114 West Herrick Avenue, formerly Liberty Street, Wellington, Ohio. Photo by author.
Probably like many parents, there is nothing I love more than taking my son for a walk on a beautiful autumn day. Probably not like many parents, I always load the stroller up with a digital camera, a notepad, and a copy of the Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce walking tour brochure. Today was a flawless day, so we went out wandering. My goal was to take a closer look at the buildings that are allegedly survivors of the E. S. Tripp Carriage Works (more on that later) but instead another entry in the walking tour booklet caught my eye.
The building at 114 West Herrick Avenue is called, according to this publication, the Crabtree Building. “This building was constructed in 1880 as the home of a meat and fish market.” I had to laugh, because just this weekend I was going through microfilm of The Wellington Enterprise and came across a description of a meat market that I found interesting, so I printed it out. It was part of a wonderful recurring series in the Enterprise called, “Business Interests of Wellington. Our Dealers and What They are Doing.” On February 6, 1879, it was John M. Crabtree’s turn in the spotlight.
“For the past eight years the meat market of J. M. Crabtree has been well and favorably known to the citizens of Wellington and vicinity. The proprietor has the reputation of being an honorable business man and is a thoroughly competent Butcher, having been engaged in that capacity the greater part of his life. About two years ago he removed his market to Shelby, but after one year returned to Wellington, again locating on North Main St. His market is always well supplied with Fresh Meats, and a juicy Steak or tender Roast, or Boiling Piece can always be had here. Home cured Hams, Shoulders, dried Bacon, Sausages of his own manufacture and Salt Meats of all kinds are always kept, and good weights are always guaranteed. The Market is neat and clean and his customers are confident of being fairly dealt with when trading with Mr. C. Pure White Lard can always be found here and everything usually kept in a first-class Market. For integrity and fair dealing we commend Mr. Crabtree to the citizens of Wellington and adjoining townships” (3).
Apparently, John Crabtree was keeping shop on North Main Street in 1879, but if the walking tour brochure is correct–and presuming that the two “Crabtrees” are the same man–he built or relocated to a new building around the corner the following year.
Directly adjacent to 114 West Herrick is a large, imposing structure at 110 West Herrick. The walking tour brochure indicates that it was built as the First National Bank Building in 1881, but I believe that date is incorrect. In 1868, the Lorain County News commented repeatedly on the erection of the new bank facility, and even joked that the inscription on the cornice of I. O. O. F. was “so often construed to mean ‘one hundred fools'” (12-2-1868, pg. 3).
110 West Herrick Avenue, formerly Liberty Street, Wellington, Ohio. Photo by author.
I have mentioned before that the formation of the bank in the 1860s was a key factor in the “Cheese Boom.” Not surprisingly, its early backers included Charles Horr and Sidney Warner. In fact, when the structure was completed in April 1869, in addition to the bank, it housed one of the first offices of Horr & Warner.
The 1896 Atlas and Directory of Lorain County, Ohio describes the bank thus: “The FIRST NATIONAL BANK of Wellington, O., with an authorized capital of $100,000.00, was organized in June, 1864, and commenced business the following September. Its first president was S. S. Warner, and cashier, R. A. Horr. The present directors consist of S. S. Warner, Edward West, O. P. Chapman, J. T. Haskell, Chas. P. Horr, S. K. Warner, and William Cushion, Jr. A general banking business is conducted including a savings department, and the present officers are: S. S. Warner, president; Wm. Cushion, Jr., cashier, and R. A. Wilbur, assistant cashier” (132).
First National Bank of Wellington, ca. 1920. Photo 970711 of “Wellington Family Album” Collection, Herrick Memorial Library. Permission to display generously granted by the library.
I recently made a rough list of remaining topics I would like to cover. I have perhaps twenty more subjects about which I feel I have the research to say something meaningful. But I have really enjoyed these blog entries that I stumble upon, that suddenly throw light on some aspect of town history that I knew nothing of previously. I hope they are enjoyable to read, and don’t make the overall thread of the blog seem disjointed. I welcome any comments or suggestions!
19th-Century Wellington 
That was the Knapp Meat Market in my younger years.
That is interesting, Ralph, thank you for posting. I have found many examples–and I am sure this is not unique to Wellington–of a particular type of business being established at a location and just staying there for decades while the proprietors changed. Hardware stores, drug stores, etc. Makes it convenient for the customers of the town, but confusing to try to figure out the chain of ownership later!
I love strolling downtown on walks and creeping in on old buildings and I would love to know where I could get a brochure?. I would also load my stroller and walk with you 😉 I remember taking a guided tour way back in 4th grade, but was too ignorant to pay attention. I heard about your blog last night and have been on it for nearly 5 hours before my eyes were burning. I came to your blog for a couple of things and I have learned so much more than I imagined and I love it.
Hi Elyse! There are a couple of different walking tours. Main Street Wellington puts out a brochure of some of the houses on South Main Street. That one can be found at the Main Street office on West Herrick or is often available at downtown businesses like Bread and Brew. The one I reference in this particular post is a longer and more detailed downtown business tour that is included in an 8 1/2 x 11 booklet just called “Wellington.” It can be found in a rack of materials just inside the front door of the Town Hall. The library is also a good place to check; they have a table of free local materials. Please let me know if you can’t find what you want and I can try to get it to you. Would you mind me asking where you heard about the blog?