

This is currently a parking lot. This lot was previously the Valley Hotel, owned by Jacob Becker.

224

This is currently The Connection Day Spa, owned by Linda Lohr. This building formerly housed:

Schneider's Furniture and Funeral Home
Spies Furniture and Undertaking
Peoples Furniture and Funeral Home.

A three-story building that was attached to this structure was torn down.

The original three-story structure at 224 Main Street was built in 1869 by Franz Schneider, a cabinet maker who, having been tired of conducting a grocery and saloon, started a furniture store and funeral home.

It was used as a furniture store and funeral home the entire time that it stood. It also housed the only elevator in the village. The old Warren elevator was made in Cincinnati and installed by a company from Zanesville. The elevator shaft had a pencil marking where the 1937 flood water was at. It was about six feet above the first floor.

The owners of the furniture store were all funeral directors and made their home in the part of the building that is two stories high. Schneider operated the furniture store on the first floor and the funeral home on the second. The Masonic Lodge, chartered in 1869, used the third floor for its meeting place.

Christian Schneider bought the building from Franz and continued in the business until 1913 when he sold it to Henry Spies, and son George. After the death of his father, George continued the business until his retirement in 1947. He sold the business and property to Robert S. Peoples.

The funeral home eventually moved into the old Valley Hotel next door. Bill Peoples took over the funeral home in 1979, but his father continued the furniture business until 1981 when he retired. The current Cawley and Peoples Funeral Home on Lock Street was opened in November 1980.

The original building was demolished in 1989. Beulah Peoples, owner of the building, said at the time that she "had no alternative but to tear it down". The roof was reportedly in bad shape and the masonry was beginning to crumble. The old masonry was used
as fill on the lot across the street belonging to the L-A Fire Department.

There was also a two-story structure that was attached to the three-story main structure. This structure still stands and is currently used by the Connection.

226

This is currently Lowell American Legion Post 750. The building had a third floor, which was removed, and was used for the Masonic Lodge. This lot previously housed:

Applebay's Gunsmith and Tin Shop, owned by Wiley Applebay
Applebay's Hardware, owned by Wiley Applebay
the Central Hotel, owned by Fred and Caroline Fouss
the J.C. Fischer Shoe Shop
Walter Jackson's Pool Room
Loren Chandler's Pool Hall
a drug store
a restaurant

228

This was most recently Buzzard's Bar, owned by Bernard and Julia Brooker. This building was formerly the home of:

Nick's Place, owned by Arthur Nicholas
William Detlor's Restaurant
Reed's Restaurant
the Rice & Beach Store, owned by Wil liam Rice and Adam Beach

A house is located next to this building on the same lot and shares the same address.

229

This building is currently a private residence. This building has been used as:

William Detlor's Service Station
John Hughes Service Station, Restaurant (operated by Icel Hughes), Gunshop, and Marine Equipment
Bishop's Gun Shop, owned by Jim Bishop
The Iron Skillet, owned by Floyd and Patty Drake
His and Her's Bait, Sport, and Ceramic Shop, owned by Travis and June Ours
Ma and Pa's Dinnerbell, owned by Travis and June Ours
Nana Red's Daycare
Main Street Pawn & Sporting, owned by Jerry Perine
Webbed Hearts Motorcycle Club

This lot was also used for Applebay's Gunsmith Shop, owned by Alexander Applebay; and a Cigar Factory.

230

This is currently a private garage. This building formerly housed:

Jerry's Auto Body, owned by Jerry Smith
Brown's Garage, owned by Derek Brown
Bosner's Garage, owned by Harold Bosner.

The lot was also home to A. L. Savage's Tobacco Store.

232

This is currently a private residence. This home was previously used as an apartment and private residence, owned by Harold Bosner; and as Willson's Hotel, owned by Joseph Willson.

233

This building is currently empty, but was previously the home to:
Billy Ray's Barbershop
Wib Wilson's Barber shop
the phone office for Lowell
the Lowell Gift and Flower Shop, owned by Pam Slack.

This lot was also used for a restaurant and housing.

234

This is currently the home of the Masonic Lodge (on the top two floors). This building previously housed:

F. H. Wolfram's Store
the I.O.O.F.
the Top Hat Club
Miller's Stop-Lite Store, owned by Don and Katherine Miller
Stop-Lite Pizza and Recreation Room
Nelson's Drugs
the Orioles Nest
the Moose Lodge.

This lot was also home to:

the Cox-Wolfram Store, owned by Joseph Cox and Frank Wolfram
the Lowell House, owned by Theodore Schriener, then by Franz Wilking, and then by William Gheen.

The small building adjacent to the larger building was home to The Nook Ice Cream and Magazine Store.

This building has housed Wolfram’s store and various other businesses on the first floor, and lodges (Masons and Odd Fellows) on the second and third floors.

Built in 1896, Frank H. Wolfram owned the basement and first two stories of the build ing constructed at the corner of Walnut and Main Streets. It stands on the former site of the old Cox-Wolfram general store, which was moved to the back.

The I.O.O.F. Lodge had the third floor built. The full cost of the approximately 80 X 40 three-story brick building with a full hand-dug basement was around $8,000. Under the unusual contract which was drawn up at the time, the I.O.O.F. Lodge was obligated for the care and upkeep of the roof, and the other owner, the foundation.

The Lowell Co-Operative Company was organized in 1915, taking over the business of F. H. Wolfram & Son. In 1919, the company purchased the lower floors of the building. The company carried "a general line of goods, making a specialty of Nationally Advertised goods and goods of merit and quality".

In 1925, it was Lowell's largest department store and the largest co-operative store in the state with $25,000 capital stock. The stock was sold to local businessmen and farmers of the surrounding community.

The officers of the company at that time were Frank J. Schwendeman, President; M. H. Dyar, Vice-President; Adam Lothes, 2nd Vice-President; Clark Chandler, Secretary. These men and C. F. Stacy made up the Board of Directors. A. C. Beach was the General Manager.

On March 11, 1926, The Lowell Co-Operative Store was robbed. Burglars entered the store with a skeleton key and took women's dresses, hosiery, a few carpenter tools, and several dollars in cash. The merchandise was valued at about $100.

300

This is currently People's Bank. This lot was previously used for:

Elza Roff's Service Station (Pennzip, Mobile, Sunoco);
H. Rietz & Co./Henniger and Reitz Store
Roy Henniger's Store
Rose Davis' Millinery Shop
the Lowell Record
the Opera House
an Ice Cream Parlor
John Anders' Jewerly Shop
Paul Heckman's Saloon
The Lowell Drug Co. "Dr. Mason's drugstore"
a Dentist office
Parley Rummer's Dry Goods and Groceries
Edward Dean's Cigar Store
Roff's Clover Farm Store
Tolley's Clover Farm Store, owned by Okey and Velma Tolley
Newton's Clover Farm Store, owned by Retta and Ella Newton
Rothley's Restaurant
William Zumbro's Restaurant and Pool Room
Smith's Barber Shop
Dorsey's Discount Auto Sales

H. Rietz & Co., later The Henniger and Rietz store, was a large department store selling groceries, meats, dishes, clothing, and materials. They also exchanged farm products for store products. The store was owned by Phoebe Rietz and Henry Rietz, in
partnership with Albert Henniger and his son Roy Henniger.

This large, two-story brick building, was built around 1889 by Henry Rietz. Two other buildings were first moved from the site. One, a grocery store owned by Parley Rummer, was moved back and used as a warehouse. The other building was Rietz's own two-story brick dwelling, which was turned around and moved to face the street behind the store.

About 1900, Henry Rietz sold out to his sister Phoebe, and Albert Henniger. At this time, the big general store became known as Henniger and Rietz. It was soon after this that Albert Henniger had the idea of removing the matting, oilcloth, bright carpets, and other bulky merchandise from the second floor and converting it into a combination auditorium, dance hall, or Opera House.

Band concerts, local theatricals, lyceum courses, picture shows, and Farmer’s Institutes were held at Lowell's Opera House. It would seat about 250 people, but seats were not permanent and could be removed for a dance, or set up in rows for performances or lectures.

Medicine shows were frequent and popular entertainment in the auditorium and usually played to a full house. The old-time medicine show was much like any vaudeville show of the period, with the exception that they were as interspersed with commercials, or attempts at selling, as any show on TV today. These shows sold everything and anything, not just their patent medicines, using a variety of gimmicks.

Contests, or "votes", were apparently one of the most successful and profitable schemes. With every bar of soap or bottle of medicine, which was guaranteed to cure all ills, the purchaser was allowed one vote for one of the village's babies. The mother of the winning baby received a diamond ring which, townsfolks recalled, always turned
out to be fake.

Mr. Charles Paine performed at two or three shows a year in the Opera House, and helped the village folks stage and present their own minstrel shows. Charles was paid $15 a week. All earnings from these shows went to the sponsoring organizations, and
the proceeds from the home talent minstrel shows were used to buy music for several local bands. Tickets were fifteen cents and twenty-five cents.

The Lyceum played in this large hall for several years presenting around five shows each season for $3.50 a season ticket.

The best remembered play under the direction of Charles Paine was a three-act comedy titled "My Uncle From Japan". Appearing in this production were Karl Wilking, Kate Hollinger, Laura Wendell, Irvin Longley, Ernest Reicker, Ross Gray, and others.

On February 19, 1903, well before 7:30 that evening, the orchestra under the direction of Prof. P. E. Kidd was pinged and tuned, and at the downbeat, "The Pride of the Regiment" opened the evening's performance.

The opera hall was crowded that cold night by a crowd who were warmed by the large pot-bellied stoves in the big hall. The gas footlights shed a dancing glow as the curtain went up on the first one-act play of the evening which was being presented by "Ye
Lads and Lassies."

Many of the members of the cast of those three plays given that evening were well known residents of Lowell and Adams Township.

The first offering was titled, "That Rascal Pat" and featured Spencer Kile as Pat McNoggerty, with Albert Rechsteiner as Major Puffjacket, Cecil Geddes as Charles Livingstone, Anna Reimann as Lucy, and Olive Guise as her maid, Nancy.

The second play was, "All in a Fog, Who's Who?" with Walter Wolfram heading the cast as Mr. Brambleton, Garth Stanley as Simonides Swanhopper, Louis Henniger as Lawrence Lavender, Iva Brown as Cicily Brambleton, and Belva Leake, the maid, Matilda Jane.

"Jumbo Jum" was the third and final play. Herbert Leake played Mr. Gobbleton, Churchill Augenstein was Lawyer Cheatem, Victor Schloetzer played Harry Merrille, Albert Wendell as Jumbo Jum, Elsa Hopp as Mrs. Gobbleton, Nora Rietz as Adelaide, and Anna Trapp was Hannah, the maid.

Between each production, the orchestra entertained and closed the evening's performace with an overture by Zikoff.

The store and Opera House were completely destroyed by a fire during the 1913 flood.

After the flood, Rietz & Co. General Store opened at a new location at 314 Third Street.

308

This is currently private residences. This structure was previously used for:

the Gray Goose, owned by Ben Eddy
Lowe's Cafe, owned by Donald Lowe
Smitty's Cafe
Henniger's Bakery, owned by Otto H. Henniger

300 block, addresses unknown

There were several structures along the canal.

The first structure was Billy Ray's Barbershop (first location).

The second structure was a warehouse.

The third structure was the First National Bank of Lowell, later a branch of People's Bank (first location); the Post Office; and the offices of Dr. Arthur O. Glass (Dentist) and Dr. J. W. Forshey.

The fourth structure was a bandstand.

The First National Bank of Lowell was organized on May 21, 1900, with William Wendell, president; J. B. Eck, vice president; Frank A. Boyle, secretary; John Saner, cashier.

The bank opened its doors for business in a cramped one-room, small wooden building that was wedged between two larger buildings on Main Street. This building was owned by Henry Rietz. All of these buildings were swept away by the flood and fire of 1913.

The original location of the bank was so small that the large safe had to be kept outside of the building day and night, and the cash and books were carried there at closing time.

People would go in to do their banking business, and more often than not, the teller had to leave their cage or desk and go out to the sidewalk safe to get the papers or cash to complete the transaction.

Although there were no attempts at breaking into the safe while it was kept on the sidewalk, there have been robberies and attempted robberies of the bank. On March 20, 1901, at 2 a.m., the First National Bank of Lowell was entered into by burglars.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rietz, who lived across the street from the bank, heard a noise in the bank, and suspecting something to be wrong, rang their dinner bell to awaken the people of the neighborhood.

They had no more than rang the bell when two men ran from the bank building and down the street. Two other men were also seen running from the vicinity.

An investigation showed that the door had been broken open and the burglars in their haste had left their tools behind. It was suspected that the men had taken an O. & L. K. handcar and left, as it was evident that a pick and some other tools left by them had been taken from the railroad. An investigation revealed that a handcar belonging to the railroad company had been taken by the men. The attempt at burglary was a bold one, as the bank was kept lighted all night.

On September 18, 1900, a contract was let by the bank to Rechstiener Brothers, of Lowell, to construct a proper bank building on the edge of the canal about opposite of the bank's first and temporary home.

When the new bank building was being erected, the old safe was set in place and much of the structure was built around it.

The land along the canal on which the new building was located belonged to the federal government and the men who organized the bank were able to lease the site. The land was later turned back to the State of Ohio, and the bank would pay the state a yearly rental fee.

An addition was later added to the upper part of the building and housed Lowell's post office for about 40 years. The second floor was rented out as offices. Dr. A. C. Glass and Dr. J. W. Forshey had offices there. Around the time the addition was being built, a fine, heavy, fire-proof vault room was installed and the old safe that once stood on the sidewalk disappeared.

The banking rooms were fitted with all modern appliances of safety and convenience. The vault contained 200 safety deposit boxes.

In 1925, William Wendell was President, Albert Wendell was Vice-President and Cashier, John B. Eck was Assistant Cashier, Charles Diest was Director, Roy H. Henniger was Director, and Gerald F. Beach was Bookkeeper.

When William Wendell retired, his son Albert Wendell was elected President. He remained President until his death. Gerald Beach served as manager until he was transferred to Marietta. William McCreery was then named manager.

In 1933 the bank merged with the Peoples Banking and Trust Company of Marietta, and became the Lowell branch of that institution.

In 1950, the bank reported more than 1,600 accounts of which approximately 900 were for savings and 700 for checking. The bank had a capital of $25,000 when the crash of 1929 happened.

A new bank building was built at the corner of Main and Walnut Streets and dedicated on January 28, 1974.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources reviewed the old bank building and determined it was not feasible to have it repaired. On September 12, 1976, the seventy-six year old landmark was burned down.

400 block

The 400 block of Main Street had several private residences. They were demolished for the building of Lowell Elementary School. There are no structures in this block.

508

This is a private residence. This residence is known as "the Piano House" due to the stairs in front of it. There are 52 stairs, equal to the number of white keys on a piano.

500 block, no address

This is a roadside park. The park has one of two grindstones welcoming people to Lowell.

THIRD STREET

185

This is currently Switchback RC in the Village. This structure has previously been home to:

the Marietta Truck Growers Association's Lowell Packing House
R&R Market (IGA Foodliner), owned by Ralph Mahoney and Roger Hupp
Mahoney's Market (Foodland, IGA), owned by Ralph Mahoney
Ace Hardware
Kendall's Market, owned by Ron Kendell
Lowell Classic Foods
Mike's Market
Dollar General
Switchback 185 Drive Thru and Carryout, owned by Zack Perine.

203

This is currently the Lowell Post Office.

302

There are two structures on this property. These structures formerly housed:

Ball Bros/Pete Ball's Garage (and Sinclair Gas)
Lucy's Antiques, owned by Lucille Ball
Hollinger's Blacksmith Shop
Hollinger's Garage, owned by Dewey Hollinger.

304

This structure was most recently used for private residences. It was previously the office of Dr. Perry Oakley.

310

This is currently a private residence. This structure was previously home to:

The Lowell Tavern "Mac's Bar"
Basnett's Cafe, owned by Harold Basnett.

312

This structure formerly housed Ernie Wetz's Appliance Store and a Clothing Store.

314

This is currently Heiss Plumbing and Electric. Previously this structure was home to:

Mahoney's Market (Foodland, Royal Blue, Cardinal E-Z Check), owned by Ralph Mahoney
the Rietz & Co. Store.

316

This structure is currently owned by Lowell Home Builders, Inc. Prior to this it was home to:

the Pioneer Feed Mill
Rechsteiner Milling Company "Lowell Flour Mill", owned by Alva Born and Harold Rechsteiner
the car garage for the interurban railroad.

300 block

Lewis Spies Livery was located across from 316 Third Street.

322

This structure is a private residence. The structure was formerly used as a church.

FOURTH STREET

205

This empty lot was previously used for a power station.

211

This part of Fourth Street was previously home to:

The Lowell Planing Mill Co., owned by Fred Fouss, Pete Rausch, and William Schwartz, then by William Schwartz, Charles Schwartz, F. J. Smith, and H. F. Best.
O. H. Rice Lumber Mill and Building Supplies, owned by Osmer Rice
Lowell Building and Supply Co. "McNutt's Lumber Mill", owned by Clay McNutt.

312

This is currently St. John's Evangelical Church.

322

This is currently Lowell Christian Church.

The Church has an empty lot beside it at what was 324 Fourth Street. This lot previously had a residence that used by the church.

323

This is currently Lowell United Methodist Church.

FIFTH STREET

323

This is currently a private residence. This structure was previously used for the Lowell Creamery.

MARKET STREET

35

This is a concession stand at Buell Island Park.

195

This is Lowell's water treatment plant located on Buell Island.

200

This is the Lowell Pool.

305

This is the Lowell Elementary School. This lot was previously home to:

Lowell School
Lowell High School
residences
William Wendell's Tannery
Franz Wilking's Tannery
the Lowell Manufacturing Co.

WALNUT STREET

206

This is currently a private garage. Prior to its construction, a two-story building sat here, which housed:

D&L Barber & Styling Shop, owned by Donna Greer and Lisa Garvin
Spencer F. Kile's Print Shop
the Cut 'N Curl Shop, owned by Helen Wilson

209

This structure was previously used as:

a Livery and Wagon Shop
Powell's Feed Store
Malone's Plumbing Shop

211

This empty lot was previously used for the Town Hall and Fire Department.

213

This is currently an empty lot. This lot contained a structure that was once a church, and was later used for:

Henniger's Meats, owned by Roy Henniger
Larry's Big Red Market, owned by Larry Sanford
Adam's Grocery, owned by Glen Adams
Henniger and Mallett's Store
Friend's Antiques Store.

This lot was also home to Lowell's Community Christmas Tree.

306

This is currently the Township Hall.

308

This is currently the Lowell Village Offices, including the Mayors Office and the Lowell Police Department. This structure was previously used for the Lowell Fire Department. This lot was the location of the old St. John's Evangelical Church.

309

This is currently the Lowell Area Mission Basket Food Pantry. This structure previously housed Jean's Hair Styling, owned by Jean Hockenberry; and the Lowell Post Office.

680

This is a private residence. Buell Lewis Cemetery is located on this property.

EAST STREET

101

This is a garage owned by the Village.

200 block

This area was the location of the Lowell Grange.

LOCK STREET

No Address

At the beg

223

This is the Lowell-Adams Fire Department. Prior to its construction, this lot was home to John Hopp's Blacksmith Shop; and Fred Hopp's Farm Supplies.

227

This is currently Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home. There is also a historical attraction - a carriage incased in glass with info plaques - located behind the funeral home.

This lot has been home to:

Jacob Schramm's grocery
Jacob Schramm's saloon
John Eck's saloon
F. A. Reimann's saloon
Robert Dearth's livery
the Lowell House Hotel, operated by William and Jewell McAtee
residences, owned by Mrs. Cecil Chafant
private residences
Young's Shoe Shop
businesses owned by Arza and Carl Augenstein, including a pool hall, barbershop, and bait shop.

The first building on this lot was built around 1845. It has been said that this was the Turkington Hotel built by Steve Burt in 1848.

It was sold by Valentine Spies to Jacob F. Bay on July 10, 1875. Mr. Bay was a blacksmith and wagonmaker. Mr. Bay sold the property to Louis Spies on July 21, 1885, who in turn sold the property to Jacob Schramm. Mr. Schramm ran a grocery, and also later a saloon, in the building.

John B. Eck bought the property from the heirs of Jacob Schramm in 1892. He had a living quarters and operated a saloon in the brick half, while the frame half was used for its original purpose of a warehouse. Mr. Eck operated the saloon until 1899. He sold the saloon equipment and leased the building to F. A. Reimann, who ran a saloon from 1900 to 1911.

In 1911, Mr. Eck started renting the building to Mr. and Mrs. William McAtee, who used the building to operate the Lowell House Hotel and Restaurant until 1920. It became one of the most popular eating places in the county. People came by boat, horse and buggy, streetcar, and a few automobiles to enjoy the feast provided by the Lowell House.

The corner room on the first floor which faced the canal was used as an office when William and Jewell McAtee operated the restaurant and hotel. Other rooms were used as the living room, kitchen, and dining room. One of the luxuries of the hotel was a bathroom with a zinc tub "built-in". The stairway leading to the second floor was located between the office and living room with a door leading to the outside. Five rooms upstairs were rented by the week, including meals, for $5 per week.

Three meals a day were prepared and placed on a long table. People later remembered there were always three kinds of meat with potatoes and all kinds of vegetables. Some recalled 13 side dishes surrounding their main plate of food. The meals were
only 35 cents.

When a new pipeline was being placed from Honesty to Bear Creek, the workers stayed at the hotel and had lunch pails backed by Mrs. McAtee. They recalled that no one could possibly eat the amount packed into the pail.

A long bench was placed beneath a huge tree on the canal bank at the front of the hotel where people gathered. Another attraction was a talking parrot, owned by the McAtees. People remembered the parrot as having sworn like a mule skinner.

The building withstood the 1913 flood. Only the rooftop of the hotel was above water. Debris lodged against the building and windows were broken, but the structure remained on its foundation. There were five brick structures located on the canal bank below the hotel. Two of these remained (they were later known as the Hartshorne and Brooker homes), but the homes of Howard Ward, Jerry Swain, and Bill Miller were washed away.

The building was used for residences from 1920 until 1960. Mr. Eck's daughter, Mrs. Cecil Chafant, inherited the property and sold it in August 1960 to Carl and Jean Augenstein. Mr. Augenstein had moved into the building with his parents, Arza and Edyth
Augenstein in 1938. The Augensteins wanted to buy the building then, but Mrs. Eck wouldn't sell it while she was alive, though she did promise them that they could buy it after she was gone.

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Augenstein lived in it until 1972. Standing right on the canal bank with but a few feet separating it from the water's edge, it was expected that all floods would creep into the building. Eventually, they took their toll. The outside wall began to buckle. The cost of repairs was prohibitive, so the building was torn down.

The yellow brick building stood on the bank of the Lowell Canal at the end of the canal bridge. At one time it was painted white on the outside, but age and pollution yellowed the bricks.

A two-story frame building was built on the front of this frame structure and was used to haul barrels of flour, sugar, beans, crackers, etc. to the second floor where it was stored for future use. At one time a barber shop occupied the first floor of the frame
building as well as a shoe shop. The shoe cobbler was a Mr. Young, father of F. F. Young.

A one story building was built on this lot by the Augensteins. Arza and Carl Augenstein had several businesses on this lot, including a pool hall, barbershop, and bait shop. The property is now home to Peoples Funeral Home.

WATER STREET

No address

Near the start of Water Street was the location of Rechsteiner Milling Company "The Lowell Mill". Beside that was the Rechsteiner Bros. Planing and Saw Mill.

The Lowell Mill was built by Truckson, Lyon, and Buck. Construction started in either 1840 or 1842 and was completed in 1844. Perez Barnum Buell, the founder of Lowell, donated the land in return for permanent right of way for a mill race from the canal,
through the island, to the Muskingum River.

The mill was 100 feet long by 42 feet wide, and three and a half stories high. It was built with huge timbers with rafters of four by fours, 22 feet long all in one piece. The sheathing boards were 24 inches wide of yellow poplar. It had four huge, flat stones, about 50 inches in diameter and a foot thick. The top of the top stone was cone
shaped. Grain poured in through the cone was ground as the top stone revolved against the lower one. Alva Born said "we had to sharpen the burrs, or cutting edges on the stones, three times a year by chipping them with a stone pick and a 'furry' hammer. It took two men two full days to do it."

The waters of the 1913 Flood were within three feet of the third story.

The Lowell Mill had its own popular brands of flour on the market. "Ahead-of-All" was their soft wheat flour, and the hard wheat flour was called "Blue Ribbon". Born said that "soft wheat makes the finest and best pastry, while hard wheat is much the better for
rolls, breads, etc. All purpose flour... is a blend of the two and is not the best for either type of baking."

Flour was packed in five, ten, twenty-five, and ninety-eight pound sacks for the bakery. They would grind 135 bushels of wheat a day and flour. Then, besides what farmer's feed they made, they would grind it up and make horse feed, cow feed, and chicken feed.

The Rechsteiner Brothers owned the mill for a number of years. In 1922, Alva Born moved to Lowell and went to work for the three brothers at the mill. About six years later, Born bought a one-third interest in the mill after the death of Charlie Rechsteiner, and later, came to own a half-interest in the mill with Harold Rechsteiner.

At 3 a.m., on March 10, 1948, a restless John Schwendeman walked to his window and looked across the valley towards Lowell. He immediately woke up his son Jerry.

The whole sleeping village of Lowell was aglow with flames leaping from the sills of the flour mill.

When Jerry saw the flames he got dressed and went over to see the fire. He assumed that it had been reported, but when he got there no one was around. He went to the telephone office and turned in the fire alarm.

Lowell Fire Chief Harold Augenstein responded promptly. By the time firemen arrived from Lowell and Beverly's Fire Departments, it was too late.

The east wall of the building collapsed, sending showers of sparks high in the air and endangering other buildings nearby. The blaze was so intense that it set fire to the roof of a home owned by Howard Brown, located about 500 feet from the mill.

The fire had gained such headway that the most the men could do was to save a garage owned by the mill and Rieker's Store. Marietta Fire Department was on standby.

Flames could be seen for miles around, attracting more than 1,000 onlookers. It was a windy day, and Lowell residents say that the wind coming out of the north was the only thing that saved the village.

A large safe in the mill's office on the second floor dropped to the floor below as the building was weakened by the fire.

Firemen, using chains, dragged the safe from the debris. The safe contained records and an undetermined amount of cash (some reports later said that there was no cash in the safe).

Huge dry timbers, the dust, bins of grain, and 200 barrels of flour kept the fire smoldering for six weeks before it was completely out.

Mrs. Alfred Tilton was living on a farm about 12 or 13 miles from the village when the mill burned. When she looked out her window she believed "that the whole end of the world was on fire." Charles and Marjorie Brown, who lived on top of a hill overlooking Lowell reported that the fire was so bright that it lit up the house, and that the heat from the fire could be felt at Schwendeman's Mill (approximately a fourth of a mile away). The loss was estimated at $50,000-$75,000, which didn't include 2,500 bushels of wheat, 2,000 bushels of oats, 400 bushels of corn, 35 barrels of flour, and several bushels of soybeans, which were selling for $4.75 a bushel at the time.

Not long after the fire, Born and Harold Rechsteiner built a grain elevator against the side of the old Lowell street car barn on Third Street and resumed the business. In 1960, the two partners retired and sold the mill to Keith Doak of Beverly and Walter Heiner of Marietta. They renamed it Pioneer Feed Mill and operated until 1966. The building was sold and used as a warehouse.

It was learned a couple of months after the fire, that a person passing through Lowell around Midnight the night of the fire, noticed lights in the mill and thought they were working late.

It was never determined what caused the fire, but Born and Rechsteiner believed that someone might have gotten into the mill. Born said that it was "cold, around 22 degrees that night, and we think someone must have taken shelter in the mill and some how set it on fire."

A sawmill formerly owned by Jacob Rietz and Son was located near the Lowell Flour Mill. The mill was bought from Jacob Rietz and Son by Alexander Cassell. It was sold to Rechsteiner Bros. about 1884, they owned it when it was destroyed by the 1913 flood.

After the 1913 flood, their sawmill business was moved to near the Railroad tracks. When they moved to their new location, Rechsteiner Bros. Co., became a partnership between Charles Rechsteiner, Edward Rechsteiner, Frank Spies, and John Schwendeman.

345

This is currently Buell's Landing vacation residence.

500 block

This is a parking area at the Lowell Dam.

STATE STREET

This is the Knights of Pythias Grand Lodge. This structure has previously been home to J. Trapp's General Merchandise; William Trapp's General Merchandise; Reicker Brothers General Store; and a dance hall.

This building was built in 1859. The Trapp Family operated a general store in this building under the names of "J. Trapp's General Merchandise" and "William Trapp's General
Merchandise" until 1895.

On July 2, 1895, the Knights of Pythias Lodge purchased the building from William Trapp. They have maintained their lodge on the second floor since then.

In 1895, two brothers, E. J. and Harry Riecker of Stockport, Ohio, took over the business. Ten years later, E. J. sold out his interest to another brother, Leonard. He then opened his own store in Beverly.

Leonard and Harry Riecker continued to run the store until Harry died, then Leonard operated the store by himself until November 1958.

Leonard Riecker once told that Riecker Brothers was the first store in the area to make a business of shipping produce by rail. "When we took over the store, there was a regular smokehouse in the rear, and we two brothers with the help of two clerks, butchered and cured meat for shipping."

Favorably situated on the Canal bank, Riecker Brothers had to only put out a gangplank to avail themselves of the steamboat transportation.

One of the largest handlers of produce in the area, chickens, eggs, all kinds of livestock, and fresh produce in season were wholesaled by Riecker Brothers who handled, and loaded, the merchandise from the store right onto boat decks for river shipment to large markets.

Leonard Riecker said that "part of the routine of the store was the making and assembling of barrels in which we packed apples and other things for shipment."

Staves, hoops, and heads were purchased by the car load and the barrels put together in the old Baker building which stood about where Harley Hughes had a garage for years.

Shipping apples from the hillside orchards in this area was big business 100 years ago.The store was a busy place and the center of a thriving trade both wholesale and retail. Hours were long, generally starting at sun-up. The day ended when the work was done.

Riecker Brother's Store was the first place in all of Adams Township to have a pump installed for which gasoline was sold to the three automobiles in Lowell in 1913. At that time, gas was hauled to Riecker Brother's from Marietta in barrels by a wagon and team.

Frequent floods of the Muskingum River added to their work, and subtracted from the stock of merchandise.

The worse was the 1913 flood, which pushed its waters to a depth of four feet on the second floor.

Merchandise had been piled on counters and high shelves in the mistaken confidence that it would be safe. All heavy hardware such as plows, discs, wagons, and other farm machinery was dragged out onto the old covered bridge. All this weight was supposed
to hold the bridge firm on its foundations. The racing river rose, and shoved its angry might against the bridge, pushing it from its foundations, washing it, and the hardware away.

The loss of merchandise was total and complete with no insurance to cover it. With the bridge gone, the village had to have a ferry. Leonard Reicker, despite his tremendous loss, was the first person in the village to hand out $100 towards getting a ferry.

Somehow, like the rest of the village, Reicker Brothers came back and reopened their store, thankful that the building was still standing. It was one of the very few on the Island that was not swept away.

Dances were held in the old store off and on after it closed, and it has also been used for storage.

The land that the building sits on is owned by the Ohio State Government. The building has had changes and alterations over the years. At one time, there was a three-story living quarters adjoining it in the rear.

STATE ROUTE 60

9340

This is Smith's Ironworks.

9950

This is currently Burkhart Trucking and Excavating. Previously it was home to the Englewood; and Harold's Club, owned by Harold Mullen.

10105

This is currently S. M. Miller Home Services. This building was previously the home of Hughes Furniture Store "The Treasure House", owned by Harley Hughes; and Oak wood Furniture, owned by Bob and Rhonda Huck.

10130

This is currently the R & K Wagner Farms stand. The concrete structure on this lot was previously used for Miller's Garage.

10200

This is currently the Dollar General. This lot was previously owned by the Stacy Family and was used for farming. The Lowell Grange sat just behind where the Dollar General is now located.

11000

This is currently Smitty's Pizza, owned by Josh and Justin Harris. This building was previously the location of:

Bowen and Geddes' Gulf Service Station, owned by W. V. Bowen and C. R. Geddes
Bowen's Service Station
Ray Pitt's Gulf Station
Jarrell's (SOhio) Service Station and Grocery, owned by Cecil and Willa Jarrell
Marty's, owned by Tom and Marty Nell
Deano's, owned first by Dean and Fran Batten, then Chuck and Sue Mahoney, and then Andy Mahoney
Down Home Diner, operated by Lisa and Dennis O'Neal
Rawhide Family Diner and Pizzeria, operated by Dianne Perine
Route 60 Grill, operated by Susan Isner, Donna Greer, and Lisa Garvin
El Palenque Mexican Restaurant

11002

This is currently the office of Triple I Trucking. It was previously the home of The Connection Day Spa, and A Touch of the Past.

11005

This is currently PCS Automotive & Performance. This was previously the location of Iddings Trucking, Inc. and Huck Bros. Truck Repair.

11006

This is the location of Triple I Trucking, owned by the Isner family.

11235

This is the location of Huck Bros.

11465

This building has been home to: Route 60 Auction House, an Antiques store, and the Avondale Tavern. The lot was also home to the first Englewood, owned by Harold and Laura Hill.

11561

This is the location of the Moose Lodge.

11569

This is garage for Triple I Trucking and Integrity Paving and Sealing.

11561 and 11565 was previously the home to Arnold's Tractor Sales, owned by Kevin Arnold. 11565 was previously home to McCarty Trucking, owned by Dave McCarty; and Gene Davis' Trucking.

12707

This is the location of Tornes Campground.

13480

This is the location of Stonehouse Campground.

RIVERVEIW LANE

214

This is a private residence and garage. This was home to Babcock Fence Company, owned by Michael Babcock.

LAUREL RIDGE ROAD

15

This is the location of Carol's Blueberry Patch.

95

This is the location of The Cottage on Laurel Ridge.

GREENLAWN LAN

10

This is the location of Worthington Produce.

135

This is the location of Greenlawn Cemetery.

LOWELL LOOP ROAD

No address

This is the location of Three Wooden Crosses.

200

This is home to Beardsley Auction Service LLC., owned by Ryan Beardsley. It was previously home to MAJ, Inc., owned by Mary Ann Janes.

BEARDSLEY ROAD

200

This is a private residence. It was home to Inner Beauty Herb Shop, owned by Tim and Linda Beardsley; and Linda's Beauty Salon, owned by Linda Beardsley.

LOWELL HILL ROAD

5001

This is the location of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and Cemetery.

5859

This is the location of J. A. Schwendeman & Sons, Inc. This was previously the second location of the Rechsteiner Bros. Saw and Planing Mill, owned by Charles Rechsteiner, Edward Rechsteiner, Frank Spies, and John Schwendeman.