100 South Main St.

By Kit Zinser

You know the corner. You have driven past the southwest corner of the Square many times on your way to work or shopping, or maybe you have stopped in to update your portfolio at Martin Financial.  Step back into another dimension with me for a moment and forget how, in 2022, we receive our information.

Samuel Clement (S.C.) Zinser was one of 12 children arriving in Washington with his father, Jacob, in 1851. S.C. and his brother George operated a hardware store on the familiar corner beginning in 1861. S.C. was off to the Civil War and returned to form a partnership with Solomon Meyers in 1869. The hardware store operated for twenty-five years and was then sold to Henry Bishop and Clyde Strubhar in 1905.

Picture in the late 1800s a well-worn, wooden floor, smell the wax, oil, tobacco, and wood smoke wafting through the narrow frame building abutting the dusty road leading out of the square. Busy behind the counter, Zinser or Meyers greeted customers who purchased hardware items for the home or farm. Besides making necessary purchases, notable citizens would linger in the store to catch up on news and debate the issues of the day, and the store became a battlefield for the men’s ideas and opinions.  During the years prior to the Civil War, arguments between secessionists and abolitionists abounded.  One article on the building stated: “The oratory which had been heard within the four walls of this building would fill libraries, and the fire which has been kindled in argument would kindle a nation into warfare.” Some say the history of Washington evolved in that little wooden structure.

Legends - there are plenty in the little town of Washington – along with mysteries and love stories and boondoggles.  If you were a kid in the late 40’s through the late 50’s, you probably craved a shake and burger.  A novel and curious diner on the square offered just that, and Mickey’s was the moniker.   Miniature almost - sort of like a little trailer perched on the corner where Martin Financial stands today.  Don’t let the “legend” fool you; it was all true.  Yes, there was a pet monkey that sat on the counter in the kitchen so the pet could look out at passersby.  Yes, there was flypaper coiling like a transparent snake over the counter.  However, if you were lucky enough to grab a bite or cup of coffee there (and my granddad did, unbeknownst to my grandmother), you were in for a treat.  The ladies who worked the counter and grill met every expectation. Florence Marshall was hired in 1941, taking the place of Mildred Slonneger, who became Mrs. Clifford Valentine.  Some were motherly, others offering banter not for the fainthearted.  Kate and Earl Reilly were the proprietors and operated the business from 1934 to 1959.  Advertisements showed the Reillys to be good business neighbors.  They offered up Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter dinners as well as taking part in the Fall Festival activities. 

Prior to Mickey’s, the Kozy Korner Bakery operated for a short year in 1924, and then Harold Willhardt opened the As-U-Lyk-It Sandwich Shop from 1925 to 1926. Lunch was 35 cents, and three meals were $1.00. The Grill had a short stint, followed by the Sweney Restaurant in 1931.

Additionally, on the corner of S. Main, Sweney Service Station operated under several managers and owners. Gas was 15 cents a gallon for Ethyl and 14 cents a gallon for Regular. An oil change included free grease jobs.

The corner, which began as 100 S. Main, now features Martin Financial. The business replaced 100, 102, 104, 106, and 108 S. Main buildings. Pharmacist Don Gronewold moved his business to a larger, more modern, and accessible building on the corner of North Main, where Maloof Realty and Foster Jewelry now sit, in 1971. Don Gronewold served as mayor for many years and retired from the pharmacy in 2003. Martin Financial now tends to the financial interests of the community. 

104 S. Main was known as the Kingsbury building and Roehm building, housing Dr. OP Bennett, M.D., Benford Grocery, Pfeiffer and Co. store, Renfers, Lincoln Lending Library, K and R Dress Shop, Snell, Esser & Kimmel, Esser Insurance and Real Estate, Sommer’s Dress Shop, and Spring’s Dress Shop. 

Spring’s Dress Shop operated from 1944-1964.  They offered dresses, hats, hosiery, and undergarments.   Spending too much time browsing didn’t please the Spring sisters, especially if you were indecisive, giggling thirteen-year-olds. In 1957, a complete Easter ensemble could be had for around $18.00.  That included the pink Easter bonnet for $4.00 and the requisite white gloves for $2.00.  The hat with its fragile veil still hangs on the hall tree at home, reminding visitors of a sweet, simple time.

At 106 S. Main, for a brief time, Snyder’s Grocery operated in 1875.  This was a time when the grocer gathered the items for you, jotted down the price on a small pad, and packed your shopping basket. The payment was tendered then, or he would kindly wait until the end of the week.   F.S. Heiple and W.A. Pfeiffer operated dry goods stores.  Renfer’s was in business from 1924-1933, at which time the Denhart Bank failed.  One advertisement from Renfer’s pleaded for business as they needed cash. 

Casper’s Grocery operated from 1934 for ten years, and then, a self-service grocery store opened:  Menz and Finley from 1948-50 and Menz Grocery from 1950-1958.  You could call Mr. Menz, give him your order, have it delivered and placed in your icebox.  Your tab would be held until you visited in person.

In 1958, Lindy’s opened their U-I Food Mart until 1970.  Lindy and his wife were the quintessential small business owners.  Their philosophy: honest service, good products, and fair prices equaled happy customers.  They helped those in need and created a legacy in town. 

At 108 S. Main, E.A.Smith operated a business along with Heiple and Portman’s Dry Goods from 1878 to 1882.  Mosteller and Pfeiffer 1889, W.A. Pfeiffer and Co. 1904-1924, Kaminsky’s Clothing and Shoe Store 1929.  Fortunately, in town, we had cobblers who helped keep that one pair of shoes for Church in top condition. Soles were thick leather with wooden heels.

Washington Hatchery operated in 1930, and Thomas Hatchery in 1931. Many residents had chicken coops, raised their own chickens, and coveted fresh eggs. In 1938, John Krogman operated Tip Top Confectionery, which was followed by Tip Top Ice Cream Parlor until 1939.

Then, John Leonhard opened his bakery in 1939 and operated it until 1970.  Mr. Leonhard was a diminutive, dark-haired man with thick-lensed glasses and a slight, pleasing accent.  His energy level was high, and customers never waited long for service.  Johnny baked scrumptious, moist cakes, and if you had a crystal square cake stand, you were in luck.  He was the only baker who offered square multi-layer cakes.  His doughnuts were sold out by 10:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings.  To top all of that, he had a fountain where you could indulge in lime, cherry, and lemon phosphates, cokes laced with vanilla or chocolate, a Graveyard, and ice cream sodas.  A nickel would get one scoop of butter pecan ice cream or a phosphate.  Johnny went out of business when an explosion and subsequent fire destroyed his business in 1970.

Walking around the square to do business, have a meal, or enjoy a treat created great memories for many generations in our little village.