104 WEST MARKET STREET On September 7, 2014, fire claimed the building at this address known to Canal Fulton residents as the Exchange Bank Building. For over 100 years, this building has withstood the march of time, the fire of 1901 that destroyed buildings from the Labbe building up the the present VFW, and the flood of 1913. Built in 1898, many businesses and people invested parts of their lives in this buildings interiors. When Mr E.R. Held moved his bank business to this building, it had already housed the Broadbecks Cash Store and Mr. Whallens and partner, Elmer Shillings business of dry goods, notions, draperies, and millinery. Mr. Held was the founder of the Exchange Bank Company of Canal Fulton and it was organized June 29, 1914. According to a town resident that kept records of the history of this building, Henry and Lillie Senners bakery occupied the building with their ovens in the basement. On the second floor, the Canal Fulton Signal office was located, with Mr. J. L. Hoover listed as the owner. On the second floor of the right side of the building was a lodge room where the CMBA held meetings before they moved to the Hammer Building. The rest of the upstairs became apartments. The rear of the first floor at one point was a smoke shop and candy store owned by Frank Morrow. Before the post office was relocated to Cherry Street, it was located on the first floor on the left side of the building. Many people will recall how their mail box was on the wall. Sometimes they checked their mail ever day and passed the time of day with other people doing the same. In later years, Ed Harriman, President of the Exchange Bank, became one of the most influential men in the community. His involvement in the preservation of the history of the town and his dedication to the bank and its customers will be remembered by many. In 2014, the downstairs of the building was occupied by SMITH CNC-USA LLL and the upstairs was divided into apartments at the time of the fire. Watching the building burn on September 7, one could only imagine what the people felt that watched the fire in 1901 that destroyed so many buildings or the Opera House fire in 1930. Bystanders at all these Canal Fulton fires must have felt a part of their lives were going up in smoke also. The inability to stop the tragedy kept the people there for hours as the towns landscape changed forever. What Now? The question that many people are asking. It seems the answer is the building will be torn down. For so many people, this decision will tug at their hearts for a part of their memories will be gone and that makes us clutch at the idea the building can be saved. In the reality of this economy, this option seems noble but unreachable. The strain of this decision will be felt both mentally and physically by the Hatfield family who have been a part of preserving the history of this town for many many years. Days Gone By hopes the community will accept the familys decision and begin a new chapter in the history of this town we call home as it has done after each of the other fires in Canal Fulton, Ohio... Let the healing begin... Thank You
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 02:15:05 +0000