Perrysburg in Wood County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Way We Were…
Photographed By Craig Doda, June 14, 2021
1. The Way We Were... Why the name Louisiana Marker
Inscription.
The Way We Were…. . , The block you are viewing today has had quite a varied past. Businesses have come and gone since 1823 and some of the most interesting are highlighted here. Note these photos are from different eras in the history of Perrysburg, Ohio. The background image is believed to be the scene of this block in the winter of 1900.
Why the name Louisiana?
Why is our main street named Louisiana Avenue?
The Answer:
Settlement here began at what is now the flats at the foot of the present bridge, and the community called itself Orleans of the North in hopes that it would one day be another important port at the mouth of a big river. In 1816 the U.S. Congress called for creation of a new town, named for Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of the Battle of Lake Erie, and on higher ground safe from flooding. Perrysburg and Washington, D.C. are the only cities created by Congress.
101 , Reither Bros. Ice Cream Parlor , When this key-location building or its predecessor was built is unclear, but since 1845, and despite two destructive fires, it has housed drug, hardware and dry goods stores, eating places, an ice cream shop and for 35 years The Flower Shop. Its brick walls are obscured by siding and a newer entrance is angled and recessed. Presbyterian worshipers once used space on the second floor.
111 , Artz Building , A former building lost over time and of unknown vintage. This small frame structure had a distinctive gambrel-shaped front that stood out like a crown. Whether built for him or not, one occupant was known by a sign on the building as Refreshments by P. H. Artz. An early photo of it shows a board walk in front and a portion of muddy Louisiana Avenue.
113-115 , C. A. Hoffmann , Grocery and Restaurant This two-story frame building was built in 1856 by Brown and Tyler, a local foundry probably as an outlet for its products of plows, kettles and stoves. That was succeeded by Bostwick and Tyler which later moved to Toledo to become the well known wholesaler Bostwick, Braun and Co. Christopher A. Hoffmann acquired the site for his grocery, restaurant and saloon. He later sold the restaurant and saloon to his father George Hoffmann. Despite a private water system fed by a well and elevated tank, the building burned down in 1901.
117 , Schlect's Harness Shop , For three generations this downtown business family, beginning with Jacob Schlect, made or sold harnesses, wagons and buggies, and finally was the first automobile dealer in town. William, of the second generation, operated in a building at this site until it was destroyed by fire in 1861. He rebuilt in the second block of Louisiana and his son, Gus, continued selling Model T Fords, Overlands, Chryslers and Studebakers.
119-123 , Munger Meat Market , Before the turn of the 20th century, these three adjoining business sites were owned separately or in total by well-known merchants James Manning Hall, Jesse Norton, Gilbert Beach, George and John Hoffmann and George and John Munger. Perhaps the best known was Munger Brothers Meat Market which occupied the 123 address side of the building in 1879 and remained Perrysburg's best known meat store for nearly 50 years. They bought and slaughtered animals on the west side of town and sold meat throughout the area, including Toledo.
The block you are viewing today
has had quite a varied past. Businesses have come and gone
since 1823 and some of the most interesting are highlighted here.
Note these photos are from different eras in the history of
Perrysburg, Ohio. The background image is believed to be
the scene of this block in the winter of 1900.
Why the name Louisiana?
Why is our main street named Louisiana Avenue?
The Answer:
Settlement here began at what is now the flats
at the foot of the present bridge, and the community called
itself Orleans of the North in hopes that it would one day
be another important port at the mouth of a big river.
In 1816 the U.S. Congress called for creation of a new town,
named for Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of the Battle
of Lake Erie, and on higher ground safe from flooding.
Perrysburg and Washington, D.C. are the only cities
created by Congress.
101 Reither Bros. Ice Cream Parlor
When this key-location building
or its predecessor was built is unclear,
but since 1845, and despite two destructive fires, it has housed drug, hardware
and dry goods stores, eating places,
an ice cream shop and for 35 years
The Flower Shop. Its brick walls are
obscured by siding and a newer entrance
is angled and recessed. Presbyterian
worshipers once used
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space on
the second floor.
111 Artz Building
A former building lost over time and
of unknown vintage. This small frame
structure had a distinctive gambrel-shaped front that stood out like a crown.
Whether built for him or not, one
occupant was known by a sign on the
building as Refreshments by P. H. Artz.
An early photo of it shows a board
walk in front and a portion of muddy
Louisiana Avenue.
113-115 C. A. Hoffmann
Grocery & Restaurant
This two-story frame building was built
in 1856 by Brown & Tyler, a local foundry
probably as an outlet for its products of
plows, kettles and stoves. That was succeeded by Bostwick & Tyler which later
moved to Toledo to become the well
known wholesaler Bostwick, Braun & Co.
Christopher A. Hoffmann acquired the
site for his grocery, restaurant and
saloon. He later sold the restaurant and
saloon to his father George Hoffmann.
Despite a private water system fed by a
well and elevated tank, the building
burned down in 1901.
117 Schlect's Harness Shop
For three generations this downtown
business family, beginning with Jacob
Schlect, made or sold harnesses, wagons
and buggies, and finally was the first
automobile dealer in town. William, of
the second generation, operated in a
building at this site until it was destroyed
by fire in 1861. He rebuilt in the
Photographed By Craig Doda, May 16, 2021
2. The Way We Were... Why the name Louisiana Marker
second
block of Louisiana and his son, Gus,
continued selling Model T Fords,
Overlands, Chryslers and
Studebakers.
119-123 Munger Meat Market
Before the turn of the 20th century,
these three adjoining business sites were
owned separately or in total by well-known
merchants James Manning Hall, Jesse
Norton, Gilbert Beach, George and John
Hoffmann and George and John
Munger. Perhaps the best known was
Munger Brothers Meat Market which
occupied the 123 address side of the
building in 1879 and remained Perrysburg's
best known meat store for nearly 50 years.
They bought and slaughtered animals on
the west side of town and sold meat
throughout the area, including Toledo.
Erected by Historic Perrysburg, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1823.
Location. 41° 33.593′ N, 83° 37.793′ W. Marker is in Perrysburg, Ohio, in Wood County. Marker is on Louisiana Avenue (U.S. 20) south of West Front Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 Louisiana Ave, Perrysburg OH 43551, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Way We Were… (here, next to this marker); History Happens Here… (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed By Craig Doda, June 14, 2021
3. The Way We Were... Why the name Louisiana Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 18, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
