Ask Our History Detective

Do you have a Toledo history question? Are you researching your Old West End home? Email our history detective at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . We can help!

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Hello!  I was absolutely thrilled to find your site!  I grew up on Jermain Drive, 1802.  I am very curious about the history of the street and that area.  How did the streets get their names?

JB

Hi JB,

Jermain Drive as well as Jermain Park honor the memory of one of Toledo's most influential citizens, life-long bachelor Sylvanus P. Jermain who was known as the "Father of Toledo Golf."  It was his vision to open a 9-hole course at Ottawa Park, the first public course west of New York City, in 1899.  The adjacent White City Park was renamed Jermain Park in his honor.   Jermain died in 1935 at age 76.

We'll need to research the naming of the adjacent streets to Jermain Drive as time permits.

Thanks for writing.

Your History Detective

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As a child I was told a story of a murder or attack happening in the Toledo area. It happened at the old house on the hill on Alexis road, where now an assisted living apartment was built. This area may be considered Sylvania Ohio, the story was told to me back in the 1980s. Two woman lived on the hill , they were attacked by someone, one woman died, the other crawled injured down the hill to get help. I believe this really happened because others remember the story.  It happened before phones and cars were had by everyone. 

Please help.

Brian

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I just finished reading your information about the Gross Photo Supply Company.
My father, Evans Dunn, was Vice President of Sales. In 1980 we moved to Texas with the company. Which is probably why there was a listing in 1979 and none by 1983.

My question is this. I knew the company as Gross Manufacturing, and my father's office was at the plant, somewhere in downtown Toledo. I was 11 when we moved.  Where was the location? I am returning to Toledo, and have not been there for over 30 years. I would at least like to drive by the area.
Thank you for any help you can provide.

Steve Dunn
Tucson, Az.

Welcome Home, Steve.

The 1979 Polk's Toledo directory listed Gross Manufacturing Inc. as being located at 152 Hamilton Street in the near downtown.  The building although "remuddled" remains standing.

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You have any pictures of Otto's store on Secor just short of the MI line ?

James Chinni

Otto's Variety Store was located at 6008 Secor Road.  Bernie and Maejel Otto operated the store which advertised that it sold "Everything from soup to nuts."  Later, Bernie turned the operations over to his son Lloyd and wife Judith. 

Otto's began around 1940 when Bernie flooded some of his property on Secor Road to allow for an ice skating rink.  He charged children $.10 each to skate while his wife sold hot chocolate and candy in a shack adjacent the ice.  

This photo appeared in a local newspaper in an article recalling the history of Trilby, Ohio before its annexation to Toledo on January 25, 1965. 

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Hello my moms grandparents owned the home at 2129 Madison Avenue during 40- 60s.  I know he had a business he ran called Smith Cabinetry  he fixed furniture the downstairs too a bar was in there too.  I was wondering if there are any more pics of the house inside or any old ads?  I think we only have like 3 pics of the house and stationary that he had from the business I will have to look for them. 

Thank you
Michelle Pfoutz

Michelle, 

The mansion at 2129 Madison Avenue was the home of the Leander Burdick family as early as 1891.  Mr. Burdick was the cashier with the Union Savings Bank and his son Arthur was the assistant cashier according to the 1891 city directory.  Son Frank passed away in 1906 from injuries self-inflicted in a hunting accident at a brother's ranch in Wyoming.

We found a July 17, 1929 newspaper article which related the circumstances of a divorce suit by Jack Orwiler of 2129 Madison from his wife of three years Mrs. Zelma Orwiler.  He sought the divorce due to the fact that his wife refused to prepare his meals, did dishes only once every two days, but also kept a secret closet which she forbade his entry.  When he did make entry, he found five bushels of empty tin cans, shirts and a bathrobe mixed in with garbage.  Their marital home was located at 1971 1/2 Superior.   The Burdick mansion was owned by Mrs. Frances Maynes at the time Mr. Owiler resided there and filed for his divorce.

Ora Smith operated his antique and cabinet-making business in the former Leander Burdick mansion at 2129 Madison Avenue.  Mr. Smith passed away at age 72 in July 1965.   His wife Thecla survived him.

A newspaper advertisement for a pre-Christmas sale at his business was published on November 26, 1949.

The Twenties night club operated their business in the home also.  Murray Miller was the host with John Mast, pianist; Marian Basel, vocalist; and Cliff Murphy, bass.  On April 26,1966 a $19,000 fire caused by faulty wiring in the women's lounge destroyed the roof of the mansion as well as extensively damaging the lounge and an upper office.  The Burdick mansion was subsequently demolished.

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This house (2611 Robinwood) was built in 1910 by the owner of a music business in Toledo.  I cannot remember his name.  I know he died, suddenly, on the day of his open house for this address.

Also, there was a photo of the house, with his car in the driveway, presumably in the Blade but I am unable to locate that photo.

 

Can you help me with this information.

 

Thank you,

Phillip

 

Hello Phillip,

 

The 1910 city directory discloses that the west side of the 2600 block of Robinwood was vacant.   2611 was constructed in 1910 for the sum of $15,000 with the garage costing an additional $750.  The first time anyone was listed as a resident of 2611 Robinwood was in the 1911 Toledo city directory.  His name was Fred R. Gibson.  The 1912 directory revealed that he had moved to Detroit.

 

Theodore F. McManus, the president of his own advertising group, was recorded as the occupant in 1912.  In 1925 the residents were cashier Lyle Hubbard and his wife Daisy.  Then in 1935 Richard D. Logan, an attorney, and his wife Florence (Durflinger) Logan lived here. 

 

We can find no proof that the original owner died suddenly nor can we find that elusive photo of the house with his car in the driveway.  We'll keep researching.

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What area of Toledo is Fitch Road considered to be - between Sylvania and Tremainsville? I have a photo of Northwestern Lumber Company with some of the workers. Hoping to find someone who can identify the workers.

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Dear HD,

I have always been interested in the history of homes and buildings in general.  My history question isn’t as old as the turn of the century but I didn’t know where to start to answer my questions about the home I now own. 

When looking at the transfer cards on the Lucas County Auditors Website, it shows that in October 1945 a Donald C Brondes Sr purchased my home at 5563 Vail Ave, Toledo, OH.  He owned it until January 1970 when he sold it to Herbert & Dolores Hoerig.

I always wondered if it was THE Don Brondes of our local, but nationally known Brondes Ford.  Was my home the childhood home of Don Brondes of Brondes Ford?

I remember the crazy TV commercials when I was a kid.  J  They always made me laugh. 

Thank You in advance, respectfully,

 Janni Juhasz

Hi Janni,

Donald Brondes Sr. is not THE Don Brondes of the Brondes Ford fame but his father who started the business as  a partner in the Tremainsville Motor Sales by 1937 and the founder of Brondes Garage, a car repair service, in 1939.  About 1944 Don Sr. purchased the 1928-built Trilby Log Cabin, 5729 Secor Road, for use as a garage for his business , remodeling it extensively.  Donald Sr. and his wife Helen moved to Florida in 1947, then on to Iowa where Don started an automobile dealership, and then back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida by 1956. 

Don passed away on June 18, 1972 of an apparent heart attack at age 66.  His obituary stated that he was formerly of the 3800 block of Manchester Drive (which is located in Ottawa Hills).  Mr. Brondes is buried in Florida.

Your home at 5563 Vail was a part of Washington Township which was annexed by Toledo in the mid-60s.  A 1966 city directory indicated that the Hoerig's were already residents of your home, most likely as renters.  They did purchase the home in January 1970.

Don's sons, Donald Jr. and Phil, took over their father's business selling used cars including Hudsons and Studebakers.  It became a Ford franchise in 1955.  The brothers were the well-known stars of the slapstick television commercials which you so fondly remember.  Donald Lea produced the Brondes Ford commercials for 35 years.  They caught our attention with smashed windshields, cars cut in half and Donald Jr. taking a pie in his face by his brother. 

Sadly, Don Jr. committed suicide in March 1993 passing away at age 66.  We know that he did not live in your home as a child as he would have been about 18 when his dad bought your house.  He would have been about 20 when his parents moved to Florida.  Did he live in your home as a young man?  We are not sure but will continue to research this.

Your History Detective

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I’m wondering if you might have seen any pictures that were taken in the back yard of the former International Institute (2040 Scottwood) or the multi-unit apartment (2048 Scottwood) that we own.  We are looking for pictures that may show the old iron fence that separated 2040 and 2048 Scottwood.  The fence was removed in the late 1990s by Linda Kaczmarek and relocated to another one of her properties.  If you can think of any pictures that might show this in the background (from an event at the Institute, etc.) or know of anyone we can contact that might have such pictures we would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can give!

Tammy S. Michalak

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Dear Old West End History Detective,

My question is about the Wheeler Opera House, at the corner of Monroe ad St Clair streets during late 1800s, which burnt down in a spectacular fire on St Patrick's day, March 17, 1893.  Do you know if any good photographs or paintings of the old Opera house are in existence?

We believe that 2015 Scottwood Ave house was built during late 1800s by Robert Jeffrey Wheeler, the proprietor of the old Wheeler Opera House. The house located at that address today doesn't look like it's from the 1800s. Can you research the history of that address and let us know if there was a different house at the same address in the past?

John Medamana

John shared this link:
http://www.medamana.org/wheelerh/wheeleroperahouse.html

Robert Jeffrey Wheeler opened his Wheeler Opera House in December of 1871. 

 Here is a view of the Robert J. Wheeler home at 2015 Scottwood before a fire in 1917 and its subsequent remodeling..

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I ran across the "Ask Our History Detective" site today while working on my family 's genealogy.

I have an old note pertaining to my father 's birth mother - her name was Lillian Bentley, and she was apparently listed "at school" in the 1918 Polk City Directory for Toledo.

We have presumed that she was at Lucas County Hospital. My dad was born at that hospital in 1918. I have been unable to extract any hospital birth records reflecting that, but an archivist at Bowling Green noted that it might have been kept off the official books if Lillian was indeed a student there.

I 'm not sure what records you have access to, but would appreciate any information you might be able to add.

My father was Frank Joseph Herbert (adopted name) born 2/7/1918. He was adopted in Toledo within days after his birth by Frank J. and Tillie Elizabeth (Slomczewski) Herbert of Point Place.

Birth mother was Lillian Bentley of Monroe County, MI.

Birth father listed as A.C. Hitchcock of Azalia, MI, a railroad telegrapher.

I have found a great deal of information on the birth parents, but the actual details of my dad 's birth in Toledo and his adoption there have continued to elude me.

Thanks for your help

Randy G. Herbert
Baltimore, MD

Hi Randy,

We found an article in the Ann Arbor Argus-Democrat dated October 2, 1903 where an "Arlie Hitchcock of Azalia, called on his cousin, Sayre Reeves, this afternoon."

Arlie C. Hitchcock (1889-1971) was an agent for the Ann Arbor Railroad.  He first married Faith Derry in 1919 and then married Hazel Mann in 1922. 

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I recently found your page and was really amazed with all the research you guys are able to find on these homes.  I own the property at 20 Bronson Pl in Toledo and was always curious about the history on this home but was never very lucky in finding much.  It seems to have had a lot of history with it because in the attic I found an old door with a sign that said "doctor" on it which looked like an old entry door.  Also, it has 3 floors and a full basement.  The attic had a full bathroom in it (I bought this off foreclosure and many items were missing) but was missing the old claw foot tub and toilet.  What is weird is even though it had a bathroom, only one room was finished.  You had to walk through the unfinished area to get to the bathroom.  The basement was unfinished but it had some drains in one room that are in the cement floor which also was strange and the room had nice doors made for it.   It has walls that are brick (the same as the foundation) so the room was made there on purpose and measures aprox. 16 x 10.  It was not a bathroom, it had a half bath off the utility room already.  I am a licensed remodeler in Toledo so typically I can figure this stuff out.  I found quite a few other things that did not make sense like it is listed as a three unit but I do not know how that is possible.  Unless someone rented the one room in the attic.  It did however have 3 separate hookups for gas meters in the basement.  One hook up did not have a meter when I bought it.  In any event, I can go on for a long time about this but I do no want to make this email any longer.  Any information you can find would be great!!

Thanks,

Nick Carpenter

Nick,

The Lucas County Audtor's office records the construction of your home at #20 Bronson Place as 1902.

We found an advertisement in a local newspaper from August 17, 1905 for an "experienced girl for housework.  Must be a good cook.  No washing or ironing."  Inquiry was to be made at 20 Bronson Place.

 Early residents of 20 Bronson Place included the Edward Wean family as early as 1907.  Mr. Wean owned a lumber company.  In 1912, the Frank Harrrison family were the occupants.  The home was duplexed in the early 20s with W. Hoy Swetland and his wife Harriet in one unit and LeRoy and Myrtle Geller being residents of the other.

Dr. Leo P. Dolan and his Irish family lived in your residence in later years, circa 1929-1931.  Dr. Dolan was the director of Urology at St. Vincent's.  Perhaps the sign on the door once belonged to him.  He and his wife had four children; Mary Patricia, Kathleen, Patrick Joseph and Leo Jr.  A photo of Dr. Dolan appeared in the local newspaper at the time of his death in June of 1952.

A real estate sale notice from 1983 referred to 20 Bronson Place as a duplex with "possible loft in 3rd. floor".  We can find no indication that it was ever used as a three-family apartment house.

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I find history intriguing. I always have. I was not born in the Toledo area, so I know nothing of its true history.  I recently was reading the role call for fallen officers of Toledo Police. Officer Obriest, in 1931, died in an altercation near the intersections of Illinois & Division.  I am having trouble finding info on past maps of Toledo because today there is no Illinois in Toledo.  I assume it would be street renamed in the area...because I see there are Indiana and Michigan, so I am assuming a street in between was renamed at some point.  Do you know which one this was?

Edward O'briest was a 27 years-old unmarried patrolman conducting undercover work when he was shot and killed on May 19, 1931.  Illinois street, once home to the old Toledo University before its move to Bancroft Street, had become an area known as a red-light district, a location for prostitution and other crimes.  No suspect in his killing was ever identified.  So today the location of this altercation that cost Officer Obriest his life was near the intersection of Moorish and Division which still remains but nearly lost to the freeway construction of the '60s. 

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Hello HD! 

My Great Grand Mother lived at the southeast corner of Collingwood and Monroe in the 50's.  It had a steepled roof and under it was a restuarant bar.  I believe it was called the Brass Rail.

Would you happen to be able to get ahold of a photo of that building and maybe the QP that was across the street too?

I used to sit at her window and look at it and all the commotion and traffic going by.  I would be so grateful.

Thank you!
Therese

Hi Therese,

We love your story.  We're happy to help bring back those wonderful memories.

Your History Detective

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Hello History Detective,

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Hello!

I had no idea where to begin with this question. I concluded you may be a good start.  Having grown up in Toledo during the cutting-edge 1960's, the McDonald's on Cherry and Central was a big attraction.

I have memories, on more than one occasion, of my parents showing me a full page advertisement in the Toledo Blade with several thumbnail photos of "celebrities" appearing in the Toledo area at local McDonald's restaurants. Below the thumbnail was the location, date and time the
person would be appearing.

I was given my choice of one person I'd like to go and see. We made an event of the night and got to eat out at my favorite resturant!

Obviously this was done to bring business to certain local McDonald's using the celebrity name as a drawing card.

I learned very quickly these were not the actual celebs, but store employees dressed in costume as the celebrities. Most of the characters you could visit were masked super heroes or famous characters that wore make-up. (clowns, etc.)

Anyone else recall this campaign by local McDonalds? Was this to promote a specific event? It would be interesting to see an advertisement for the events!

My best guess would be this was between 1966-1969.

Thank you for helping confirm that my memories are correct!

Callie Smith

Callie,

The first McDonalds hamburger shop was opened in San Bernadino, California in 1945 by brothers Dick and Mac McDonald.  It wasn't until 1955 that Ray Kroc began the franchising of McDonalds in Chicago.   Chicagoans Burt Rose and Jerry Isan opened the first Toledo McDonalds unit on Laskey Road in 1958.  A spokesman for McDonalds stated "We do not allow any jukeboxes and do not have any car hops".

The local McDonalds celebrated the company's 10th anniversary on October 18, 1966 with an array of Toledo "personalities" appearing at each of the seven McDonalds drive-in restaurants.  Members of the Jaycees and the womens group, the Jay-C-Ettes began their sale of 25,000 tickets good at any local McDonalds for 55 cents each.  One ticket entitled the bearer to a double hamburg, French fries and a coke. The proceeds raised by the two groups dedicated to children went to defray the cost of a swimming pool at Camp Courage, the Lucas County camp for retarded children.  The ladies even sold a childrens' book "Let's Eat Out" for 50 cents of which 30 cents went for the pool.

By the way, Miss Ann was the celebrity who apeared at 3158 Cherry near Central.  Miss Ann was the star of WTOL-TV's popular children's show "Romper Room".

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Do you know what happened to all the plans Hohly drew up for  buildings?  I own a building at Detroit and Airport and found 2 rotting blueprints that have their names on them.  I would like to get more.

Mark

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Jewel and Ruth Green operated Jewel Photographic at 424 Detorit Avenue in 1961.  They lived at the rear of the property. 

Unfortunately, after 1961, the shop disappeared from the Toledo city directories with no personal listings for either Jewel or wife Ruth.   The 424 address was listed as "vacant" in numerous directories after 1961.
 
We're sorry that the trail ends there as to what we are able to do.

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By 1918 George C. Jacoby appears to have rented on the East Side at 242 Plymouth, a circa-1916 bungalow which remains standing in 2013. George is a clerk with the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. which was located at that time at 1101-03 Madison. That building still stands. Widow Theresa resides at 1629 Summit with roomer Angeline Jacoby also listed.

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My great great Grandfather George Washington Hart lived in Toledo from 1852 til the 1890 's. His son David Charles Hart built a house in Bronson Place in 1910. The Burgert family also lived in Toledo. I would love to know where the Hart 's lived before 1910. There was also a Burgert Boot and Shoe Factory there. Amanda Burgert was George Washington Hart 's wife. The Bronson Place house as of 1999 my mom said was owned by the daughter of the people it was sold to in the 1940's by David Charles Hart. Any information about the neighborhood or possible other houses would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

Rebecca Furtado

 

 

Hi Rebecca,

 

George Washington Hart lived at 2146 Collingwood in 1891 as did Clara Hart. Miss Kate Burgert was listed as a boarder in that home. Mr. Hart passed away at age 61 on July 21, 1895. In the late 20s his home at 2146 became the parish house for the Second Church of Christ, Scientist, newly erected at the corner of Collingwood at Bancroft.

 

 

An 1896 directory listed D. Charles Hart as a resident of Fremont, Ohio. He was a part owner of a Toledo ice cream and confectionery shop, Hart & Noe, located at 304 Summit. By 1900 Charles Hart returned to Toledo and boarded at 2253 Franklin. He worked as a general agent for the Pennsylvania Mutual Life Insurance Company with his office at 310 The Gardner Building. By the time of the 1907 directory, he is living at 234 Floyd Street. No. 6 Bronson Place became his home by 1910. In 1952 the James E. Kirk Co. listed the home for sale describing it as a large 4-bedroom home on a 60 by 165 lot with a vestibule entrance, center hall and screened-in front porch.

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Hi Detectives!

 

I am curious about the house that used to stand on what I think is now museum property.

 

My father, Paul Klag, (now passed away) said that he lived in (rented a room most likely) the big, brown (?) house that was located by the museum. I remember seeing it in the 1970's when I took art lessons at the museum. In fact, that's why he mentioned it. If memory serves (and I don't know if it does!) I think it was dark brown or very dark red?had cupolas or steeple like designs with yellow (?) trim ~ I remember thinking it was a fascinating looking house.

 

I believe it was to the east of the original long parking lot ~ facing either grove place or oakwood...... It was pretty close to the museum too. I have looked for pictures or something about this house~ but it remains a mystery to me!! My father was born in 1919, and lived in many places in the old west end, but this one has me so curious. I know he would have lived there as a young man, and definitely before WWII.

 

I would love to know more about the house, its address, history, and a picture if it exists??? I would love to "see" it again.

 

Thank you for any information or clues you might have. I enjoy the website very much, and looked forward to hearing from you!!

 

Karlene Henderson

 

Karlene,

 

We think you may want to look at the old photos of Lincoln which ran behind the Toledo Museum of Art. Go to our links tab and find the Library's Images in Time. Click on that link and type in "Lincoln" where the search box is located. There are several pages of Lincoln Avenue homes.

 

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My grandfather's obituary indicated that he was the proprietor of the Fisher Music Store (circa 1940), Summit and Cherry building. Do you have any more information on the business or any photos? My grandfather's name was Harry Fisher and he lived at 2217 Franklin Ave. We are starting a family tree on ancestory.com and any information you can provide would be very appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

Mike Orr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your grandfather, Harry E. Fisher and grandmother, Josephine were living at 2217 Franklin at the time of his death in 1940 according to his obituary. The family had moved frequently throughout the years and the 1940 city directory had their address as 1014 Prospect. The 1941 directory had widow Josephine Fisher living at 1938-40 Franklin Apt. 5.

 

His obituary related that Harry was just recently the proprietor of the Fisher Music Store located in the Summit and Cherry Building. We found a Fischer Music Store located at 418 Superior, but no mention of Fisher Music Store. Various directories until his death revealed a variety of jobs from cigar seller, factory worker, jeweler and salesman.   We can only guess how the the economic depression of the 1930s affected their lives.

 

We will continue to research this for you.

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