History of West Side Main Street,
Culver, Marshall, Indiana
I wrote this up for Jeff Kenney for the library site - and I have expanded it some since I wrote it originally. I will
try and do more with it - Do you remember the businesses of downtown Culver, the years, etc. - Can you expand upon this listing?
If so e-mail me -
At least this is a start - Another part of history to be recorded slowly as I work on finishing the lake part up - It will be an ever changing page - why? because of a kids memory of the 1960's - to what it was in the 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000's - then you mix in the past and try and re-create - what was - and is now and try to make an accurate record of history for Main Street Culver (an impossible task - maybe?)! NOW that is a challenge I present to everyone!
I wrote this up for Jeff Kenney for the library site - and I have expanded it some since I wrote it originally. I will try and do more with it - Do you remember the businesses of downtown Culver, the years, etc. - Can you expand upon this listing? If so e-mail me -
At least this is a start - Another part of history to be recorded slowly as I work on finishing the lake part up - It will be an ever changing page - why? because of a kids memory of the 1960's - to what it was in the 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000's - then you mix in the past and try and re-create - what was - and is now and try to make an accurate record of history for Main Street Culver (an impossible task - maybe?)! NOW that is a challenge I present to everyone!
This is just a rough beginning of this listings. With no addresses in the early years just the street name it is hard to place them correct - if you remember won't you help?
Some ads of Culver businesses that appeared in various newspapers etc. of the time. on the side bae menu
The - 1906 1914 , 1924 & 1937 Sanborn fire maps.
1905 Businesses Main St.
- Wm. A. Foss & Son - Bakery
- Howard & Davis Bakery
- G. R. Howard Bakery - ? Dec 1908
G. R. Howard has disposed of his bakery business to Daniel R. Wolf of Syracuse, who takes possession today.
Mr. Howard will hereafter devote his time to his ice craam business. Rochester Sentinel, Friday, December 18, 1908
- Faniel R. Wolf purchased G. E. Howard Bakery - Dec 1908
- 2nd floor L. W. Keech's cigar factory
April 1 – L. W. Keech of Kewanna has rented the second story of the bakery building and will remove his cigar
factory to Culver
- Parr - Barber - 1914
- 1909, May 20 - H. H. Austin opened his skating rink
- E. A./Harry Poor - Barber - 1914
April 9 – Harry Poor has bought the Parr barber shop…
- The Surprise - F. Hessel prop.
- Cement Block Manufacturing - John Osborn
- Stahl & Co.
- Porter & Co.
- City meat market - D. G. Walter
- Morris Hotel - Margaret Morris, prop.
Unknown Locations 1920's 1930's
- Gem Barber Shop - 1920 - C. W. Pickard, prop.
- 1927 - January 26 – Forrest Geiselman purchases Hatten grocery/Corner Market it closed during the "great
Depression.
- 1927 - March 16 – Mr. and Mrs. Neal Lichtenberger purchase Mack restaurant
- 1927 - September 21 Culver Dry Goods moves entire stock out of town.
- Biddinger Barber Shop - ?-1932
- Red's Barber Shop - 1932-?Clarence Calhoun
1932 - November 23 – Clarence Calhoun buys Biddinger Barber Shop.
- Culver City Bakery , Wm. Minardow, Prop. - 1920
- F. G. Solomon's - 1920's clothiers - Fred Solomon
- Conklin's Grocery
- A. M. Roberts Plumbing Shop - ?-1932 - Bought in 1926 by Emil Sipeman
1932 - July 13 – Emll Stepman buys Robert’s Plumbing Shop.
- NAMED STATION MANAGER - Byron Studebaker, son of Councilman Claude Studebaker and Mrs. Studebaker, has been
named manager of the Gulf Oil Company filling station in Culver. He assumed his new position yesterday, but has been
employed by the company for the past six months. - The News-Sentinel, Thursday, October 17, 1940
Unknown Locations
- Trailsman - 1958
1958 - September 3 – “The Trailsman,” Main Street sporting goods store, is going out of business
- Oberlin Electric Appliance Store ?-1952
1952 June 18 – Raymond E. Kline has purchased Oberlin Electric Appliance Store.
- the one and only taxi in Culver, operated by Frank McLane, who also taught English in the High School
Here are some ads of Culver businesses that appeared in various newspapers etc. of the time.:
1895,
1896,
1898,
1919,
1920,
1932,
1952,
The - 1906 and the 1914 Sanborn fire maps.
North Side of street:
Lakeshore Dr. & Main St.
- Empty Lot 1906-1937
- Indiana Bell Telephone Company - 1950's-1984, Parent company AT&T 1920-1983
- Indiana Bell Telephone Company, Inc. d/b/a Ameritech Indiana- 1984-1999
- Indiana Bell Telephone Company, Inc. d/b/a Southern Bell Company/SBC Indiana - 1999-2005
- Indiana Bell Telephone Company, Inc. d/b/a AT&T Indiana - 2006-?
Main St. & Lake Shore Dr.
313 N Main
- dwelling 1906-1937
- 1930 Laura J. Medbourn
- Bodey's Hair Salon
- downstairs Apartment
- Upstairs Apartment
- Silhouette Beatuty Salon 1952-2007
1985-6 Lou Townsend & Marcia Beck; 1987 Lou & Marylin Reinholt
- downstairs Apartment
- Upstairs Apartment
307 N. Main
- 1906 was part of 313 & 303 N. Main
- dwelling 1906-1937
- private residence
- The Painter & The Poet Gallery & private residence - 200_ - ?
303 N. Main
- dwelling 1906-1937
- 1930 - 1960/70's J. Stinchcomb
- Easterday Dental Office - Gregory Easterday 1970's-200_
- W. Bailey Davis Orthodonist - 1986
- Upstairs Apartment?
Cass Street
217 N. Main
- dwelling 1906-1937
- private Residence
- Gift Shop Lois Curtis 1980's
- The Country Harvestor - 1985
- private Residence Arthur & Elaine Giudice
213 N. Main
- dwelling 1906-1937
- private Residence
203 N. Main
- Methodist Church Parsonage 1906-1957
1958 - September 17 – New Standard Oil Company (Indiana) Service Station will be built
at the corner of Main and Washington Streets, where the old Methodist parsonage was torn down last week…
- Standard Oil - Baker
- Standard Oil Don Weirick
- Good's Amocco Service - 1985-7, 1991
- Culver Express (BP) GOODS AMOCO INC IND CORP
Washington Street
109 N. Main St.
- Methodist Church 1868-1956/7
- 105 W. Washington
- Nipsco - 1956 (built)
- Dr. John Oldham, D.D.S - April 1958-1970/71
1958 - January 29 – Dr. John Oldham will open dental office here in April in the basement of the NIPSCO building
- State Exchange/Nor-Cen Insurance 198_- 199_
- tore down 2000/2001 for Library Addition Corp.
- 107 N Main
- 1) Telephone Exchange & 2) Dwelling & 3) Office - 1906
- 1) Dwelling & 2) empty lot 1914
- Culver Union Township Public Library1914-200_
- ? Main St. became part of 101 N Main c 1937
- Blacksmith Shop
- Office - 1906
- Drs. Office & Telegraph - 1914
- By 1937 demolished - and only one building on lot as listed below
- 101 N. Main St.
- Variety Store, 1895 - E. M. George
- Exchange Bank - built 1907-1936
- Masonic Lodge - Upstairs 1907-1960's
- State Exchange Bank - newly chartered 1917
- State Exchange Finance Co. - 1923-198_
- Dr. Robinson DDS - 1925 - ?
- Dr. C. G. Mackey, MD.
- Dr. Norris
- The Barnes Construction Company 1920_ - ?
- Masonic Lodge - 23 Jan 1926 Rear portion 2nd floor
CULVER DEDICATES NEW MASONIC LODGE ROOM
Culver, Jan. 25. - Culver Masons dedicated their new and very fine lodge quarters Friday
night, making the grandest milestone in their career. The event was preceded by a big
banquet at the Methodist church parlors served by the ladies of the Eastern Star to a
hundred local and visiting Masons. Following this the dedication ceremonies were carried
out at the new hall. The Culver Masons now have most commodious and elegant quarters in
the new bank building of the State Exchange bank, one of the finest bank buildings in
this section of the state. They occupy the entire rear portion of the second floor, and
here have had made to their special accommodations a large lodge hall, a fine social room for recreation and
visiting, etc., and a kitchen from where meals can be served. An entrance lobby or coat room is also a part of
the elegant quarters. Present at the big affair were Grand master of Indiana F. & A. M. Albert W. Funkhouser of
Evansville and Grand Secretary, Wm. H. Swintz of South Bend. [The News-Sentinel, Monday, January 25, 1926]
- Auto Branch - May 1933 - ?
- Russell L. Easterday Const. & Supply Co. - 1952- ?
- The State Exchange Bank - chartered 1937
- Methodist Church Office - 1952
- Betty's Beauty Shop - 1952
- Western Union - ?-May 1952
- State Exchange Finance Company
- State Exchange Insurance Company
1952 May 21 – The State Exchange Bank announces plans to occupy another room in the two-story bank building
here; the room was formerly occupied by Western Union.
In 1956, the bank announced the purchase of the lots on the block past the library and plans were announced
for major rehabilitation, remodeling, and redecorating of the Culver building starting in January of 1957. A
60-car parking lot was planned or the west side of the Culver building
- Norcen Bank - January 24, 1995
January 24, 1995, it was consummated and NorCen Bank was born of the merger of The State Exchange Bank and
Farmers State Bank
- Indiana Federal Bank
- 5/3 Bank
- First Farmers Bank & Trust - Sept 2006
Jefferson Street
- Hotel & Eating house - 1906 Main & Jefferson
- Dwelling/Hotel & Eating house - 1914 Main & Jefferson
- 'S' - 1924 Main & Jefferson
- Grocery
- Wm. M. Hand & Sons Service Station c 1935 Don Hand
- Gordon's Standard Service - 1952
- Texaco - ?-1980's - Gordon Cultice
- Empty Lot
- Heritage Park Antiquarian & Historical Society
6 November 1996 – The Antiquarian and Historical Society of Culver revealed plans for a small
park on the site of the former Texaco gasoline station at the southwest corner of Main and Jefferson…
- 103 Main
- Exchange Bank - 1901
- Exchange Bank - John Osborn
- E. E. Parker M.D. - 1905 - upstairs
- Exchange Bank - M. C. Mc Cormick
- Exchange Bank - Schuyler Shilling
- Barber/Vender - 1914
- Vend - 1924-1937
- Smith Shoe Repair - Cecil R. Smith
1958 May 14 – E. M. Espich buys local shoe repair shop…
- May 1958 Shoe Repair - E. M. Espich
- Culver Citizen 1967 - ?
- Cultice Texaco Storage
- Insurance Services by Cultice 198_-2006
- Cultice Insurance - part of 2007-8 - Vancant????
- Brockey Insurance - July 1 2008 Larry Brockey Jr.
- Apartment Upstairs
- Osborn Block
- 107 Main
- Culver City Drug Store - 1897
- Exchange Barber Shop, under the - 1897
- T. E. Slattery's Drug Store, 1906, 1914
- Apartment Upstairs
- In back Wallpaper & paint - 1914
- Apartment Upstairs
- 'S' - 1924-1937
- Culver City Drug 19_-1963 - Barret Irvin's
- Culver City Drug 1963-1968 - Barret Irvin's & Ronald Tusing
- Mr. T's Rexall - Nov. 1968-1977 Ronald Tusing
November 7 – Ronald Tusing held a Grand Announcement to announce his ownership of Mr. T’s Culver Rexall
Drug store…
- Shoe Stable - 197_-1980's
- Multi-Business - 1990_
- UPS Shipping Depot - 199_ - ?
- Oct 1991-? - Culver Citizen
- Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund, Inc.- 199_ - ?
- Apartment Upstairs
- Coldwell Banker Reality Abad & Epley - [Owner - Frederick A. Karst}
Anchor/Epley Rentals
CulverLiving.com Janette Surrisi Coldwell Banker Anchor/Epley Real Estate
- 109 Main
- Grocery - 1906
- D. G./Dry Goods - 1914
- Osborn & Miller Grocery - 1920
- 'S' - 1924-1937
- Upstairs - dentist - 1930's
- Iga Grocery
September 11, 1980 - Culver News Agency Changes Ownership...Culver [William ]Taber was a meat cutter across
the street from Walter Magee (recently Quality Market) for 10 1/2 years [1945-1956]...
- Quality Grocery - ?-1952-? Strader's & Jordans
- Quality Grocery - Strader's
- Quality Grocery - Jim James
- Country Cousins (Antique Shop) - 1980's early 1990's - Thelma Hodges
- ?
- Celebutante Hair Designs (Rod & Laura Caudill)- 1986 - 199_
- ?
- Shoreline Specialties - Kristina Privett 2004-
Christina and Charles Privett have opened a new shop, Shoreside
Specialties on Main Street where Interiors Views was located. Chock full of fun
products including South Bend Chocolates and gourmet coffees, it is a must.
Has since moved to 301 Akron St.
see
- Empty [Owner - Frederick A. Karst]
- Diva - 2007
- 111 S. Main
- Culver Clothing House - Feb 1906 Mitchell & Stabenow
- Mitchell & Stabenow Dry Goods 1910, 1914 - John Mitchell &
Otto Stabenow
- Apartment Upstairs - first Stabenow's then Werner's
- Mithchell & Stabenow Mens Clothing -1920 -?1954
- Upstairs - Telephone Exchange - 1924-1930-'s
- Adam's Men's and Boys' Wear Clothing 1954-7
- Apartment Upstairs- Storage ?
- Culver Clothiers
- Apartment Upstairs- Storage ?
- Andy's
- Apartment Upstairs- Storage ?
- Fisher's & Co. - Pamela Fisher
- Lot Main St.
- Culver Reservations LLC 1/2 & Pamela Fisher 1/2
- 113 Main
- S. S. - 1906
- furniture store - 15 Jfb. 1906 - J. F> Weis & Ezra Hawkins
- Grocery Crocekry - 1914
- Home Grocery
- W. E. Hand/Hand & Co. Grocery - 1920-1930's
- 1920-1a Werner Jewlery Store, Howard Werner
moved from across street (1911)/1924-1937 as 'S' / later upstairs
- 1920-1b Home Theater - John Osborn &(according to David Burns); - 1924-1937 - ?
John Werner describes this building as follows:
Along about 1920 or 1921 my father decided it was time for a change to improve his business. To this end he rented a
small store across the street in the next block which was in the actual "business district" in Culver.
The store that he rented was one-half of a standard sized store and actually consisted of about one-half of the front
entrance of a theater that Mr. John Osborn was opening. This theater was built backwards with the screen in the front
near the entrance and showed silent films only, since talking pictures had not yet been invented...
until Mr. Osborn decided to enlarge the front of his theater to make it look like a conventional theater. He had already
reversed the screen to the back where it should have been all the time. To make this screen shift meant that we lost
about three fourths of our back porch, but we didn't mind since the projection booth was now just outside our back
door...
- M& M Restaurant 1959-1972 Mildred Ditmire & Marcella White
- Home Restaurant 1972- ?
- Restaurant - Janice Sensinbaugh
- Nan lous Restaurant 197_-1986 Nancy Curtis & Louise Measels
- Cafe Max - 1986- ?, Susie Mahler
- 115 Main
- Harness Shop - 1906
- Vacant - 1914
- 'S' - 1924-1937
- Waite's Plumbing Shop - Cifford Waite
- Culver City Tavern - 1952
1958 November 19 – The license of the Culver City Tavern is suspended temporarily...
- Al's TV & Appliance (Al Systma)
- Cafe Max expansanded to in 2000's - JD-ONE JD-TWO INC
- 117 Main
- Tin Shop 1906
- Grocery - c 1910
- Off. - 1914
- Pool Hall/Listenberger pool room - 1914
- Auto in back - 1914
- 'S' - 1924-1937
- ?- July 1952 Culver News Agency - Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Slaughter
- ?- Nov 1952 Culver News Agency -Mr. and Mrs. H. Serrin
1952 - July 2 – Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Slaughter announce the sale of the Culver News Agency to Mr. and Mrs. H. Serrin
of Plymouth…
1952 - November 26 – The Culver News Agency moved from the corner of Main and Madison Street to the Wickizer Building
- Corner Tavern - ?-1952-?
- Along the side street by the corner tavern was a hitching rail
of iron. We kids loved to skin the cat on it a few times as we were going home
from school. - Donna Medbourn Edgington
- Apartment Upstairs
- Corner Tavern Bernie & __
- Corner Tavern - Jeff Honzik & ? 1988-199_
- Corner Tavern - Jeff Honzik
- Empty
- Corndance Cafe 200?- ? George & Tamera J. Pesek
- Corn Dance Cafe Annex Upstairs - 200? - ? George & Tamera J. Pesek
Madison St.
- 203 Main
- Dwelling - 1906-1937
- Dr. F. L. & Mary Babcock Residence
- Empty?
- Main Street Manor - 2004 - David & Susan Beggs, James H. Wisniewski
A new bed and breakfast, Main Street Manor is under construction at the
corner of Madison and Main Streets. As work continues the new shape
emerges and promises to be another new delight for our community.
- 203 Main - Empty Lot
- Dwelling 1906-1937
- torn down in the late 1960's
- Lot - Dr. F. L. & Mary Babock
- Lot - David & Susan Beggs, James H. Wisniewski
- 219 Main - Empty Lot
- empty lot 1906-1937
- Lot - Dr. F. L. & Mary Babock
- Lot - David & Susan Beggs, James H. Wisniewski
- 3 residences
Marmont St.
- residence
- Dwelling - 1906-1937/B. W. S. Wiseman (Dr.)
- Norman M. "Max" & Jane (Taber) Scruggs 19?-19__
- Scruggs
Clover St.
- 315 S. Main
- dwelling - 1906-1937
- E. J. Yocum - 1952 - Veterinarian
- dwelling - 1906-1937 - tore down l960's
- dwelling - 1906-1937 - tore down l960's
- EUB Church - Parking Lot ?1960's?
-
Mill St.
- 401 S. Main St
- 401 S. Main St
- EUB Parsonage 190?-2005/6
- Kipp's Residence - 2006
- 419 S. Main St
- Ezra Hawkins 1903-1944
- Burns Residence - 1944-200_
- 4__ S, Main St.
- House 1914 part of 419 s. Main property
- House 1924-1937
- Mildred Ditmire property 19__- 1980's
- Robart's Rental Property 1980's-200_
- 4__ S. Main St.
- Candy Shop - between 1914 and 1924 - David Burns said use was this at one time & owned by Youngs?
- Mildred Ditmire property 19__- 1980's
- Robart's Rental Property 1980's-200_
Hawkins Court - T's into Main St. on the west , alley on the east
- 439 S. Main St.
- ?-1961 Samuel Woods residence/ Samauel Woods Sales & Service
- Engine Repair Shop - Mike Fitterling
- 196_- Jack Keyser Residence & machine Shop
- residential Area
Winfield St. - T's into Main St. on the east
- residential Area
Davis St. - T's into Main St.
- 527 S. Main (Corner of Main & Davis St)
- Sam's Cities Service Station
- 535 S. Main (Corner of Main & Davis St)
- Gas Station -? Al Barsh Owned
- Empty - Al Barsh Owned
- Hammer's Garage 1989/90 - ?
- Re-Max/Oak Crest Real Estate - Pam Baker
- 530 S. Ohio (Corner of Main & Davis St)
- Sperry's Restaurant -- 9 yrs. James W. & Margaret Sperry
- Pinders Resturant 19?-_200?
- Fishbarn
- Marmont Grill
- Farm land now only - was a house & barns on the hill about where Tampa St. is think the lane to buildings was
- ? Duddleson
- George Franz 187A - 1957
- Lela Bell (Bussard) Sperry
- Rod Martindale
- Roberts 32A
Pardo St. - T's into Main St. on the east
Tampa St. - T's into Main St. on the east
Batabano St. - T's into Main St. on the east
Wabash St. - T's into Main St. on the east
- Farm land now only - was a house & barns on the hill about where Tampa St. is think the lane to buildings was
- ? Duddleson
- George Franz 187A - 1957
- Mc Gee 32A
- 1155 S. Main - a part of the 187A listed above.
- George Granz Residence
- George's Place (Bait Shop)- 1979-2000 George Franz he opened 'George's
Place' a bait shop in the basement of their home at 1155 S. Main St. and then built a seperate building for
the business behind the house
__ Tammarack & W. Shore Dr. Pierson's Corner 1989 1990-1991
W. Shore Dr. - T's into Main St.
Tamarack Rd. - T's into Main St. from the south
...THANKS for the memories...
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