Mount Vernon in Knox County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Buckeye Candy Co.

— The Mount Vernon Historic Walking Tour —

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 25, 2024

1. The Buckeye Candy Co. Marker

Inscription. The Buckeye Candy Company/ Kelser Dowds Building is located between Howard Street and the Kokosing River. Built in 1910-1911, it was constructed of reinforced cement and steel, which made it fireproof.

It was one of the first-buildings in Mount Vernon with a hydraulic elevator, making it one of our more “modern” historic sites.

The building has housed over 100 years of wholesale and family businesses. It was purchased by the Buckeye Candy Company in the late 1960s and retains that company's name to this day.

In early 2015, the building was acquired by Kenyon College. It will serve both the college and the community, as it houses classrooms, offices, and outreach programs.

Erected by Mount Vernon elementary students.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 40° 23.392′ N, 82° 29.077′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in Knox County. It is at the intersection of Howard Street and South Gay Street (Ohio Route 13), on the right when traveling east on Howard Street. Marker is mounted on the stop sign post. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mount Vernon OH 43050, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Amish Country.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: E.R. Roach Industries (here, next to this marker); Johnny Appleseed's Early Landholdings (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); South Main Plaza (about 700 feet away); Jane Payne, M.D. (1825-1882) (about 700 feet away); The Viaduct (about 800 feet away); Daniel Decatur Emmett (about 800 feet away); Wolff House (about 800 feet away); Wayman Chapel AME Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon.

Also see . . . Historic Mount Vernon Walking Tour ~ 506 ~ The Buckeye Candy Company Building. Short video, created by gifted students in several Mount Vernon elementary schools, about the building. (Uploaded by Mark Bohland, May 20, 2015) (Submitted on May 31, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 25, 2024

2. The Buckeye Candy Co. Marker

Marker is mounted on the stop sign post.

Buckeye Candy Company/Kelser Dowds Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 25, 2024

3. Buckeye Candy Company/Kelser Dowds Building

It has housed Kenyon College's Wright Center since 2015.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 615 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.