1 Main Street
The first structure at 1 Main Street for which we have decent documentation is the Bernard Block, which according to the 1863 map included a boot and shoe shop, a milliner’s shop, and a dry goods and grocery store. D. Morris Kurtz briefly describes the building in his book “Past and Present: A Historical and Descriptive Sketch of Cortland, NY” (1883) as being three stories high in front with a sloping roof and only two stories in the rear. It was apparently one of the most prominent buildings in the village at the time, although rather stunted when compared to the building that replaced it. Aaron Sager had previously conducted a drug store business on the corner of Court and Main Streets, but after serving in the 76th regiment during the Civil War began a new enterprise in the Bernard Block. In 1872, having purchased the property, Mr. Sager and Mr. Dexter (of the neighboring Dexter House) rebuilt the entire corner making it a uniform three-story building. Sager had several partnerships over the years, and formed his co-partnership with Emmett Jennings (1850-1911) in 1876 as A.Sager & Co., changing the name to Sager & Jennings in 1881. Aaron Sager died in 1899 and was succeeded by his son Albert F. Sager as partner to Mr. Jennings. By 1914, Mr. Jennings had also passed away and the partnership was taken up by J. Arthur Hammond (1880-1952) to form Sager & Hammond. It’s at this time that the business is described as carrying everything from surgeons’ supplies, paints and oils, photo supplies, confectionary, cigars, and more! There was even an elaborate soda fountain where “only the best and purest drinks and fancy dishes are dispensed,” (Cortland Industrial and Commercial Review, 1914). Albert died in 1925, although the business appears to have carried the Sager name until 1930 when Mr. Hammond changed it to J.A. Hammond Drug Store.Another long-term business in the building around the same time was located on the second floor and was that of multi-generational dentists that included Hiram Ingalls (1820-1889), his son Cassius (1846-1922) and grandson Lloyd (1872-1947).In 1940, Dr. John Wattenberg purchased the Hammond-Ingalls block and replaced it with a more modern structure that still survives today. Originally, the second story was visible but covered by a false front in 1975. Over the years it continued housing drug stores under various names, and by 1970 contained the Dime Savings & Loan Association.
3-5 Main Street
Joshua Ballard is quoted in H.P. Smith’s “History of Cortland County” as saying: “The corner lot where stands the noble brick edifice of Major Aaron Sager and the Dexter House, was once occupied by a tavern building of ordinary size, owned by Grove Gillett, with whom Samuel Nelson, afterwards one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, took board for a time.” This seems to be a reference to an earlier building, perhaps latter replaced by the Barnard block seen in the earliest available photo of the spot in our collections.Later, Smith writes that “L. Dexter had a billiard saloon in an old two story wood building adjoining the Barnard block, in the second story of which was Henry Woodruff’s tailor shop.” It is possible that this building was in fact the same as Grove Gillet’s tavern. An advertisement for Lucian Dexter’s saloon indicates that they had a “fresh supply of oysters and clams…received daily by express. Also sardines, lobsters, pickled clams, tongues and feet.” It appears he took pride in the unique selection of delicacies made available at his establishment, which in its early days bore the name First National Restaurant and Saloon and is later referred to as the National Hotel.In 1872, Aaron Sager and Lucian Dexter rebuilt the entire corner making it a uniform three-story building. A Cortland Standard article from that time reported that the new building would be “an ornament to the street, and Mr. Dexter deserves credit for his enterprise. When reopened it will be second to no hotel in this section of the State,” (C.S. August 6, 1872). Credit of the building of the new structure was given to William Alvord who was present at the grand opening of the Dexter House in December of that year. “The tables were loaded with the choicest of viands, and the table linen and cutlery spotless in purity and burnish, and the guests did ample justice to the generous repast. After eating was no longer attractive, there was an active demand for speeches, but the responses seemed to be lacking,” the excuse for which was presented by Dr. Jewett “that it was well established by medical science that after such an indulgence of the stomach, it and the brain did not work in harmony,” (C.S. December 24, 1872).By 1880, the hotel underwent changes to open the ground floor for stores, which early on included the business of C. Van Alstine, a shoemaker. When Lucian moved away from the area, the Dexter House had several different proprietors over the years that included C.H. Warren, C.A. O’Brien and J.J. Comerford, as well as F.E. Mabie and son. It continued to be viewed as a first-class establishment. The Dexter House disappears from city directories by 1926 and was at the time replaced by The Market Basket and Sugar Bowl confectionary. Surprisingly, the Dexter House reappears in 1930 and then was gone for good by 1934.In 1936, the building was remodeled with a new four-story façade, and remodeled again by A. Louis in 1949. Rear additions were added in the 1960s. By the 1950s much of the building was rented out as apartments and many students resided there. Other businesses that appear in the block over the years included Diamond Taxi, Charles Hairdresser, and various dentists, physicians, and chiropractors.A fire in 1978 removed the third and fourth floors that contained mainly apartments and destroyed the interiors of A. Louis Men’s Store and George Bowker’s shoe store. By this point in time the building was referred to as the R.H.B. and A.T.&T. building. The fate of the structure seemed doomed for demolition, but as of today if you look down the alleyway to the right of the building you can still view some of the original brickwork of the old Dexter House building.
9 Main Street
The first known building on the spot that is now 9 Main Street was a wooden structure that shows up in the same photo depicting the corner of Main and Clinton that has been featured in past posts. The earliest I can trace the businesses back is to a gentleman names James Van Valen who came to Cortland from Madison County and kept a “cash and barter” store from 1845. An ad from 1849 shows it came under the ownership of Daniel Schermerhorn who advertised his takeover of Van Valen’s “old stand” with new a stock of dry goods, groceries, and hardware.In the 1860s-1880s, Daniel Bradford managed a book and drug store there.He was succeeded by Albert C. Carr, a merchant from Preble, who several years later was accused of fraud and grand larceny. Charles H. Price & Co. took over the spot in 1883 with his grocery store.In August of 1884, an article in the Cortland Democrat announced that C.H. Price had leased the lot located on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and N. Main Street and would be moving the building to continue his grocery business there. It remained as the oldest building on Main Street until it was brought down in the 1970s as part of the Neighborhood Development Program that remains controversial to this day. The removal of the old structure from no.9 would make way for a new brick building more suitable for a growing business district. This would become known as the Beard Building.When Randolph Beard started his furniture business around 1875 it was located on Groton Avenue. Nine years later his son Robert joined and it was known as R. Beard & Son. Around 1884, after the removal of the building at #9, Randolph put up the new Beard Building. It immediately met with some controversy as Margaret Dexter, present owner of the Dexter House, sued him for encroachment on the right of way that allowed her carriage access to the back of her building. While it was determined that Mrs. Dexter had the right to decree that Mr. Beard remove four and six-tenths feet of his new building, it appears there was ultimately a monetary settlement.Randolph’s stake in the business was bought out by N.J. Peck, and Beard & Peck operated for the next 14 years, adding undertaking to their services in 1891. Robert H. Beard would go on to independently continue the undertaking business, while Peck remained with Peck Furniture. Peck’s Furniture would change locations to Central Ave and be replaced at no.9 by B.E. Widger & Co. with hardware, furnaces, stoves, and plumbing.The Beard Building has remained relatively unchanged ever since, aside from the businesses in and out of it:1923- The Ashley Press; Matthew’s Store (apparel); Franklin Department Store1935- Johnson & Thorp, barbers; The Harper Shop, beauty parlor; Leadley Drug Co.1944- Con-O-Lite Corp; Kalos Beauty Shop; Marine Lounge, servicemen club room1955- Leslie L. Newman, chiropractor; Alpert’s, jewelers & opticians1965- Allen N. Dittman, beautician; The Jewel Box1975- McAllister TV1985- Montelone’s Pizzeria
11-15 Main Street
This location has the distinction of having had one of the last remaining family residences in Cortland’s business district! Believed to have been built in the 1830s, what is commonly known as the Keator House was torn down in 1937.But let us start at the beginning: The first owner that we can attribute to the home is Tercius Eels, a private in the War of 1812, Cortland’s Poor Master in 1831, and additionally active as postmaster, Whig leader, Town Clerk, and as a merchant.Eels sold to Oren Stimson, who served as County Clerk and kept a dry goods store.Harmon S. Conger bought of Stimson the house in 1851. Conger was a lawyer, politician, merchant, and editor of The Cortland County Whig and was involved in a scandal that will be covered more extensively in the history of 16 Main Street!Conger sold the residence to Mandelbert Canfield in 1855, and the next year Canfield sold to John L. Burst. “Then in 1857, Mr. Burst sold to Caroline Blodgett. There was romance somewhere or somehow, for on February 25, 1858, John L. Burst and Caroline A., his wife, sold to Mr. Keator, and that ended the chain of transfers until the property left the Keator family by the sale in 1936,” (Cortland Democrat, May 7, 1937).Thomas Keator moved with his family from Roxbury, NY to Cortland in 1854 and purchased the house in 1860. Mr. Keator was the first president of the First National Bank, a position in which he was succeeded by his son, Samuel, and later by another son, Edward Keator. His daughter, Mary K., married William F. Chadbourne who was a traveling salesman for New York silk importers, so the couple spent much of their time in New York City. In 1890, after William’s retirement the Chadbourne’s moved into Mary’s family home, where she remained until her death in 1936. The old house was demolished on March 4, 1937.Construction on the new W.T. Grant building was funded by Boston investor Hyman E. Cline for $65,000. The W.T. Grant “5-and-10” chain had a long-term lease until the early 60s when the store moved to the Groton Avenue Shopping Center.The structure is an example of the one-story commercial architecture that became popular in the 1920s and 30s with the widespread use of the automobile. Instead of shops, offices, and apartments above stores in one central downtown location serviced by mass transit (trolleys) or easily reached on foot, cities now spread out as people came to depend on the car. The one-story commercial building, like the one-story suburban house, became fashionable.Other businesses showing up in city directories:1965- Good Friends ladies’ clothing1970- Rite-Aid Health Center1975- Love of Pete gift shop; Barbara Moss clothing storeAlso, the Hallmark store.The building is now part of the McNeil campus, and the façade most recently underwent renovations in 2017.
17-21 Main Street
As we continue our historical tour down Cortland’s Main Street, we come next to the Garrison block, a stately structure encompassing numbers 17-21.The earliest description I can find for this location speaks of a long, low white building where Tercius Eels (1790-1868), a merchant, kept his store and office. You may recall from two posts back that this is the same gentleman upon whom we can bestow the honor of first resident of the Keator House that was located next door. In fact, just as the house was transferred from Tercius Eels to Oren Stimson, the store too changed hands between the same two men. It seemed to be a convenient arrangement to own the home and business side-by-side!We unfortunately do not have any images of this early structure, although an advertisement from 1853 describes the store that had just undergone enlargement and repairs under the ownership of J.A. Graham & Co.: “The large bow-windows and folding doors in front, filled, as the windows are, with a variety of goods, look extremely inviting, and the counters on which articles of merchandise are displayed by the gentlemanly and obliging clerks is so handsomely finished.”The Garrison name first enters the scene in 1862 when Abner Garrison (1800-1876) purchased the lot. At this time, one of Abner’s sons, Levitt D. Garrison (1837-1916) was engaged in a grocery and crockery business with Charles W. Collins for a couple of years until they split in 1865. Collins continued his establishment in the Garrison block location into the 1870s, perhaps right up until a new structure was erected in 1877. The ownership of the block had by that time been transferred from Abner Garrison to another son, Charles H. Garrison (1823-1900), who was president of the Cortland and Homer Horse Railroad (think horse-drawn trolley!).Charles’ brother, Levitt, moved his grocery business into the new block, but I had some trouble getting the exact location straight since I saw an article stating that he had decided in 1878 to move into the north store (what is number 17 today) and yet everything else I saw placed him in the south store!Fortunately, I stumbled upon this fun correction in the Cortland Standard:“L. D. Garrison is having a hard time of it at the hands of the newspapers. The Democrat a few weeks since assigned him to the store lately occupied by H. H. Pudney, and last week The Standard, through somebody's blundering, gave him the north store in the new Garrison block, and put Tanner Bros, in the south one. By transposing the words north and south the truth will be arrived at, and Garrison will have peace.”Thus, in 1878 we can place L.D. Garrison in no.21, and Tanner Bros. dry goods in no.17. In 1884, a fire started in a covered entrance in the rear of the neighboring Wickwire block and destroyed that building together with the Garrison block. When Garrison’s was rebuilt, it very nearly matched its predecessor except for some small differences: the arches above the windows today feature light-colored stone with dark keystones, but the original block had arches and keystones in a matching color. Additionally, the previous structure had belt courses separating the floors that were made of cut stone from the Split-Rock quarry near Syracuse, while the rebuilt block did not replicate this feature.The arrangement of having a dry goods/clothing store on the left and a grocery store on the right under various proprietors was maintained until about 1900 when Mrs. Darby-Turner’s business in no.17 that included clothing, theatrical wigs, head dresses, manicuring, and facial massage moved upstairs to make room for Palace Confectionery Co., operated by Peter and James Zaharis. An image from 1914 demonstrates the luxury of this establishment, equipped with a counter of Italian marble, onyx fountain with silver fittings, and mural depicting a fox hunt.The upstairs of the block, accessed by a set a stairs that ran up between the two businesses, contained offices used at one time by the City Clerk, City Chamberlain, lawyers, real estate agents, tailors, furriers, and more! When F. W. Woolworth first leased the building in the 1920s, the original center stairway to the second floor was replaced with a south stairway. The Knights of Columbus had their club rooms upstairs around this time.In 1957, the building was purchased by McNeil Music. At the time, a sign was still visible on the upper north wall that read “L.D. Garrison, Fancy Groceries and Provisions.” This block that was built, burned, and built up again has been beautifully maintained, L.D. Garrison sign and all, as part of the McNeil campus.
23-29 Main Street
This spot began as a residence with a neighboring store. I unfortunately had trouble determining when exactly the original house and store were built and by whom, but the land has connection to Tercius Eels and later Oren Stimson who were the early owners of what became known as the Keator or Chadbourne house at 11-15 Main Street (already covered in a previous post). Perhaps it was the John Rose family that built the house when they purchased the lot in 1846. John Rose sold hats out of the neighboring store, while Mrs. Emeline J. Rose operated a millinery in the house. Mr. Rose died in 1858 but Emeline remained in the residence until she sold the property to James Suggett and Charles Foster who proposed to remove the house to erect a block of buildings.It is likely this new block that brothers Chester F. Wickwire and Chauncey J. Wickwire, operating as C.F. Wickwire & Co., moved their hardware business into from their previous location at 16 Main. According to Chester’s obituary published in the Cortland Standard on 9/14/1910: “Soon after that an old loom came into their possession, having been taken in some way in the course of trade. Chester Wickwire, who was possessed of a very exceptional mechanical and inventive mind, began examining the loom, which had been considered as so much junk, and fixed it up to see what it would do. He conceived the idea of its weaving wire into cloth for screens and other purposes and worked upon it till it would operate perfectly. In 1873 the firm began the manufacture of wire cloth and wire goods in a little building in the rear of their store. The business increased and the factory was constantly added to till it occupied all the available open space within that square.”In 1876, H.M. Kellogg and Frank Place took over the hardware business together in the storefront the Wickwire Bros. had recently vacated to focus on the manufacturing of their wire goods. Place left the partnership in 1879. Kellogg would remain nearly in the same spot almost exclusively until 1902, with the exception of a short period following the fire previously mentioned as the one that destroyed the Garrison Block.Of the February 20th, 1884 fire the newspapers said this:“Early Wednesday morning the village of Cortland was visited by a second disastrous conflagration which for a long time threatened to lay in ruins the entire square bounded by Main street, Clinton avenue, South Church and East Court streets. The flames when first discovered, about 1 a. m., were issuing from the east end of the Wickwire block, having the appearance of originating in the hallway in the rear of said block. In this block was the hardware store of H. M. Kellogg, the grocery of Kirkland Bros., on the first floor. On the second floor was Thomas Button's barber shop; L. T. White's dental rooms and the tin shop of H. M. Kellogg. The third story was used as a store room by the Messrs. Wickwire Brothers.”Ultimately, the whole of the Wickwire building was destroyed along with the Garrison and Union blocks, but a rainstorm and the hard work of the Cortland and Homer fire departments ensured most other buildings in the section were spared.The Wickwire building was rebuilt from plans designed and drawn up by Chester Wickwire. The new structure boasted of four stories, 46 feet wide, 100 feet deep. There was an iron front for the first story and the rest in Philadelphia pressed brick, and iron girders at the front and back with iron posts all throughout. Decorations included a massive cornice of wood or stamped metal with a flower and pine tree motif as well as diamond-shaped terra cotta panels above and between the windows.Around 1887, Edwin Robbins took over the narrow space at no.23, once the alleyway between the Garrison and Wickwire blocks, to operate a tobacco store which remained in the same spot until 1940. The business had been sold out to a nephew, Charles Wood, in 1926.The first floor of no.25 continued to be used by H.M. Kellogg as a hardware store offering stoves, furnaces, plumbing, and more until F.W. Woolworth & Co. took over the spot in 1910. Mason B. Ingalls, a dentist, kept his office on the second floor.It would seem no.27 referred to the top floors that were rented out as apartments and offices to no small number of people and businesses over the years. City directories are a great resource for seeing just who came and went and are available in the CCHS research center for the curious-minded.McGraw & Osgood sold boots and shoes out of no.29. Around 1902, the partnership changed to a drug store business under the proprietorship of McGraw & Elliott where they remained until the S.S. Kresge Company, which ran a chain of 5-and-10-cent stores, leased the block and McGraw & Elliot moved to the Taylor Block. The first two floors and basement underwent extensive renovations at this time, and in 1940 Kresge took over no.23, where Robbins Tobacco Co. was still located, for additional counterspace. At the same time, the installation of a new 18-stool lunch counter would occur on the south side to replace the one on the north side to be removed upon enlargement.In 1964, Krege opened up a Jupiter discount store and six years later brothers John and Daniel McNeil purchased the block. Rite Aid went into the block in 1972, and in 1978 Dan McNeil announced plans to renovate the lately neglected upper floors and convert them into rental space available for non-profit organizations. At that time, The Arts Council as well as the Cortland County Community Action Program (CAPCO) were slated to be housed in the new center. The Villager article detailing these plans also provided some descriptions of the interior including carved woodwork on the stairways, doors, and windows, a dusty glass door on the third floor reading “Cortland Home Telephone Co,” an old cast iron stove, and a piano tipped on its side. There was even graffiti revealed under the peeling wallpaper including a note left by “H. Timmerman, stock room manager…Jany.9-1929.”Once renovations were completed, Dan McNeil is quoted as saying, “That building was very well designed. It now complies with all state codes, and that is sort of a miracle, considering the age of the building.” (Cortland Standard 5/31/1979).Most original partitions were retained as was the plaster, the solid cherry woodwork, and all 59 distinctively shaped windows.
31-33 Main Street
As we approach Central Avenue, we are taking a look at 31-33 Main Street which has over the years been referred to as the Union Hall block, the Collins block, and the Burgess block. But its beginnings are believed to stretch back to about 1815 when Obadiah Boies presumably built his dwelling in that location. We are lucky enough this time to be able to include a story from when his house was being erected that includes a bit of drama:Nathan Luce and his crew were conducting the joinery work, building up the frame of the new home. Luce struck up a contract with John Dyer to do lathwork for $13, agreeing that the work was to be done on one room alone once it was ready in about two weeks time. Dyer appeared on the appointed day to commence the lathwork, at which time he insisted that the contract was to complete the entirety of the home, so therefore Luce and his crew should clear out. Luce argued with Dyer, accusing him of a “wilful [sic] and corrupt falsehood,” but the gentlemen were able to reach an agreement where Dyer would be able to come back the next day to do the work on the bottom portion of the house, then do the rest the following week.Luce and his men worked into the night to ensure the bottom story was completed, and Dyer came the next day and started putting up the lath. Upon nightfall, Dyer declared to Obadiah Boies that he would do no more on the job. It would seem Dyer had realized he somehow agreed to doing the lathwork for the whole house for the price of doing one room! Luce, who was writing up his account of events for publishing in the Cortland Republican, states that he would expect an honest man would complete the work and simply ensure he takes better contracts in the future. But it does seem rather dishonest of Luce that he should allow the discrepancy to occur.Nonetheless, the house must have been completed but perhaps didn’t remain in use as a residence for very long. By 1830, there is reference to Canfield Marsh taking over as postmaster, and “keeping the office in his store in the old wooden building which stood on the present site of the Union Hall block.”From this point it was actually very difficult to trace ownership and use of whatever structure or structures were present at this location, so must unfortunately leave several decades blank for now. What is known is that Samuel E. Welch (1820-1900) purchased the lot in 1853 where he conducted a dry goods store. In 1869, in partnership with J. Rose of the neighboring store on the north, Welch erected the Union Hall block, with Mr. T. Allport as architect. Upon its opening, the following businesses and offices took up residence: Ford & Freeman, insurance agents; J.S. Barber and B.A. Benedict, lawyers; William Winters and John Ryan, saloon; Mrs. Clearwood, millinery. Also, Pomeroy’s music store, an auction house, and of course S.E. Welch & Co., dry goods. The Union hall located on the third floor was the setting for various lectures, musical and theatrical performances, and other society functions.In 1884, the same fire that destroyed the Wickwire and Garrison buildings also took out the Union Hall block. New business blocks were quickly rebuilt, and in 1887 Charles W. Collins purchased the Rose interest while Archie S. Burgess & D.H. Bingham removed from the Garrison block and leased out Welch’s spot at 33. Collins, who had previously been partnered with L.D. Garrison, operated a china store out of 31 Main Street from 1877 until 1900, the spot later taken over by F.A. Hall Co.’s Five & Dime store in 1904.In 1893, Bingham retired from his partnership with Burgess, and just five years later the business was expanded so that by 1910 Burgess Clothing was considered to be the largest such establishment in this section of the state. Descriptions indicate the store encompassed over 4500 square feet, and in 1914 glass cases were installed, “a radical departure from the old system of showing clothes.” These cases were the first of their kind to be installed in Cortland, and allowed customers to view goods and only bother a salesman when he was ready to buy.The glass cases were not the only innovation that Burgess employed; the business was noted for its use of the new advertising techniques developed around the turn of the century, and painted a 4-story high billboard on the Central Avenue side of the building. Even today there are barns in the area that still bear the familiar white on black “Burgess Clothing, Cortland” sign, continuing to advertise this long-gone business.Another fire in February of 1915 destroyed the top two floors of both the Collins and Burgess blocks, and the front part of the Burgess Block- the original S.E. Welch store- was torn down and a modern steel and brick business block was erected that corresponded with the rear addition that had been added on in the 1890s.In 1919, there was mention of a Citizens’ club that had an athletic arena with raised seating offering some 300 spectators the opportunity to view wrestling matches. In the following year, on the third floor of the Collins block was the Cortland Amusement Parlor bowling alleys, that replaced the Idle Hour billiard hall there previously. Through the 1920s the J.G. McCrory Co. variety store occupied the first floor of the Collins block, until the spot underwent renovations for use by the Home Dairy Co. in 1930. The Home Dairy remained in business at that location until 1976.The following year, Burgess Clothing too sold its Main Street store and then in 1981 went out of business, closing the Cortlandville Mall store that had opened in 1971.Our city directories only go up to 1986, and in that year we find Nordic Sports in 31, as well as Lewin Edith Real Estate in 33 with Johnnie’s Barber Shop upstairs. There were also plenty of students and renters housed in the upstairs apartments.Google Maps affords us a glimpse into the past, and in 2009 we can see that the spot now occupied by New York Bagel was once Mando Books, and more recently Finger Lakes Tasting and Tap Room next door was replaced by Bernard’s.Looking at the spot now, it can be hard to picture just how much has gone on in that location, even if not in the exact same building. From a residence to dry goods store, clothing stores, a social and performance space, a sports arena, bowling alley…and plenty more!
Central Avenue & 35 Main Street
Before the formation of Central Avenue, formerly called Railroad Street, a building stood on Main Street at what would become the street entrance.The first structure we can date there is from 1841 which is the earliest a business there appears under the auspice of J.C. Pomeroy & Co., dealing in dry goods as the “Cortland Exchange” in the “new white building one door north of Wm. Elder.”James C. Pomeroy had previously been in business with William Elder in the building next door, at the location of modern-day 35 Main Street, but partnered with H.P. Goodrich and William E. Taylor to form this new venture. Taylor left the business in 1842, then Goodrich too split from Pomeroy in 1843.In the meantime, next door at #35, William Elder had partnered with his son-in-law Lemuel S. Pomeroy (James’ brother) in producing and selling boots and shoes, but in 1843 Elder’s share was bought out by J.G. Northrup. “For several years, Northrup was at work in his spare time upon a model of some machine which he kept in the work room of the shoe shop. It was a mystery to his friends what it was, and he didn’t tell. Mr., Elder used to joke him about his “pancake turner,” but the scheme proved a success and Mr. Northrup made a great deal of money out of the new power printing press which succeeded the hand presses mostly in use,” (Cortland Standard, 12/19/1905). In January of 1844, H.P. Goodrich took over the store of Pomeroy & Northrup. Tracing all this exchanging of business proved rather dizzying, especially with two Pomeroy’s in play!In September 1845, J.W. Sturtevant & E.H. Doud took up business in “the old Pomeroy stand,” keeping at first to the “Cortland Exchange” name. They remain in the spot until the businesses swap around once again, with the boot and shoe business taking over Sturtevant and Douds location under the auspices of William Fisk & J.B. Horton, while Sturtevant, Doud & Co. (including Emmet A. Fish) shift next door to #35. Sturtevant, Doud & Co. “was favorably known throughout the county and was one of the most successful and honorable [businesses] in the history of Cortland. In 1869 Mr. Doud retired and his place was taken by Calvin P. Walrad, the firm name being changed to Sturtevant, Fish & Co. It remained thus until February 1871 when Mr. Sturtevant retired,” (“History of Cortland County,” H.P. Smith) and the business simply became Fish & Walrad. Here they remained until 1879 when they move to the new Schermerhorn block, succeeded in the old spot by a saloon.Back next door, Fisk was conducting the boot & shoe business alone in 1863 until Dickinson & McGraw took over. They remain in the same location for two decades, with other businesses coming and going in the upper floors. In one photo we see indications of a harness maker in the building, as well as the sewing machine sale and repair business of M.L. Decker. In March of 1884, the Wickwire Bros., who at that time were still manufacturing on Main Street, negotiated with owners of the land for the opening of the street from Main to Church Street which would enable easier access to the railroad. While the project faced opposition, it moved forward so that in August Dickinson & McGraw moved into the Wickwire block and their old structure was demolished.In the remaining building at no.35, the spot was taken over by the Women’s Temperance Christian Union, with other rooms utilized by a photographer and barber. The photography studio was first operated by G.I. Page, then came under the ownership of G.I. Pruden and Lyman Jones under the name “Evans’ Branch Gallery.” The spot was taken over next by C.H. Overton, succeeded by J.W. Mason and G.E. York, then by G.E. Butler.The ground level was used by various businesses including:J.E. Briggs & F.J. Peck - fancy goods, succeeded by G.H. Ames & Co. (1893-1899), then Walters Shoe Store.In 1915, growth of the city and of the National Bank (then located at the northeast corner of Main and Court Streets) prompted construction of a new building. The old business block at no.35 that had stood for about 75 years was taken down and the handsome new Classical-Revival style bank was erected in its place out of Indiana limestone. On December 29, 1936 the National Bank merged with the 2nd National Bank (69 Main Street) to form the First National Bank of Cortland, and in 1938 the building was enlarged and renovated. Once the First National moved to the site on the southeast corner of Main and Court Streets (now NBT bank) in 1957, the bank was used by Stauber Drugs, then in the 1970s as a nightclub, and United Way used it starting in the 1980s.Most recently, the building once again underwent renovations to become The Vault: Grand Venue on Main.
37-39 Main Street
In 1843, Isaac M. Seaman began a grocery and meat business, described as the only one of its kind in the village at the time. He afterward partnered with Leavitt Cudworth until 1847. The mantle was taken up by B.K. Aldrich, followed by G.N. Copeland. In 1852, David C. Cloyes bought out Mr. Copeland and continued the business until 1878. From this point, the building starts to be referred to as the Cloyes block.Cloyes partnered with several others over the years, including a Mr. Todd, L.D. Garrison, H.M. Kellogg, and W.B. Stoppard. Cloyes and Stoppard dissolved their partnership in 1878 and it appears Stoppard carried on the grocery business while Cloyes pursued a new venture with Benjamin Smith as a partner in the manufacturing of brooms.We obtain a proper look at the layout of the building from the 1884 Sanborn map that shows no. 37, exclusively operating as a grocery until 1892, is at least twice as long and wide as the storefront at no.39. The smaller space was used at various periods as a cigar store, coal office, boots & shoe store, and brothers Antonio and Bartolo Natoli operated a fruit stand out of it for over twenty years, first appearing there as early as 1899.Back next door, Stoppard sold the grocery business to L.D. Meacham in 1892, and he managed Stowell’s Great Bargain House variety store there. M.W. Giles became half-owner in 1895, then bought out his partner in 1900. Giles remained until 1914, when the Cortland Standard reported the sale to E.H. Medes and Miss Helen D. Cowan:“E. H. Medes is well known in Cortland and vicinity, having conducted a grocery store here for fifteen years. He Is at present located at 11 Court-St. He will close out his present store and devote his entire time to the new business. Miss H.D. Cowan is a thorough going business woman of this city with considerable experience in various business enterprises. She will give much of her time to the office work of the new store. The new firm will be known as the Cowan-Medes Co. and will conduct the store along the same lines as it has been conducted by Mr. Giles.”The partnership was short-lived and the business handed off to the Directoyu Company.Wiltsie’s Department Store began in 1903 at 2 Main Street when Mr. G.H. Wiltsie of Burlington, Vermont bought the former Shepard’s dry goods store at that address. Wiltsie’s became the city’s top-quality local department store, and in 1923 purchased the Cloyes block which at the time was considered one of the oldest business blocks on Main Street.This structure was demolished, however, to make way for the structure that stands today, described upon completion as follows:“The store is 143 feet in length and has a floor space of 18,000 feet. Two large sky lights, one 20x26 feet, and J the other 6x60 feet afford excellent daylight in the store. A beautiful wide stairway leads to the second floor where rest rooms, a coat room, an alteration room, and a spacious stockroom are located. In viewing the store one can tell at a glance that Mr. Wiltsie has carefully considered every minute detail for the beautification of the interior as well as for making it a place where those who buy will be accorded every convenience.”The original façade was of buff-colored brick with stone Classical Revival trim, leaded glass, and a semi-circular recessed entry.Another unique feature in the building was that there was access to Sarvay’s shoe store at 13-15 Central Avenue via the rear of the store, so one might conveniently go for a pair of shoes to match the new outfit they purchased at Wiltsie’s!Renovations took place in 1958, when the stairway was relocated from the center of the main floor to the north side. The office was moved from a mezzanine to the second floor of the Sarvay block. The main floor was outfitted in pastel shades with colorful tile, an acoustical tile ceiling and new, recessed fluorescent lights.On Aug. 31, 1973, following construction of the suburban, enclosed Cortlandville Mall with a Chappell’s Dept. Store, Wiltsie’s closed its doors. The consequences of suburban sprawl was underway, drawing business away from Main Street to the new shopping centers located on the outskirts of the city.Two years later, the Mini-Mall opened up with a quote in the newspapers claiming hopefully that “This is what people need to get them downtown.” The mall could accommodate 20 tenants on the first floor and basement, with office space upstairs. Businesses included: Gentlemen Quarters (barber), Tucci Bakery, Sweet Elissa Ladies Boutique, Coin Shop, Our House, Mother Courage, Record People, Cheese Shop, Paperback Exchange, Craft Shop, Mini Coiffure, Stitch in Time, Joyce Groom, and Greek Jewelry Shop.In 1983, the Cortland Standard reported that the Center City Mall was “experiencing something of a renaissance, having twice as many businesses rented as a year ago.” It was noted how attractive the Mall was, “with its cedar wall trim and handmade drapes. But the atmosphere [went] beyond that, to the point that store owners [treated] each other like family.”At a later time, the name was changed to The Beach House Mall.Most recently, McNeil Development Co. obtained the building and has plans to remove the front added on in the 1970s, return it as close to its original appearance as much as possible, and renovate the interior.
41 Main Street
41 Main Street is a small structure, but if we got our history right its bones are made up of one of the oldest buildings that remain on Main Street!In 1860, brothers Isaac and Martin Edgcomb purchased the lot south of Cloyes and Garrison’s grocery to move their harness business there. Presumably, this is when the location first became occupied by a building, although we remain somewhat unsure given how the area is presented in maps. Sometimes it appears that the neighboring buildings must have been to close to allow for any kind of building to be put there, and other maps make it seem as if there once was entirely too much space between buildings for them to come anywhere close to representing how they appear today. So, we leave some room to revise my claims should more information come across our desk to dispute my current understanding that in 1860 a wooden structure was built to house the Edgcomb harness and saddle business, and that this original structure makes up the bones of the building still standing there now.Martin Edgcomb sold out his interest to Isaac in April of 1886, and “started for Plainfield, Dakota, where he [had] a brother, with a view to locating there if he [liked] the country and climate.” We must assume he didn’t like it much since he died and is buried in Cortland!Isaac continued in the business and was described in the Cortland Standard as follows:“Prominent among the leading industries of Cortland is the establishment of Isaac Edgcomb, situated at 41 Main-St., where is carried the most complete stock of harnesses, robes, blankets, etc., which include all the latest shades and patterns direct from the leading factories. Also is carried in stock a most comprehensive assortment of trunks, steamer and railroad valises, telescopes, the English Gladstone and other varieties too numerous to mention, and which have to be seen to be appreciated, and besides should you wish a trunk made to order or have it finished inside to suit your taste you can do so here. This house was founded about 25 years ago [actually more than 30 years ago] and has been a decided success from the start. The proprietor, Mr. Edgcomb, is thoroughly conversant with all the details of this business and customers obtain advantages here that cannot be easily duplicated elsewhere. Mr. Isaac Edgcomb is held in the highest estimation in commercial life for his many sterling qualities and strict integrity and justly merits the success attained by his ability, energy and perseverance.”Isaac appears to have at some point partnered up with J.L. Marritt and either shifted to or added onto the original business by selling boots and shoes. This carried on until 1898 when W. G. Mead bought the block, made a number of improvements in the place and started his jewelry store there.The following year, the Cortland Standard reported that Mead was making improvements in the rear rooms with paint and paper. “One of them is used by S.N. Holden as his coal office and as general headquarters of the village presidents, and the other is used by Mr. Mead as the work room for his jewelry and watch repair department. George Peters is doing the work and doing it well.” A bit of excitement occurred on November 2nd of 1900:“Yesterday afternoon at about 5 o'clock a fire broke out in the basement of W.G. Mead's jewelry store, 41 Main-St., that might have done considerable damage had it not been for a bottle of ammonia that happened to be near the flames, the heat of which burst the container and the gas acted as a self preventive. In the basement of his block, Mr. Mead keeps a lathe polisher, and on this a lamp was kept burning through the day. It is thought that the chimney of the lamp burst and that the particles that had been thrown off from the polisher and lodged on the burner began to burn and so exploded the oil retainer of the lamp. The flames from this soon spread to a board partition near the lathe, and by the looks of things about there, were having a free for all race, when a bottle of very strong ammonia, that was used in polishing, exploded and the gas put a sudden damper on the flames. A dense cloud of smoke resulted from this and filled the store above. When Mr. Mead went down stairs there was but little fire left and a tumbler of water finished the ammonia' s work. In the same block as Mr. Mead, are the offices of S. N. Holden and John W. Cudworth (optician) and the art studio of E. H. Hyatt (photographer). That bottle of ammonia did good work in saving all of these from the possibilities of loss by fire and the sure damage by water that must have been turned upon them but for its presence alongside of the lamp on that polishing lathe.”The coal business of Samuel N. Holden was bought out by H.W. Chaplin & H.L. Peckham in 1902. The firm also handled wood, mill feeds, grain of all kinds, shingles, roofing, fertilizers and cement, with their yards located on Squires Street. J.W. Morgan bought out Peckham’s share sometime around 1912.In 1907, Berdell T. Jones purchased Mead’s jewelry business and stayed in no.41 until relocating to 55 Main Street sometime prior to 1921.This spot became home to a couple of shoe stores (Family Shoe Store, then Bull’s Boot Shop), then in 1922 Charles D. Sanders set up his cigar shop there and remained until his retirement in 1938. This same year, George Carbulon purchased the block and presumably conducted exterior renovations. “G.Carbulon” remains etched in the stone at the top of the brick façade.Highlights of some interim years include the following:1938- Good Friend Shop, ladies’ clothing1942- George Carbulon (not living locally) donates use of the second floor for a war bond office.1955- Freeman’s Jewelry1965- The Singer Co.; Nahra Hage (tailor) upstairs1985- Marsen Security Co.; Place Insurance; Hage Tailor Shop1996 marks the year that Pita Gourmet opened, started by Cy and Nassima Karam, who in an interview to the Cortland Standard talked of their story of escaping war-torn Lebanon to eventually fall in love with and settle in Cortland. The restaurant continues under the ownership of their son Charbel and his wife Hana Karam. They renovated the interior in 2009, work that included a new floor and ceiling, furniture, kitchen equipment, and wallpaper depicting a landscape in Lebanon. In 2010, Pita Gourmet earned the “Best Falafel in CNY” status in an online poll.
43-49 Main Street
Glimpse above the third-story windows of the building at 43-49 Main Street and you’ll find a stone marking it as the J.J. Newberry Building. Indeed, Newberry’s occupied the structure for sixty-five years from 1927-1992. But, built in 1879, it was initially known as the Schermerhorn building, later called the A.M. Collins block.Prior to the block’s construction, it appears that there were two separate frame structures on the lot, one serving as James A. Schermerhorn’s law office, and the other housing various businesses. These include the drug store of Aaron Sager from 1857-1861, and a shoe business owned by a revolving door of partnerships (Fitzgerald & Ferguson or Fitzgerald & Rice (1867-1868); Fitzgerald, Rice & Purdy circa 1868; C. Van Alstine & Henry Purdy between 1869-1873; Rice & Hale between 1874-1876; then Van Alstine alone during 1876-1879).James Adams Schermerhorn was born at Schenectady in 1816. His parents were Abram M. Schermerhorn and Mary Kent Adams. His father established the "Bank of Rochester" and the "Bank of Monroe", was Mayor of Rochester, Member of the State Legislature and Representative in Congress. J.A. Schermerhorn came to Cortland in 1841, and in 1847 was admitted to the bar and opened an office on the site where the larger block bearing his name would be erected. He did not enter extensively into the practice of the law, however; and subsequently spent but a small portion of his time in Cortland. Being a gentleman of wealth, he lived in retirement, in his early years traveling extensively both in Europe and America, and latterly residing in his beautiful home at Glen Haven. He engaged in various enterprises over the years, including a partnership in a grocery, as well as in a harness-making businesses, and served as vice president upon the founding of the National Bank of Cortland. J.A. Schermerhorn died in 1879, the same year in which the new block was built.The Cortland Standard reported that “there have been rumors for some time past that Mr. J.A. Schermerhorn intended to erect a new building on Main St. adjoining the brick block now owned by him (likely National Bank of Cortland building on the corner of Main and Court Streets), but it was not till last Friday that the matter was finally decided by his signing a contract with Mr. Luke Holton, who is to do the work. The plans for the new building were drawn by Mr. Horace N. White, of Syracuse. It was to be 66 feet front, the south two-thirds 66 feet deep, and the north third 72 feet deep. It will be three stories high, and the front will stand eight feet higher than the brick block adjoining. The front will be of Syracuse pressed brick, with cut stone trimmings and galvanized iron cornice, and the sides and rear of ordinary brick. The ground floor will be divided into three stores, and a hall and stairway leading to the second story. The second story will comprise five suites of offices, and a carpet room connecting with the north store. The third story it is now intended to finish off in one large room, though it may be subdivided if there is a call for it…next to the Garrison block and the County Clerk’s Office it will be the handsomest business structure in Cortland,”(April 10, 1879). At that time, Mr. C. Van Alstine moved his boot and shore store from the old store being about to be torn down to make way for the new Schermerhorn block. The new building gets described as a medieval-castle-like structure, with an architectural style stems from the eclecticism of the late Victorian period.The north store was to be occupied by Fish & Walrad (dry goods) and the south store by Warren & Tanner (dress goods), with occupation of the center store not yet settled. The second floor was dedicated to office space, and the third floor was a hall. In 1882, the YMCA moved from Taylor Hall to Schermerhorn block, occupying the entire third floor with a parlor, gymnasium, reading room, and prayer room. Later, the I.O.O.F. used it as their John L. Lewis Lodge rooms until 1922.Of course, a Main Street building could hardly ever seem to escape from the threat of fire. On one night in January of 1897 “Officer S.N. Gooding was passing through the alley at the rear of the Schermerhorn block, when he heard a crackling noise. He looked all around, but could not discover anything and went around on Main-St. when he saw smoke issuing from the clothing store of Bingham Brothers & Miller. He hastened to the night café of B.H. Bosworth and called for help to locate the fire. Mr. Bosworth went across the street and saw that the dry goods store of G.J. Miller was also filled with smoke. He returned to the engine house, where he pulled box 333 and then rung in a general alarm. The department was quickly on the scene and the Water Witch company secured first water.” They eventually figured the fire’s origin to be in the cellar and directed a stream into the cellar from the front and back. “The inestimable value of the ball nozzle, the special property of Orris Hose, was shown at this time for Messrs. Charles Morris and Charles Griffith…entered the cellar from the rear with a spray issuing from this nozzle and worked their way to the front of the cellar, putting out all the fire there, and practically saving the building from almost total destruction.” (Cortland Standard). This same article mentions fires in 1893 and 1894, along with a theory of a possible burglar being the cause of the 1897 fire.In 1921, Harry Millman and his brother-in-law Zelig Solomon bought the block, then occupied by Model clothing store, Sanders’ cigar store, and The Vogue. Shortly after, A.M. Collins purchased it and conducted renovations that included a fireproof stair, elevator, and upper floor remodeling according to plans by local architect Carl W. Clark.In 1925, the Harry B. Tanner began an insurance agency in 45 Main Street. The Tanner-Ibbotson corporation formed in 1938 and stayed in the same location until 1963 when they removed to 97-103 N Main Street. Faded remnants of painted advertising for Tanner-Ibbotson may still be visible on the top of the sides of the Newberry Building.J.J. Newberry bought the block in 1927 and planned a 1-story rear addition along with a new storefront. “Newberry was, along with F.W. Woolworth, a pioneer in the modern merchandising techniques of the self-service, low-cost department store that replaced the old dry goods stress and specialty shops.”At first, Newberry’s occupied two of the storefronts in the block until 1932 when it was enlarged by taking over the space formerly occupied by Newark Shoe Co. Newberry’s was Cortland’s last remaining “five and dime” store when it closed in 1992.The building was purchased by the Saracene family. They had been operating Nordic Sports at 31 Main Street since 1978, the business having had its start the previous year at 132 Main Street. Nordic Sports closed in 2008.Most recently, the far-left store at no.43 housed Jimmy’s Nails, and Wild Ginger opened in 2012, taking the spot of The Real Wood Furniture Store.
51-55 Main Street
We reach the last black on the northeast side of Hubbard’s Corners, that is, the intersection of Main and Court Streets!Bertha Blodgett tells the story of Jonathan Hubbard in “Stories of Cortland County” as follows:“Jonathan Hubbard must have been an unusual man. You will remember that he was one of the first men to push his way through the forest which covered all of Cortland County in 1794, and from a high tree on Court House Hill he looked over the land. He made up his mind that right at the foot of that hill, toward the east, would be a future city. His friends differed with him, but he was right. He bought a big lot of land which was later bounded by Main Street on the West, the river on the north, Greenbush on the east, and Port Watson Street on the south. No wonder he was the richest man in town when the little village finally got started. He built himself a frame house on the lot where now stands the jewelry store of B.T. Jones, and it was the first real house in Cortland.”Elsewhere, Bertha adds that “Jonathan Hubbard must have been fond of the color red. He built the first frame house of Cortland…It was painted red.” Hubbard had also built a mill in the area of the Clinton Avenue bridge that was said to have been painted red, but I have not been able to determine where she came upon the fact that the house too was red.In Smith’s “History of Cortland County,” he recounts that “In the year 1804 there were but three dwellings within the present boundaries of Cortland village, one of which was that of Jonathan Hubbard that stood on the northeast corner of Main and East Court streets.” While being a Presbyterian himself, Hubbard is said to have hosted the first meeting of the Methodist Church in his home. He would go on to influence the decision to place the county courthouse just up the hill from his dwelling, cementing the future development of Cortland village and the business district around what would become Main Street.And this is all that is so far found on Hubbard home! Based on the significance of being the first house in Cortland, you'd think surely there’d be something to reveal the fate of this important structure- but no!The 1855 village map shows a small structure on that corner, labeled as a post office. It is possible that the old Hubbard dwelling was converted into a commercial space, later to be torn down to make way for the brick structure put up in 1860.“The first floor of the new block, on the corner of Main and Court Streets, erected during the past season by Messrs. Schermerhorn, Copeland, and Goodrich, is now fully occupied. Messrs. Wells & Mills were the first tenants occupying the north store, where they are engaged in the dry goods trade…Messrs. Copeland, Cole & Co. were the next tenants who occupy the center store, deal in groceries, provisions, &c…The H.J. Messenger Bank now occupies the rooms on the corner, which are fitted up in the best style,” (Republican Banner, Dec. 19, 1860).Messenger’s bank was opened up in August of that year, and the newspapers reported that “with the addition of this new bank, we shall not lack the facilities for doing all the Banking business which a legitimate trade can call for. Mr. Messenger, the new Banker, appears to be in every respect a gentleman, and will be a valuable addition to our village,” (Republican Banner, Aug. 15, 1860).Eight years later, Messenger went bankrupt after an urgent demand was made on him of $20,000 that he did not have the immediate means to pay. He was thus compelled to close his banking establishments and sell off his properties. This left those with money in his bank in quite the lurch, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a scene like that in “It’s a Wonderful Life” where community members demanded withdrawal of their savings from the bank.Taking over the corner, the Bank of Cortland originated as a state bank in March 1869, and became the National Bank of Cortland on January 1, 1875. In 1916 the bank moved to new quarters on the southeast corner of Main St., and what is now Central Ave. The corner spot was then taken over by B.T. Jones and the corner store became Jones Jewelry. B.T. Jones Jr. carried on the business until his retirement in 1995. In 1999, Randolph Thomas continued the family jewelry business until about 2003.The other two store fronts were used as follows:[No. 51]Glann & Clark- boots & shoesG.H. Ames- boots & shoesJoseph F. Hart & Co. (1910s)Market Basket (1920s)Smith & Carroll luncheonette (1930s)Samilson’s ladies’ clothing (1940s)Brother & Sister Shop (1950s)Rose Co.- (c.1970s[No.53]Charles F. Brown and M.M. Maybury bought the drug business of C.H. Bradford in 1881. It was here that the first telegraph office was established. Brown bought Mr. Maybury’s interest in 1893.Nye’s drug store (1930s-c.1955)Stauber drug store (1950s)Sanders’ Sports Shop- (1960s)Midland Discount Stores (1970s)Logos Bookstore (1970s)Rose. Co expansion1998- Good Things home furnishings and gift shop occupied nos.51 & 53.In October of 2005, a fire gutted the building. Smooch beauty and cosmetics store was located in nos.51-53, Shangri-La designer merchandise was on the corner, Pinstriped Pokadots art gallery on the second floor, and apartments on the third. The cause of the fire was determined to be arson.The exterior of the block was fortunately preserved from major damage, but sat vacant for nearly seven years before renovations were conducted to make the building usable again.Most recently, Affordable Home Furnishings (2019-2024) operated out of the bottom floor. While it is currently empty, All My Friends New and Used Books is expected to open early 2025.
56-60 Main Street
The most concrete information about the early use of the northwest corner of Main and W Court Streets comes from a deed between Ebenezer Hopkins and Oliver W. Brewster. In 1828, Brewster purchased the property which he used as a female seminary. But the deed indicates that the lot was “known and distinguished by the Ballard stand,” with reference to it being a tavern.This “Ballard” appears to be Joshua Ballard (1774-1855), who in the village of Homer built an inn on the corner of Main and Albany Streets that would later be known as Wisdom’s Gate. In 1819, he moved to the Cortland village and must have built a new tavern on the aforementioned site. His inn was the setting of the 1821 county convention, the purpose of which was to select delegates for the Congressional and Senatorial conventions. Ballard himself had been appointed County Clerk in 1819 (prompting the move to Cortland), the work of which he would have conducted in the office neighboring the tavern. He is also credited with serving as the first teacher in Homer, was a founder of the Cortland Academy, acted as third sheriff in the county, and represented Cortland in the legislature. Ballard was also a member of the Cortland County Anti-Slavery Society.His tavern was passed on to Ebenezer Hopkins (Smith’s “History of Cortland County” likely erroneously attributes this inn to Moses Hopkins, who probably had a tavern located elsewhere), and subsequently to Oliver W. Brewster who opened up the female seminary. Here, the daughters of many prominent citizens earned an education in topics that included French, piano, painting, and drawing. The seminary existed for about ten years, then the property was sold to William and Roswell Randall, and is said to have been used as a tenement until the building was either moved down the street, or crumbled to make way for Taylor Hall and the Wallace building (sources conflict on this).In June of 1867, the Gazette and Banner newspaper announced that they “will be removed from [their] present location to the new, spacious and commodious rooms recently constructed on the corner of Main and Court streets, directly opposite Messenger Bank, and adjoining the Messenger Hall Block. The rooms have been constructed and arranged with especial reference to a first-class Printing Establishment, and are complete in all its appointments.”This information allows us to date a stereoview image to between 1867-1869, given that the paper was discontinued upon the death of its editor and proprietor, Charles P. Cole in 1869. This same image also shows that there was a dentist, as well as an “Apothecary’s Hall” in the bottom floor north store. To the south is the hat store of R.H. Spendley, whose name was associated with the block for a few years, even after 1871 when he had moved to Binghamton. Calvert & Blodgett (later Calvert & Sturtevant) occupied Spendley’s spot until 1874, replaced by the drug, book & stationary store of Charles H. Bradford.In August of 1883, David F. Wallace purchased the building from Sackett L. Wright. Wright had briefly kept a boot and shoe business in the south store. The Cortland Standard reported that “Mr. Wallace intends tearing down the present buildings and erecting an elegant business block, to cover the entire space from Taylor Hall block to West Court street…The lease of Mr. Wallace’s present location does not expire till April 1st, 1887, so that the erection of the new building will probably not be begun before that time. Mr. Wallace intends the new block to be used chiefly for the accommodation of his own rapidly-growing business.”A fire in 1884 that destroyed the block ensured Wallace’s plans were moved forward sooner than expected. “Mr. Darrow resided in the rear rooms of the block on the second floor, the entrance to which was on Court street…He states that on Friday night last he went to a dance in Union Hall and came home about 12 o’clock and retired. He had been in bed but a few minutes when he detected the odor of kerosene oil. Getting up he went into another room where he discovered smoke. Running to a window opening on the alleyway in the rear of the block, he cried fire a number of times and called to Mr. Frank Bickford who resides over the Democrat office. Mr. Darrow then ran down the stairs. When a few steps from the bottom a man ran pass the doorway toward the west. Mr. Darrow called to him but received no answer… Mr. Chas. Hale, who was in the employ of C.W. Barney, says that he had been to the dance at Union Hall and left there shortly after 12 o’clock. He escorted a lady to her home on Orchard street and was standing in front of the house when he heard cries of fire coming from the direction of the Wallace block. Quickly running to the scene he discovered smoke pouring out of the Barney store and front of the block, but could not see any fire. Running around in the rear, however, he discovered fire the entire length of a back stairway. He states that it had the appearance of being burning kerosene oil which had been poured on the stairs…There is no question but that the fire was the work of some fiend in human shape, who not only destroyed thousands of dollars worth of property, but endangered the lives of a man, his wife and four small children, who fortunately escaped the terrible fate of being burned to death,” (Cortland Standard, 5-29-1884).About June of 1885, a new Wallace block became ready for occupation, with J.C. Gray’s jewelry store taking the coveted corner spot. He sold the business two years later to Uri Clark and Frederick B. Nourse. After a few years the business went under Nourse’s sole proprietorship.D.F. Wallace & Co. took the north store, and was known as “the largest jobbing house of wallpaper in the state outside of NYC…one year high of 1,750,000 rolls.” Wallace’s business was taken over by William G. McKinney and Frank J. Doubleday in 1895, while Wallace focused on management of the Cortland Forging Co. of which he was a large stockholder.In the 1920s, the jewelry store on the corner was taken over by Ford & Haviland, while McKinney, Doubleday & Co. continued to sell stationary next door.There’s a fun find in the newspapers in 1930 that shows that if the golf simulator business opens up in the old Mullen’s building, it won’t be the first time golf came to Main Street!“The golf bug has so infested the system of a number of local enthusiasts of the sport that one large room has been secured on the third floor of the Wallace block now owned by Dickinson & Son and is being placed in shape so that they may keep in trim until the links o the Cortland Country Club are ready to use. The equipment accessible for the golfers will be an indoor driving net and putting greens, “Cortland Standard, Feb. 13, 1930.”The upstairs to the building was generally used for various offices , including dentists, opticians, insurance, and in 1930 George A. Brockway is listed as keeping his office in the Wallace building.Around 1935, Brotan’s clothing store took over the spot long occupied as a stationary store (no.58). By 1955, Harry Alpert took over the jeweler’s corner, until 1965 when after 80 years of serving as a jewelry store, the corner became Chaffee’s Chocolate Shop.You may notice in the photos that the Wallace building originally had four floors; indeed, this was the case until 1968 when the top two floors that had been vacant for many years were removed, along with a sagging rear portion of the building that was removed to form the entrance to the planned municipal parking lot.In 1980, Chaffee’s was replaced by the Home Dairy Coffee Shop until 1982 when Jack Danielson’s moved in. In the summer of 1993, the restaurant relocated their dining room into 58 Main, which had long been used as military recruiting offices, and began offering dinners, then a few months later opened up a deli. Sometime in the early 2000s, Jack Danielson’s closed and Gilda’s came on the scene. In 2009, work was started to renovate the space for Brix, which opened in July 2010.
50-54 Main Street
Messenger/Taylor Hall block:The Taylor Hall block is chock-full of history and stories, that it is simply impossible to cover it all here! To dive into all the events, performances, dances, masquerades, concerts, and speakers that graced the Taylor Hall stage alone would likely fill a book. Therefore, this will simply be a brief, surface-level overview.Our hint to what this spot was first used for comes from Smith’s “History of Cortland County,” where it is described that “passing along upon the west side of Main street, the corner is reached where once stood a tavern which for several years was the principal inn of the village—afterwards converted into a female seminary and finally crumbled away to make room for the Taylor Hall block,” (p.261).Our first sure marker on the timeline of the history of 50-54 Main Street begins with H.J. Messenger and his Messenger Hall block built in 1865.The Cortland Standard described the building in 1928 as being the “first public hall of any distinction the town had at the time, although the Squires block on the east side of Main Street possessed a small hall where various functions were held. The general lines of the Messenger Hall show few changes today from the time that it was built with the exception of the balcony, which was removed from the front after it had served for many years for the “bally-hooing” of bands which accompanied show companies, which appeared in the old hall and for political speeches from its platform…The ground floor has always been devoted to business enterprises…the second floor devoted to offices mainly and at one time was the home of the YMCA (1869-1882) while the spacious hall on the third floor has always served for public functions, such as theatricals, sports, fairs, amusements and dancing…The old stage being located at the west side of the third floor, the butterfly type gas lights serving for both the foot and border lights, while dark colored benches with stools pressed into service for the overflows accommodated the audiences. The ticket window was located on the second floor, the present stairway leading to the hall…the famous Cortland Athletics basketball team which gained state wide reputation played many of its home games in this hall.”Just a few years after Messenger built the hall, he went bankrupt. A deed from 1869 shows the transfer of ownership to William E. Taylor. At this point, there’s a name change to “Taylor hall.”A notable business found in the Taylor Hall block is the book and stationary store of D.F. Wallace. Smith covers the history as follows:“The first store in Cortland devoted to the exclusive sale of books, stationery, wall paper, and kindred goods, was that of the Apgar Brothers, which was opened in the Taylor Hall block about the close of the last war. The business was moderately successful, and in 1868 was sold to A. Mahan, an enterprising young man who had been engaged in the produce business in Virgil for several years previous. Mr. Mahan is a man of exceptional business capacity and under his enterprising and discreet management the trade of the establishment was rapidly extended and the range of stock enlarged. Musical merchandise was added, and subsequently sewing machines and other specialties. In 1870 D.F. Wallace entered the firm where he remained a member until 1874, the business meanwhile becoming largely increased. In the year last named the firm divided their interests, Mr. Wallace retaining the book and stationery branch and Mr. Mahan taking the musical merchandise and sewing-machine interest into the new building which he erected on Court Street…Since the dissolution of the firm of Mahan & Wallace, the latter has carried on the book and stationery, and wall paper business in his store in the Taylor Hall block, in which he has achieved the most flattering success, there being but two or three firms in the country who handle more wall paper than he, outside the manufacturers.” Wallace would move into the newly erected Wallace block next door around 1884/5.In 1868, other businesses in the block included Kent & Sperry (clothing); Delos Sanders (watches & jewelry); and Mrs. C.S. Downes (millinery & dressmaking).A burst lamp in the basement of the store occupied by Burdick & Co. (clothing) and Delos Sanders started a fire in April of 1880. Willis Brown, who occupied a room on the fourth floor was awakened by smoke, ran downstairs, and located the fire by feeling the windows and finding which was hot. He gave alarm, and the firemen from the firehouse located just a few buildings down were quickly able to quench the fire, confining the majority of the damage to the basement. The law library of John W. Suggett (who lived in our very own Suggett house museum!) in the second story was damaged to the amount of $75.There were plans to remodel the building in 1883, but some parties in the block were dissatisfied as the building of the proposed stage would spoil their light. The plans were dropped, but the newspaper pressed that the building of a larger house would be necessary. There were additional concerns about there only being one large entrance and a smaller exit, and improper ventilation. The concerns certainly seemed reasonable providing the previous threat of destruction by fire!Shortly after, someone must have pushed the plans through after another fire scare in May 1884. This time, the fire began in the neighboring Wallace block, and “Taylor Hall caught fire at the wooden cornice and spread into the interior a little way, burning a hole through the corner, but the firemen carried ladders into the Hall; pushed one of them through a ventilator and taking hose up into the attic had the flames quenched in a few minutes, no damage being done sufficient to weaken the timbers in the least.” Any further damage done to any of the other stores and offices and the goods within was primarily from water.In July 1884, it was reported that “the repairs to Taylor Hall are expected to be finished in three weeks. The gallery on the north side over the hallway is being put in, the entrance to which will be by a stairway opposite the doors leading into the rear of the hall. This gallery will have seats for 200 persons, all of whom will have a fine view of the stage. The hall will, when the improvements are finished, seat about 1,000 persons.” They also added a fire escape through the neighboring Wallace block. Thank goodness!A cyanotype from about 1891 shows the businesses of Fitz Boynton & Co. (drug store); Kellogg & Curtis (dry goods); and Collins & Daehler (clothiers).William H. McGraw and Charles H.V. Elliott first opened their drug store in 1901 in the Wickwire building at 29 Main Street, before purchasing the Taylor hall block from Miss Elizabeth Taylor Smith in 1928. McGraw was born in Whitewater, Wis., and prior to partnering with Elliott, worked for 10 years in the drug store of C.F. Brown at 53 Main Street. Mr. Elliot was a native of Auburn and served his apprenticeship in the store of his father, J.L. Elliott, then worked for seven years in the drug store of W.J. Perkins at 54 Main Street before partnering with McGraw.When they purchased the building, they practically rebuilt the premises at 50 Main St., and officially opened in September of 1929. In this period, the Ladies Toggery was located at 52 and the Victory Lunch occupied 54 Main Street.Alas, this building was finally destroyed by fire May 20, 1960. The Cortland Standard described the event as “a little bit of hell” that welled up, and that the fire was “like an angry dragon.” The McGraw-Elliot Drug Store, Singer Sewing Center, and a vacant store were located on the ground floor, with the Varsity Billiards Parlor on the second. The third and fourth floors were not occupied.It was rebuilt as two storefronts housing McGraw & Elliot, and Payne Bros. office outfitters. “The building’s one story appearance and its sidewalk canopy and metal paneled front reflect the design of the suburban shopping center of the period, which downtown was now trying to imitate.”Sarvay Shoe Co. purchased the building at 50 Main Street from the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce in 1987, and moved the business along with the stained-glass Sarvay sign that topped the storefront on Central Ave since 1917. Here they served the community until 2014. Most recently, Seven Valley Crossfit located themselves in 50 Main before moving to the Crescent Commons, and the Deli Downtown opened in 2003 and operated at 54 Main Street for twenty years.
44-46 Main Street
This is another location where the early history is something of a mystery, and we can't even sure of the accuracy of some "facts." Smith’s “History of Cortland County” provides a date of about 1863 for an early structure, at which point the firm of Mills & Goodrich (dealers in hardware, stoves, and tinware) move a frame building from the corner of Main and Court Street to the spot to serve as their new store. Smith indicates that in its old location the building had been occupied for many years as a seminary. This would refer to Cortland’s female boarding seminary school which operated from 1828-1838. Other sources indicate that the seminary building crumbled away on its original spot, but has yet to be confirmed one way or the other!Alternatively, there may have simply been an old frame structure already at no.44-46, as seems to be implied by the presence of a building shown in the spot on the 1855 village map.What can be known for sure is that 46 Main Street would be the location of a hardware store for over one hundred years. After Mills & Goodrich located there in 1863, such as the case with many a business in Cortland, the partners would trade in and out, the name subsequently changing to reflect new ownership.Ferdinand D. Smith (1846-1925) was born in Port Jervis and started his career in New York City. When he came to Cortland, he entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Theodore Perkins, under the name Perkins & Co. in 1870, the pair having purchased the interest from Mills & Goodrich.Perkins retired, and it became Newkirk and Smith, then in 1875 Smith & Kingsbury. According to Kurtz’ “Past and Present, Cortland, N.Y.,” (1883), they occupied “the entire building, twenty-seven feet wide and ninety feet in depth, with one storehouse in the rear and another on the north side.”In 1884, T. T. Bates purchased Kingsbury’s interest, and then Smith bought out his partner in 1887 and incorporated in 1902 as F.D. Smith Hardware Co. “The location of the store from first last has been unchanged, at 46 Main-st., though in 1888, a fine new building was erected in place of the old one which was then torn down. A portion of that old building is the present Tavern at Orchard-st., which the Smith hardware concern occupied while the new structure, which is owned by the estate of the late B. F. Taylor, was being erected,” (obituary of F.D. Smith, Cortland Standard, 10/14/1925). Just last year, we received a photo of the tavern on Orchard Street, which provides us a closer look at the old structure that served so long as the hardware store on Main Street.The new building was put up by Benjamin F. Taylor, one of the founders of the Cortland Waterworks and its first superintendent, and proprietor of a hotel and restaurant. According to his obituary, “His ear was always open to the sound of distress and the strings of his purse were always loose. Few knew the extent of his charity, and many who were helped by him never knew their benefactor. Mr. Taylor was born in New York City, July 3, 1841, and was a son of William Taylor, a lumber merchant of that city. He came to McLean, Tompkins County, when a young man and at the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted in Co. C of the Seventy-sixth Regt. N. Y. S. Vols., the Cortland County regiment. He was a good soldier, a fighting member of a fighting regiment. He saw hard service and knew war in all its horror. So impressed was he with the horrible side of war that it was seldom that he could be persuaded to talk of the war, but when he did tell of his experiences those who were privileged to listen knew that his words rung true and that what he told was in no sense an exaggeration,” (Cortland Standard, 9/24/1915).For some reason, the impression that Mr. Taylor was a bachelor, living alone in the upper floors of the new Taylor building, began and persisted in several sources. But he married Sarah Van Rensselaer in 1870 and the two lived together in the plush apartment upstairs from the hardware store.The business of F.D. Smith Hardware carried on until it was purchased in 1958 by F. Russell Bentley. In 1973, Bentley undertook the task of renovating the upper floors. The third floor, previously the repair shop and storage space for the Red Cross ranges carried by Smith Hardware, was converted into six apartments. The second floor, that served as the Taylor home, became three renovated apartments.Bentley’s continued until 1997, closing out the over 130-year span that the spot had served Cortland as a hardware store.Since then, the building has housed businesses that include an antique store remembered by its sign that read “We buy dead people’s stuff,” Barsoni’s Pizza, Hot Tamale Southwestern Grill, and is presently Sacred Art Tattoo & Piercing. Images online show that while there have been more recent renovations, much of the original character is maintained throughout.
36-42 Main Street
Next section is a triple-hitter with the First National Bank building, Fireman’s Hall, and the County Clerk’s Office building. The portion of Main Street that now contains 36 and 38 was once part of the Josiah Hart estate the extended to #30, and in 1865 he gave a portion of his land over to the village, allocated for the building of a fire engine house at 38 Main Street. At the same time, a part was given to the First National Bank of Cortland for a bank building at 36 Main Street.The First National Bank was incorporated in 1863 with Thomas Keator acting as president. It had the distinction of being the first bank organized in Cortland under the National banking law enacted during the Civil War to strengthen government finances. After first occupying several other locations, the bank took up business at 36 Main Street in 1866. We can see an early, two-story structure in a stereoview photographed about 1880. A new, grander building was put up in 1887, designed by “Architect Elliot” of Syracuse and constructed by D.G. Corwin. The Cortland Democrat reported that those that had seen the plans prior to construction declared it would be the handsomest banking house in Central New York.In 1916 it became the Cortland Trust Company, and then in 1929 joined the Marine Midland Trust Company group. In 1937, the building underwent renovations, removing the original brownstone front and replacing it with buff Indiana limestone and marble. This building was demolished to make way for the current building occupying 30-36 Main Street, completed in December of 1969 and serving today as the Tompkins Community Bank.We catch a glimpse of the old “Engine House” at 38 Main Street in a stereoview image of the County Clerk’s office- the old structure, likely built sometime between 1855-1863, appears to be at least two stories, with a storage space and large door for easy access for the hand engine.The current building was erected in 1875, and the Cortland Standard reports the following on the new sign that was put up:"‘Fireman's Hall,’ is carved in bold letters, on the marble tablet over the front door of the building now approaching completion for the use of the Fire Department and the village authorities. The Trustees have adopted the name given it by the Standard and Journal, which is more expressive and appropriate than that by which it has been so frequently called heretofore. The ‘Engine House’ was altogether too restricted and too insignificant in its meaning. It did not carry with it anything of the real scope and purposes of the building. ‘Fireman’s Hall’ sounds well—gives a wider idea of its use and is in all respects a better name. The slab is straight upon the base and partially oval on the upper side. Near the upper disk are heavy sunken figures ‘1875.’ Across the base in heavy raised letters arc the words ‘Fireman's Hall.’ In a curve over the top is the name of the President at the date of the erection—James M. Smith. Below are the names of the Trustees -Chauncey Keator, William W. Gale, Samuel K. Welch and Edwin M. Hulbert. Below these are A. J. Lathrop, architect, and Lewis G. Viele, Builder. The slab is handsomely cut and is from the marble works of Benjamin Brothers, who are the designers as well as the cutters, and it shows good taste in design as well as skillful workmanship.” (Cortland Standard, Sept 28, 1875). The described sign was later removed and taken to the Central Avenue station that was opened in April of 1915.At that same time the building was remodeled as a supermarket and offices, and in the 1922 directory we see that the Cortland Public Market was operated by Cooper & Son Co., and the offices were occupied by Butler photography studio and LaFacile Corset Co.By 1928, the grocery was taken over by Grand Union, followed by other businesses that included:1935- Constandy Liquors and Wine, Lines Market, Billiard Academy (later Varsity billiard parlor which moved to 50 Main by 1950)1940- The Beauty Box1950- Victory Restaurant, Dwyer photography studio1965- Town House Fashionsc.1968- The Barn Door1970- The Mug1980- The StadiumPre-1988- Antonia’s1988-Current- State Farm Insurance Co.The barnboard sign that for many years made up the front was removed, and the current front likely done in the 1990s matches the original much more closely.The first building constructed to serve as County Clerk’s and Surrogate’s Office at 40-42 Main Street was erected about 1819. Smith’s History of Cortland County says about it: “It became a well-known landmark to every resident of the county; and although it was often, in late years, the subject of ridicule, and constantly menaced with the danger the valuable records kept in it, it withstood both for the long period mentioned [almost sixty years].”The discussion to put up a new building in place of the old one that had become the laughingstock of citizens and strangers was begun, and “Mr. Hicok, of Homer, made a proposition that, as the town of Homer would build and present to the county a suitable office, it was the duty of the board to accept the offer and locate it in that village. This proposition (which was the last flickering attempt to locate a portion of the county buildings in Homer) was rejected.”Instead, the building that still stands today, housing the Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau, was constructed by L.G. Viele and ready for occupancy by February of 1877. Viele was also responsible for building the Garrison block at 17-21 Main Street, and is the same builder of the Fireman’s Hall! The trimmings on the County Clerk building came from the same Split Rock quarry near Syracuse as was used in the sills and belt courses on the original Garrison building.In 1926, once the County Clerk could presumably take up residence in the new third County Court House, the location underwent reconstruction by the Mathews Stores Inc. (you might be able to still glimpse this business name etched into the stone above the entrance), and the Cortland Standard provides a thorough description of the revitalized space:“The room is being fitted with glass-enclosed wall cases of gray oak, running along both sides and broken by the insertion of four triplicate mirrors, two on each side. Display tables of gray oak will be run through the center of the room. At the front of the store is a mezzanine display deck, and at the extreme rear, with outside windows, are an alteration room and an office, both conveniently arranged and equipped. Illumination will be provided by handsome indirect lighting units.” The Mathews Stores, which sold clothing, operated there until about 1950.Other businesses listed in the city directories include:1935- L.P. Bennett, real estate and insurance; C. Frederick Knapp, photographer; Kaplan Studio, commercial art1950- Cortland School of Dance; Golden Rule Children’s Shop1960- Old’s & Fulmer, shoe dealers1965- Cozy Corner Knit Shop; Russell Fulmer Shoes1975- Van’s Shoes1980- Bowker’s Shoe Store
30-34 Main Street
This location started as the estate of Joshua Bassett (1757-1836). Joshua and his son were the first jewelers and silversmiths in Cortland, and their “shop was upon the same lot as the dwelling house…it was one of the handsomest as well as one of the most eligible sites of the town,” (as recalled by Joshua Ballard in Smith’s ‘History of Cortland County’). The only description provided for this house indicates it was brick, which seems to match with a house we can see in a photograph of Main Street taken some time between 1868-1870.The home was sold to Josiah Hart (1784-1866) in 1853. Hart farmed for several decades in Harford, served as Justice of the Peace, and was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1825. In 1865, he gave a portion of the land over the village, allocated for the building of a fire engine house at 38 Main Street. At the same time, a part was given to the First National Bank of Cortland for a bank building at 36 Main Street. On the other side of the residence, the Masonic Hall and Moore blocks were erected, so by 1869 the home was completely hemmed in by businesses.Upon Josiah Hart’s death in 1866, the home was passed on to William Howard Crane for a very brief period of time until it was demolished to make way for today’s Orchard Street. The property was sold to James A. Calvert in 1873, and in the same year the Calvert block was erected. The early businesses found in this block included John Morris (tailor), Purdy & Van Alstine (boot and shoe store). Just five years later, the businesses had changed to include C.F. Thompson’s grocery, a travel & insurance agency, McClary & Myers (milliners), Hammond & Coe (fancy goods), and a homeopathic medicine store.In 1909, the Cortland Standard published a “Do You Remember…” column that in one issue focused on various businesses present in and around the Calvert block: “Do you remember: The grocery store of VanAusdale in the Calvert block? When the trim shop of the Cortland Wagon Co. was in back of the Calvert block and George Lathe was boss? When Isaac Perry ran a bottling works of "soft drinks" back of the Calvert block? J.C. Gray had a jewelry store? Mr. Soule had a store? Robinson & Bushby had a bookstore?” This is just a small representation of all the businesses that set up shop in the Calvert block!I stumbled upon a fun story in the Cortland Standard published on April 23,1913:“A handsome bay horse belonging to Dr. J. O. Stevens got away from his care takers this morning and clad only in sunshine and a halter started through Main St. looking for clothes. He walked north on Main-St. from the Messenger hotel and, as he was taking it easy and seemed to be about his own business, nobody interfered with him. He passed the Model, Bingham & Miller, and Hart & O'Leary with only a glance to the right and left. He was looking for bargains. In front of the store of S. Simmons in the Calvert block he paused a moment, inspected the show windows, appeared satisfied and without a moment's hesitation crossed the sidewalk and entered the open door. There was no salesman at the front of the store. This horse wasn't seeking to do business with clerks. He wanted the proprietor. He saw Mr. Simmons behind the counter clear at the rear of the store and quickly made his way toward him. Clerks and customers looked on in utter astonishment. Right past them walked the horse picking a narrow passage between loaded tables and shelves and walked clear up to Mr. Simmons, stopped and extended his pose in a friendly way. To say that Mr. Simmons was surprised is putting it mildly. For once he had nothing to say. He was absolutely speechless, till finally he managed to gasp, "Good morning, what can I do for you? Is it a spring suit you want? We have them in all styles and varieties, and at bargain prices.”Understandably, a crowd began to gather in the store, described as being thicker than the crowd that will gather around Sautelle’s ticket wagon in the coming week. They were eventually able to walk the horse out of the store to be claimed by a boy who came looking for it, and Mr. Simmons quipped that he’d be on the lookout for bargains to have on stock to be sure he could meet the needs of such a customer on a future call.A photo from the early 1930s shows the block taken up by A. Louis clothing store, Sullivan’s ladies’ wear, and Dean Phipps Auto Store. In more recent memory, the Varsity Cigar Store and Soda Bar, owned and operated at that location by Norm & Rose Abdallah from 1952-1968, was the teen hangout for Cortland and St. Mary’s High School students.On December 6, 1969, the new Marine Midland Bank building opened featuring a Brutalist style, designed to be an object apart from the “urban fabric” of downtown, emphasizing the break in tradition. It was designed by Turley, Stievator, Walker, Mauri & Associates of Buffalo, NY to meet the bank’s needs, compared to attempting to retrofit the “box with a fancy front style” of most Victorian-era business district architecture. It is important to remember that maintaining and retrofitting old structures is often easier said than done. We’ve already seen several other examples of old blocks coming down to make way for modern structures. At the center is a 2-story sky-lit courtyard with banking services around it on the 1st floor, a balcony and offices on the second.While today it is easy to look at this building and see it as an eyesore compared to the older business blocks surrounding it, the intention was for it to stand out and that it does! Today, the Historic District Commission (not associated with CCHS!) plays a role in ensuring the historic character of Cortland’s downtown is preserved, and at more than 50 years old the building now housing the Tompkins Trust Company is considered “historic”!
22-28 Main Street
The history of numbers 22-28 Main Street in Cortland, like several other addresses previously covered, starts with a house. Sylvester Blair (-1836) built his home on the property “consisting of a large and advantageously situated village lot” with a brick house, neighboring brick store (what would be no.18), extensive out buildings and well selected orchard. Blair was partnered with his brother-in-law, Asahel Lyman, in the mercantile business and in 1829 originated a pottery establishment located on the corner of Graham and Groton Avenues. Unfortunately, he did not have long to enjoy success for he died of fits (a seizure) in 1836 while traveling on a steamboat called DeWitt Clinton in New York City.The estate was sold to Stephen Moody (1798-1850) then to Daniel Bradford in 1846. Bradford appears to have resided in the home and conducted a bookstore/dry goods in the brick store next door at no.18 until he moved into the old building across the way at no.9 around 1865. Two short years later, the residence would be gone to make way for the Masonic Hall Block built by Hiram J. Messenger. The block encompassed the businesses of E.N. Johnson (dry goods), S.D. Beach (groceries), and insurance offices on the second floor. The third floor was dedicated to the Masonic fraternity and included a banquet hall, lodge rooms, and various other ante rooms housing regalia. Aside from the Freemasons, over the years the upstairs rooms were also used by the Order of Eagles and by the VFW.One year after the Masonic Hall Block was constructed, in 1868, another section was added to the structure at no.28, and although the front made it appear as though it had been all built as one block, it was referred to separately as the Moore Block. The Tanner Bros. sold their dress and fancy dry goods out of the storefront on the first floor, while the Cortland Standard operated above.In 1870, we see the first mention of Moore Street later called Orchard Street. The Josiah Hart residence had been demolished making way for the development of this street named first for R.R. Moore who owned the property, then renamed after the fine orchards that remained from the Blair/Bradford and Hart estates.On February 14, 1877, a fire said to be the most destructive since that of the Eagle Tavern in 1862 broke out above E.N. Johnson’s store that destroyed much of the interior and contents of the block. Businesses were returning to the block the following year, including the Sherwood Bros. who operated their grocery before and after the fire in no.22. There were several other fires over the years, including the time a spark from a rocket let off during the celebration at the end of WWI on November 11, 1918 flew through a window on the second floor and set fire to some bedding. Nonetheless, this block did not experience the same devastation that so many other structures on Cortland’s Main Street underwent.In 1886, Alden M. Jewett established his jewelry business which he kept in no.26 until 1920. In fact, the spot would serve as a jewelry store for over 100 years except for a short three years in the 1960s. Jewett’s was followed by the Andrews Brothers. Louis Fiorentini worked at Andrews’ while attending college in Morrisville, and would return to the address with his own jewelry business in 1963. Several years prior, the Fiorentini’s purchased the building. McGraw & Elliot Drug store had a three-year lease in no.26, but once they vacated the Fiorentinis remodeled the store back into a jewelry store which was open until 2008.Another long-time business was Mullen Wall Paper & Stationary in no. 28. The business first occupied the spot in 1915 opened by brothers Frank and Charles Mullen. Two further generations of the Mullen family would keep the business going, making necessary changes to the building in the years 1958-1965 that included a 110-foot addition added to the rear and then the removal of the third floor that was in disrepair. After 105 years on Main Street, Mullens Office Outfitters closed in 2018.This block has also been referred to as the Sugarman Block, the first reference by this name appearing about 1899. While that name seemed to stick, it also appears in city directories to have been called the Empire Block or Empire Building starting in 1906. After the Fiorentinis purchased it, the name changed once again to the Fiorentini Block. The multiple different names did make research a bit tricky!As usual, it’s nearly impossible to mention every business, person, and event associated with these addresses, for there have been numerous tailors, furniture stores, 5 & 10 cent stores, real estate agents, dentists, and more that set up shop! Perhaps you might remember Dean Phipps Auto Store located in no.22 between the 1940s-1960s. Or Sherwin-Williams Co (22), and Harts & Flowers (24) from the 1970s.
16-18 Main Street
What is now an unassuming section of our business district once was witness to scandal, tragedy, and the beginnings of a success story.The history of 16-18 Main mainly covers two structures; the first started as a brick building put up by Nathan Dayton to serve him as a law office some time prior to 1831, afterward used by Jonathan Woods for the same purpose until 1840. It was then purchased by Homer Gillett who at about that time served as Justice of the Peace.You may recall that I hinted at a scandal in the previous post on 11-15 Main St covering the residence once located across the street. These events involved Harmon S. Conger-a lawyer, politician, merchant, and editor of The Cortland County Whig. “As a political editor, Mr. Conger was accused of going far to get the upper hand for the Whigs…John Thomas, a former member of Assembly, wrote letters to Deacon Nathan Bouton of Virgil and William Squires of Marathon, Abolitionists, and mailed them. Somehow those letters were published by The Whig before Bouton and Squires received them,” (Cortland Democrat, May 7, 1937).Criminal proceedings were held before Homer Gillett in 1841, likely at his office located at 16-18 Main Street, where it was alleged that someone had stolen and opened the two sealed letters, and published them. “Upon the evidence, Judge Gillett held Daniel Hawkes and Harmon S. Conger for the crime and required them to give $500 bail, to answer before a proper tribunal. Conger's paper, The Whig, denounced Gillett as a renegade to his party, playing into the hands of the Democrats.”By 1844 Gillett converted his office into a grocery store, later taken over by Daniel Bradford whose store had it all- books, medicines, paints, & groceries.In 1865, Raymond Wickwire helped his son, Chester F. Wickwire, get started with a grocery business at 16 Main Street, which after a year was changed to a hardware store known as C.F. Wickwire & Co. Chester remained there until 1869 when he moved across the street. It would be in this new location that the Wickwire Bros., including Theodore Wickwire, came into possession of a loom that would kickstart the wire-weaving industry responsible for the Wickwire family’s success.In 1872, William Riley purchased the lot and the location would from that point on be referred to as the Riley Block. It is likely that by this time the brick building erected by Nathan Dayton had been expanded back, the additions being constructed out of wood. The spot almost always had a grocery, but also saw use as a tobacconist, barber, tavern, and even a bowling alley with shooting range!Tragically, in 1899 William Gray received an electric shock when he touched a live wire while shingling the roof on the Riley Block. He fell, broke his back and was partially paralyzed, living for several more weeks before finally dying, it was said, from the effects of the electric shock.Brothers Edward and Thomas McEvoy moved their furniture and undertaking business into 16 Main in 1902, and a couple years later experienced a minor fire. At the time, articles mentioned the Riley building as being the oldest business block on Main Street, a fact I hope to confirm as I continue to cover the rest of the street!Several restaurants, including the Cortland Fish & Oyster House, and the El Dorado restaurant show up in the 1920s, and it was about this time that the location was considered for a new theatre. These plans must’ve fallen through for in 1931 the structure, said to be in poor repair, was torn down with no clear idea of what would replace it. The spot would for some time contain Farrell’s used car lot, as well as the Club Diner/Grille, later called the Avalon Grill. Photos indicate that whatever building was put here in that time was very small and simple.Finally, in 1955 the building that remains today was erected, in its early days housing Kinney Shoes, Stefan’s Jewelry, The Hosiery Shop, and Endicott-Johnson.There are so many more stories about this location that I was able to uncover, but simply cannot fit in one post!
14 Main Street
The history of Cortland’s #14 Main Street overlaps somewhat with that of #12. The two addresses were once part of one property with a residence at #12, and #14 acting as an office. In the 1850s, the office was used by attorneys Robert O. Reynolds and Hiram Crandall. In 1858, Dr. Theodore C. Pomeroy (1817-1897) purchased the house and lot. Dr. Pomeroy kept a drug store in a place called “Apothecary’s Hall” located in the area of where the current Newberry Building stands (#43-47). Less than ten years later, he appears to lose the property in order to pay off debts. Julius A. Graham subsequently bought it from the H.J. Messenger estate in 1868 and conducted renovations to #12 to turn it into a business block in 1895.Meanwhile, #14 came under the ownership of Jerry H. O’Leary (1855-1925) and John F. Dowd (1958-1923) who formed a partnership around 1882 and opened their American hotel. At this time, I suspect they would have replaced the A-frame structure that shows up in an early photograph, with a flat-roofed building. In 1885, they added an additional story that would allow for a dining room and sitting rooms on the second floor, and presumably rooms for guests to stay were located on the third floor. The ground floor was used as a billiards and saloon.In 1891, O’Leary retired from the firm and Dowd continued under his own management until 1918. Dowd was also a charter member of the Emerald Hose Co. No.4 and was elected chief of the Cortland fire department in 1887.Highlights of the American Hotel over the years:1886- The parlors of the American Hotel were used as a meeting space for organizing a ball club to be known as the “Cortlands.” The team included players such as Ira Dexter, Hugh Corcoran, and Dennis McCarthy.1893- A bet was made one morning in the American Hotel between Mr. Martin Cahill and Mr. M. Wadsworth when the latter bet the former that he could not drink two quarts of milk in five minutes. Each man put up ten dollars (over $300 in today’s money!) and Mr. Cahill drank three quarts and one and one-half pints in the allotted time, took his money, and went to bed (although I suspect he might have made a quick exit for different reasons).By 1907, a bowling alley had been added onto the rear.After Dowd retired his business, the building was used for the following:1920s- John Hull, chiropractor; Goody Shop (Areva M. Mott)1930s- The French Shop, furriers; the Goody Shop (James G. Zaharis & Louis E. Cuneo)1940s-1960s- Payne Bros. office supplies, Harry Sedaris rooming1970s- Turkey Inn1975- Yen-King Restaurant1980s- Kam Sing Restaurant1986- Szechuan DynastyThe structure was condemned in 1994, and demolished in 1999. If you look on the side of the Community Restaurant today, you can still see some lingering signs of its neighbor of old.
10-12 Main Street
The earliest building that appears on maps was an L-shaped brick structure that at the time was the residence of Robert O. Reynolds (1811-1855). Reynolds was partnered with Hiram Crandall as attorneys and counselors at law, and their office neighbored Reynolds’ home. By 1876 the house was reduced to a square shape and was owned by Julius A. Graham (1827-1902), who once ran the Cortland House and was involved in many different enterprises over the years. The residence underwent renovations in 1895 to form a new business block (#12) that would contain the drug business of Fred I. Graham, and an article from the Homer Republican revealed that workers discovered words in pencil on one of the casings that read “Built for Asa White, 1835.” Asa White was the grandfather of Andrew D. White, first president of Cornell University. From what I could see, the house was incorporated into the new block, which means part of #12 dates back as far as 1835!Miles F. Howes was in charge of the renovation that brought the front of the brick building even with the street, added a third story, and filled the alley on the left side. Howes was architect for the Hatch Library, Emerald Hose building, and the Beaudry, Cobb, Beard, Churchill, and Samson blocks.#10 started life as a wooden block that shows up on an 1884 Sanborn map. The brick face was added on in 1935. The spot is in some years referred to as the Miller building.Interesting businesses that appear over the years:#10In 1887, the Sanborn map indicates a photographer was located on the second floor; the matching directory shows that the photographers Mrs. Selover and Miss Schutt were located at #8, so perhaps there was a mistake somewhere.1890s- The Misses Woods, dressmakers, located above Mrs. W.W. Gale’s millinery shop1908- Star Theater1914- Kennedy & Walsh clothing (John A. Kennedy & William P. Walsh)#10 ½1910- Nathan Miller, jeweler1926- Graham Piano Co.; Eli Miller, jeweler; Joseph M. Smith, tailor1965- Remo DeStefano, tailor10 Main Street first became the Community Coffee Shop in July 1930 under the management of Arthur Giftakis. Prior to that time, it was a clothing store owned by Kennedy and Walsh (you can see an image of the advertisement for this business from 1914, as well as a peek inside!) and then owned by just John A. Kennedy until 1929.In 1931, Giftakis relinquished proprietorship to Rudolph Hertz. It changed hands yet again in 1932 to Harry Morris, who renovated the restaurant before reopening.Community Coffee Shop was under the proprietorship of Hazel McCarthy in 1933, who declared bankruptcy, leaving the space vacant in 1934. CJ Costes and Anthony Nicholson opened the Cortland Grill in 1935, and it remained as such until 1953 when CJ Costes owned it as the Community Coffee Shop until Anthony Souzas took it over ten years later.The Community Restaurant expanded into #12 in 1999.Other businesses located in #12:1897- Fred I. Graham, drugs & optician1910- Benjamin C. Quick, drugs, paints, etc.1914- Walsh & Allen drugs (Thomas F. Walsh & Clyde M. Allen)1926- Clyde M. Allen, drugs1935- Oberson’s Clothing1955- G.R. Kinney, Co. shoes1965- Ritz Beauty Shop#12 ½1902- Offices, insurance and public works.1910- Harry Newcomb restaurant; later The Model Lunch owned by C.F. Bristol1926- Oregon Shoe Shine Parlor (Harry “Pop” Sedaris, grandfather of humorist/author David Sedaris) still there in 1960s.1975- Basil’s News
2-8 Main Street
The first structure on the southwest corner of Main Street and present-day Groton Avenue (at one time named Cortland Street) was called the Lyman Block, a two-story brick structure which is said to have been built around 1816-1817 by Asahel Lyman (1787-1840). Lyman conducted a mercantile business on the spot for about 25 years. By 1855, the same William O. Barnard who owned the Barnard block across the street took possession of the location that would come to be referred to as the “dry goods corner.”The Samson name comes into the picture some time prior to 1876 when John S. Samson (1806-1890) assumes ownership of the property, followed by his son John Melvin Samson (1835-1929). Unfortunately, tragedy struck the “old Samson block” in January of 1892 when fire broke out in the rear of John H. Day’s grocery. Other businesses present at the time were H.H. Pomeroy’s dry goods store, Sarah Darby’s hair emporium, and George I. Pruden’s photography studio.In 1896, the new Samson block was erected featuring a stamped iron façade that was replicated in other buildings built during the same period. Nos.2-6 were fitted out for Dwight E. Shepard’s dry goods store with “circular counters, handsome brackets and modern and spacious shelving,” (“Grip’s Historical Souvenir of Cortland,” 1899). Shepard’s took up three floors with the millinery department on the second floor and carpets, upholstery, linoleums, etc. in the basement. At no.8, Mrs. J.T. Davern conducted a highly successful ladies’ furnishing and millinery business. I find it surprising that the two businesses could thrive right next door to each other!It would be impossible to list each and every business that set up shop in the Samson block, so there are bound to be some that you remember that I don’t mention. But here are some of the names that appeared over the decades (some carried over for decades, but I mention them only once):1910s- G.H. Wiltsie1930s- Clifford J. Tanner dry goods, Strong Beauty Shoppe, Mrs. Hester M. Everts millinery1940s (By this point called the Winters block)- Lee M. Winters women’s wear, Hill Realty Co., Ritz Beauty Salon, Endicott-Johnson Shoe Store1950s- Fanny Farmers Candy Shop, Kelly & Maher lawyers1970s- The Cheshire Cat1980s- Fashions by Giulia, Alfred’s Jewelers
