Four

EARLY FAIRPORT BUSINESSES

This 1925 view of High Street looks north.

This 1870 photo shows one of several ferry boats that provided service between Fairport and Painesville. The J.K. White was a wood-burning side-wheeler with a canopied upper deck. In 1890, a round trip from Hine’s Landing (North State Street) to the Life Saving Station cost 25¢.

Pictured here is an early ferry service from Grand River to Fairport Harbor.

The McCrone House was located on the southeast corner of Second and Water Streets, c. 1890. The hotel burned in the disastrous fire of October 13, 1890, when 14 establishments were destroyed.

Jones Hall was built in 1845 on the northeast corner of Third and Water Streets. Unloading rigs can be seen in the background.

This 1892 photo shows the corner of Second and Water Streets. On the left side is Newman’s Clothing Store and McCrone House. On the right side is E.E. Lawrence’s two-story meat market.

In this view of High Street in the late 1920s or early 1930s, the Arlington Hotel is at the left, followed by the post office. The building with the bay window later became Colgrove’s Drug Store. Next in the row is Stern’s Clothing Store.

The Wolff Hotel, seen in this 1890 photograph, was located on Water Street.

The Wolff Hotel (also known as Grand River House) also featured a saloon, as pictured here in 1890.

The first store operated by E.E. Lawrence opened in 1898 on Water Street. Pictured from left to right are Dan Fifield, John Johnson, E.E. Lawrence, Bill Johnson, and a Sullivan boy.

Mr. Edward Lawrence Sr. is at the cash register of E.E. Lawrence’s Grocery Store, located on the northwest corner of High and Third Streets.

As seen in this Fairport Harbor photo captured in 1915, harvested ice was scored into sections and cut by saw. It was then stored in wooden ice houses along the river. Much of it was used to preserve fish and other foods sent to suppliers. Also, most homes had ice boxes, which held 25–50 lbs. of ice.

Toubman’s—The Big Store—was located on the southeast corner of Fourth and High Streets. The store opened in 1901 and closed in the early 1970s. It is now the site of a bank and a convenience mart.

This 1908 postcard shows the Arlington Hotel on the southeast corner of Third and High Streets. It was built in 1889 and was destroyed by fire on March 8, 1931. Notice the streetcar tracks in the foreground.

Pictured here is the bar at the Arlington Hotel. The 1901 DOW tax receipts show that there were 52 saloons in Lake County, and Fairport had 28 of them. It was said that little water was drunk on Water Street in its early days.

The Arlington Hotel was in ruins after the fire in 1931.

Noonan’s Confectionery Corner, now known as the Gottwig Place, was located on the northeast corner of Third and High Streets.

Matt Tuuri, the proprietor of Fairport Bakery, is at the wheel with his dog, Tom. The bakery was in business from 1898 to 1926. It is said that this was the first truck in Lake County. Note that the telephone number is “5.”

Tuuri’s Bakery was located on the northeast corner of High and Seventh Streets. Pictured from left to right are John Laitinen, Adolph Suonio, and unidentified.

Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, located on East Street, was dedicated by the Reverend K. Salovaara. The property was purchased from George Steele in 1903 for $300.

This hearse belonged to the Mulqueeny Brothers. Tom is in the front seat. Their establishment began in 1922 and was originally located on High Street. Wakes were held in the home of the deceased. At times, the coffin was carried to the church by members of a lodge. Family and friends followed.

Fairport Bottling Works, 1913, was owned and operated by Matt Killinen.

This 1907 photo pictures M. Kangas’s store located on High Street. Rich’s is located at this site today. Pictured here, from left to right, are the following: (front row) Oscar Hakala, August Bailey, Emil Karhu, Matt Kujala, John Taipale, John Karhu, Pete Concoby, Jack Annala, and Matt Kangas; (back row) Bill Kankaanpaa (Concoby), John Saari, Mr. Rintaluhta, Matt Nortunen, Harvey Concoby, unidentified, unidentified, Jack Wakkila, Antti Luoma, and Albert Hilston.

North Star Dairy and its delivery trucks, located at 533 Eagle Street, were in operation from 1935 to the 1960s. North Star was a cooperative stock company. Stock was owned by farmers and consumers. Isaac Ruusi Jr. was president and Lauri Hirvi was manager.

Pictured here are North Star Dairy employees Matt Kiikka and Lauri Hirvi.

A.N. Suonio Bakery, located at 640 High Street, began operating in 1902.

This is the grand opening of Isaly’s Ice Cream Store at 316 High Street. Locals lined up for free cones, c. mid-1940s.

Pictured here is the Fairport-Painesville streetcar on Main Street in Painesville.

This view of High Street looking north from Third Street shows the Lawrence Block and includes the Ben Franklin five-and-dime store and the Lyric Theater. Other businesses included a barber shop, Beacon Market, Casella Dry Cleaners, the post office, and an appliance store. The lighthouse tower is at the far right. The 1954 film Executive Suite was playing at the Lyric on a wide screen!

Steve Kanyuh is at the counter inside Kanyuh’s gas station and deli on the southwest corner of East and Second Streets, c. 1930.

McCrone’s Dry Goods Store was located on High Street until 1938–39. Later the location became the A&P Grocery Store.

Fairport, Painesville & Eastern (FP&E) railroad car shop and roundhouse employees posed for this photograph in 1926.

Originally the Fairport Warehouse and Elevator Company built in 1890 in Richmond, this building was intended for storage and shipment of grain and general merchandise. Employees received 15¢ per hour. The facility was sold to the A.E. Staley Company (a soybean plant) in 1939 and ceased operation in 1969.

The FP&E Railroad Company office building was located on Third Street. The last diesel to come into the yard was on June 28, 1984, and the company closed on June 30, 1984. The building was demolished.

The damage caused by the FP&E Railroad roundhouse fire in April, 1991, can be seen in this photograph.

On June 14, 1948, Don Thall opened his shoe store on High Street between Ford Andrus Insurance Agent and Rogat’s Hardware Store. There were three other shoe stores in the area—Simon’s, Art McCrone’s, and Toubman’s. He relocated to his present location at 614 High Street in May 1957. At the age of 86, he is the oldest merchant in the village.

Neal and Carl Katila were owners, publishers, editors, and managers of the Fairport Beacon, which was founded in 1935. It had a circulation of 2,100, with yearly subscriptions available for $1 or $3 dollars if mailed. The last issue was published February 13, 1959.

Molnar’s Saloon was located at 945 High Street. This photo was taken in 1917.

This 1923 photo of High Street shows the Arlington Hotel, McCrone’s Store, Colgrove Drug Store, and Stern Brothers.