Main Street Through the Years

Main Street Through the Years. . Main Street has always been the heart and soul of our town. A place of beauty, social engagement, commerce, and special events, Main Street was also residential and included summer cottages, some still existing today. Early businesses included the Robbins' blacksmith shop, Miller General Store, and the Henkel and Craig livery stable. , In the early 1900's, Main Street was unregulated and primitive – a muddy dirt road flanked by hog pens, wooden shacks, cattle, horses, and hordes of flies! By 1912, Town ordinances and building codes required livestock to be fenced, improving sanitation. For the more refined tourists and cottagers, no longer dodging chickens and pigs in the street was an appreciated blessing. , The fire of 1923 destroyed most of the structures on the East side of Main Street, resulting in an era of modernization with stone construction required to avoid a repeat fire. Through the years, Main Street has been the home of hotels, churches, restaurants, shops, a theatre, art galleries, and museums. In the 1950's, there were four full-service gas stations! While we mourn the loss of Main Street favorites like Sonny's Grill, the Yonahlossee Theater, Craig's Grocery, and Storie's Soda Shop, life goes on, and new attractions continue to keep Main Street vibrant.