The Development of Grove City and the Schools – Part 2

(The following was written by Faye and Harold Morland, and is reprinted from “The Epoch of the Park Street School 1853-1964 and Grove City, Ohio”.  Any opinions made in the article are from the author.)

The first teacher in this first school house in Grove City was a gentleman by the name of Mr. Canfield. II was Miss “Teeny” Yates, who taught one summer. The third was Mrs. Young, maiden name Viets, who in the autumn of 1853 though but a girl of 18 traveled from Oberlin to Grove City to teach our school. She began teaching November 22, 1853. Eight pupils entered, her average daily attendance was 60 pupils. Other teachers in this early school where Professors Hannam, Stonestreet and William Sibray.

Among those who took a prominent part in securing the school were William Foster Breck, Hugh Grant, Jr., George Weygandt, Daniel Smith, Jonathan Gantz, and Joseph Pense.

it is interesting to note here the Grove City Road (also known as Dutch Pike) extended northeastwardly and in alignment with and connecting with County Road, now known as Stringtown Road. This extended connecting road was discontinued when the plat of 78 lots was laid out. Moreover, it laid diagonally in the direction where the schoolhouse was later built.

Other lots were purchased for log homes. Grove City was growing. It got its name from the large remaining groves of trees that settlers left standing as they cleared the surrounding land for crops. The log cabin village grew. Some of the stores were constructed of brick. Tile was necessary to drain the fertile but flat land.

William Foster Breck was a very enterprising man. He influenced many men and owned large farm acreage, after having cleared the land. Besides crops that he raised, he established the usual basic businesses for the time in Grove City.

His death occurred August 8th, 1864, under most unusual circumstances. Older residents relate that he was loading oats in a field near where 71 West Park Street is now located. Suddenly one of the farmers in the community rode by on horseback from Columbus and informed Mr. Breck that Abraham Lincoln had again been nominated for president. Mr. Breck being a staunch Republican, shouted for joy whereupon his team of horses became frightened and lunged forward, toppling Mr. Breck from the top of his load of oats to the ground. His neck was broken by the fall. He died almost instantly and was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, August 11, 1864.

(The continuation of this story in the next blog entry.)

The Development of Grove City and the Schools – Part 1

(The following was written by Faye and Harold Morland, and is reprinted from “The Epoch of the Park Street School 1853-1964 and Grove City, Ohio”.  Any opinions made in the article are from the author.)

The hardy pioneer settlers kept coming. In 1846, William Foster Breck purchased some land from the Hugh Grant estate in Jackson Township and came to live here. The Highlands or HIllsboro Road was built in 1848. The four, and sometimes six horse hack (stage coach) began service on that road.

In 1851 and 1852, William Foster Breck, with a commission composed of George Weygandt, William Sibray and Jeremiah Smith laid out and platted land into lots. This was the beginning of Grove City. The plat contained 15.25 acres of land in which William F. Breck had purchased from Hugh Grant, Jr., in 1846, and some other land owned by his father-in-law Jeremiah Smith. The platted land lay east of, and adjacent to, the Highland Road (Hillsboro Road). This road was renamed Broad Street on this plat. This road is now known as the Harrisburg Pike and, in Grove City, as Broadway. This plat of land was located seven miles south of Columbus.

The North boundary on the plat was named Franklin Alley and is now known as Cleveland Avenue. The South boundary on the plat was named Sugar Alley and is now known as Civic Drive. The East boundary was an irregular line generally located on the average of three lots east of Alley No. 4 on the plat and now known as Dudley Street. The four alleys north and south, all parallel to Broadway, are now known as First Street, Arbutus Avenue, Third Street, and Dudley Street. Between Sugar Alley and Franklin alley, and parallel to them, were platted three streets: School Street, now known as East Park Street; Jackson alley, still bearing the same name; and Church Street, presently called Columbus Street.

The plant contained 78 Lots. Four of them now make up the Park Street Elementary School site. The four lots are numbered 30 through 33 inclusively. They lie together on the north side of East Park Street. Lot number 30 lies along 3rd Street and lot number 33 along Arbutus Avenue.

The first lot purchased for the first school house was Lot number 32.  See deed book No. 74, page 475, in the Franklin County Recorder’s Office. It was deeded to the Board of Education of Jackson Township by the owner, William Foster Breck, and his wife, Elizabeth Campbell Breck, May 2, 1862.  The recorded deed recites, “The above named lot conveyed to the Board of Education is in compliance to an agreement made in the year of 1853.” The cost of the lot as written in the deed was 1 cent. The first school building in Grove City was built on this lot number 32 in 1853. It was built of logs and slab boards, equipped with rough slab benches supported at either end by a pair of hickory pins inserted in sugar holes and, for the times, was complete with modern “conveniences”. Part of this one-room building was later be used in two residences on Park Street and Arbutus Avenue.

(The continuation of this story in the next blog entry.)

Town with a Future – The Grove City Farmers Exchange Co.

(The following was written by Lewis Garrison, and is reprinted from 1927’s “Grove City – The Town with a Future”,  available at the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum. Any opinions made in the article are from the author.

Town with a Future – The Grove City Farmers Exchange Co.

This is without doubt the oldest business enterprise in Grove City, being known over 60 years ago as the old Breck saw and Grist Mill. It was successively owned by various parties down to late years when George Gantz made of it a more or less first class small town mill and elevator. Several owners had the business subsequently, more particularly Esley Brothers and later Charles Esley. On February 18, 1921, fire destroyed the mill in storage room. Prior to this date the above title corporation was formed and after the fire the old premises were acquired from Charles Esley. Then began the erection of the present large and modern concrete elevator with a capacity of over 21,000 bushels of grain. Today with the feed mill equipment and other buildings the company have one of the best places of the kind in this section. There are over 150 stockholders in the company, nearly all of them are farmers in the surrounding territory. The business is prosperous and growing. The lines engaged in are the buying and selling of grain, flour, feed, salt, coal, fencing, tile, etc. Mr. Samuel Horn is the manager. The officers of the corporation are: R.M. Borror, President; William Koehler, Vice-President; Harry Linebaugh, Secretary, and M.R. Miller, Treasurer.

 

Town with a Future – The Grove City Manufacturing Co.

(The following was written by Lewis Garrison, and is reprinted from 1927’s “Grove City – The Town with a Future”,  available at the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum. Any opinions made in the article are from the author.

Town with a Future – The Grove City Manufacturing Co.

Incorporated three years ago and is managed by Ira Maxson. Building contracting is the chief business, the mill equipment being such as to facilitate the manufacturing of finished lumber, frames, sash, and other mill work. Dwellings are constructed on contract locally, as well as in Columbus. Some recent buildings are a large double on South Burgess and a single on South Terrace, Hill Top, Columbus.

Town with a Future – Gibson Park Place

(The following was written by Lewis Garrison, and is reprinted from 1927’s “Grove City – The Town with a Future”,  available at the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum. Any opinions made in the article are from the author.

Town with a Future – Gibson Park Place

This new edition is being advanced by the American Building and Realty Company, located at 511 Chamber of Commerce Building, Columbus. The tract consists of 100 acres platted into 500 lots and is located on the Harrisburg Pike just a short distance from the intersection of Mound Street and Central Avenue. It is within walking distance of the city street car service with five fare and universal transfer. The Grove City traction line stops at the addition. Besides this service, five excellently paved streets lead direct to the state house with no grade crossings and less traffic to encounter than any section of the city. Already a number of homes have been built and other homes are under construction. A rapid growth is anticipated during the coming spring. Gibson Park Place is partially woodland and an ideal home site. This addition is under the management of Mr. E.C. Slack, who has an office at his home, No. 1036 Harrisburg Pike.

Town with a Future – Grossman and Flach, Grocers

(The following was written by Lewis Garrison, and is reprinted from 1927’s “Grove City – The Town with a Future”,  available at the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum. Any opinions made in the article are from the author.)

Town with a Future – Grossman and Flach, Grocers

This firm commenced business here about ten years ago in premises on the opposite side of the street from where they are now located. After about nine years, and in 1922, they purchased the property on Broadway and built the single-story brick building which they now occupy. Groceries and meats are the lines carried. Their business has grown and is in a prosperous condition. The firm is composed of Otto G. Grossman and William C. Flach, who were born and raised in this locality.

Town with a Future – Hensel Brothers

(The following was written by Lewis Garrison, and is reprinted from 1927’s “Grove City – The Town with a Future”,  available at the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum. Any opinions made in the article are from the author.)

Town with a Future – Hensel Brothers

The above-named partnership is composed of Edward and Otto Hensel, engaged in trucking, milk hauling and ice business. They commenced operations on August 1st three years ago. Their place of business is at the center of Broadway and Grove City Pike. At the corner of the street intersection there is now being erected a modern filling station for the sale of the high-grade products of the Capital City Oil Company, in which company they are stockholders. General truck hauling is done, besides they collect milk for five different milk companies and two creameries in Columbus and traverse a radius of 15 miles in this industry. They also handle ice in this section for the City Ice & Fuel Company. Coupled with the business is a battery service, and in this department three well-known makes of batteries are handled, including the Willard, Cole and Exide.

Town with a Future – Mulzer’s Garage

(The following was written by Lewis Garrison, and is reprinted from 1927’s “Grove City – The Town with a Future”,  available at the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum. Any opinions made in the article are from the author.)

Town with a Future – Mulzer’s Garage

This is the Ford agency, handling Ford and Lincoln cars and Fordson tractors. In the three years of business 850 cars have been delivered. It is the largest and most complete service station in central Ohio. Leslie G. Mulzer is President and general manager.

Town with a Future – Grossman Hardware Co.

(The following was written by Lewis Garrison, and is reprinted from 1927’s “Grove City – The Town with a Future”,  available at the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum. Any opinions made in the article are from the author.)

Town with a Future – Grossman Hardware Co.

Mr. H.G. Grossman is the proprietor of the above-named business which is located in the business center of Grove City. It was established by Elias A. White, father-in-law of the proprietor, in the 90s, and is the oldest hardware store in the community. Seven years ago the business was taken over by William C. and H.G. Grossman, and since last February has been owned and controlled by the present proprietor. A full line is carried of general hardware, farm implements, builders’ hardware, stoves, ranges, furnaces, pains, oils, glass, coal, lime and cement. The coal yard is equipped with its own spur, giving excellent facilities for the handling of building materials and coal. The business has been built on quality merchandise and courteous treatment to customers. Mr. Grossman has lived in the community practically all of his life.

Town with a Future – Johnston and Grant

(The following was written by Lewis Garrison, and is reprinted from 1927’s “Grove City – The Town with a Future”,  available at the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum. Any opinions made in the article are from the author.)

Johnston and Grant

Mr. S.E. Johnston started in the coal business about 1890 and is the oldest established business here. The coal yard is located on the B. and O. Between Park Street and Grove City Pike. He was formerly a school teacher and taught in Grove City and vicinity for five years. Seeing the opportunity for a business of his own he started as above noted. The business grew and a few years later A.G. Grant, now deceased, entered into partnership with him and the grain business was added. This business was conducted successfully until recent years. After the death of Mr. Grant, a son, Jesse R. Grant, took over his father’s interest and is still active in the business. Later were added the lines of lumber, building material and supplies, builders hardware, etc.