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This is a contributing entry for Ada Ohio Walking Tour and only appears as part of that tour.Learn More.
The business section of Main Street in Ada stretches just three blocks and straddles the key Pennsylvania Railroad line that once held an important role in the village’s growth. Several turn-of-the-century buildings flank this short stretch of road, with datestones still visible on some façades. From dirt, to brick, and finally to asphalt, the street has seen many businesses, held countless events, and witnessed the growth of the village of Ada.

This 1910s postcard depicts the 100 block of South Main Street. The building on the far left now houses the Cask Room.

Sky, Town, House, Residential area

Picture of Liberty Bank sometime after 1902 in the building that is now Cole-Humphrey Insurance. The date of the building can be seen at the top of the façade but has since been removed.

Building, Architecture, History, House

The Brewer Block building (108 North Main St.) formerly housed the local post office, located immediately across the train tracks from the Pennsylvania Rail Depot. In this photograph (date unknown), the double track and brick Main Street are both visible.

Building, Town, Transport, Architecture

Present day picture of Brewer Block which has remained mostly the same throughout the years.

Property, Building, Residential area, House

A picture of Main Street looking looking north from the 1890s-era.

Town, Street, History, Architecture

Present day picture of the 1890s photo taken from the 100 block of Main Street.

Road, Residential area, Lane, Asphalt

A picture of the 1900 "Young" building featuring the unique stained glass window of a flower. The building is currently occupied by Reichert's Clothing & Shoes store.

Property, Building, House, Architecture

November 1919 election where the banner reads "Vote Ohio Dry on Nov. 3"

Crowd, Thoroughfare, Street, History

Military parade comprised of Ada's G Company National Guard unit.

Text, Art, History, Picture frame

A 1909 photo showing a crowded Main Street with Brewers Block shown to the right. The building to the far left is now the Regale Beagle that still has the distinct beak in the center of the building.

Crowd, Paper product, History, Stock photography

Picture of Main Street around Christmas time in the 1950s.

Snapshot, Night, Monochrome, Black-and-white

A more recent picture from 1966 showing the May Day Parade in Ada with an elaborate float for a small town.

Marketplace, Transport, Pedestrian, Mode of transport

Advertisement from January 1894 for City Meat Market selling beef.

Text, Font

There are a couple of buildings in Ada that are sure to catch the eye of someone who may be passing through. If coming from the north, the large First United Methodist Church can be seen on the right with the more modern Ada Public Library on the left. Continuing south, at 115 North Main St. is a white and green building with unique brickwork and ‘Cole-Humphrey Insurance’ written in cursive on the side. Once making it over the railroad track, an onlooker will likely notice a modern building housing Liberty National Bank on the left and another church on the right followed by the one screen Ada Theatre with a noticeable marquee in the front. Now, approaching the campus of Ohio Northern University, most of the more beautiful and historic building architecture was likely missed.

When traveling again from north to south, the first block after the First United Methodist Church includes two three-story buildings. The first is occupied by Grimslid & Hood law attorneys at 231 North Main St. and is titled “Tressel Block 1914” which, for any football fan, will probably stick out. Lee Tressel, father of the former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, was born in Ada, Ohio and came from a family rooted in the village. Continuing down the street, many of the buildings all have similar names and dates below the façades of the brick buildings. One of the most unique buildings on Main Street that must be mentioned is the rustic yellow building located on the west side of the street just south of the railroad track. This building has the date ‘1900’ engraves in the stone with the name “B.S. Young” eloquently placed between the 19 and the 00. On the second floor, a stained-glass window of a flower acts as the building’s centerpiece.

The stained-glass window is not the only beauty that can be found through this three block stretch of road. Just a couple doors down, at 117 South Main St., is a red and white building that has a staircase leading up to the second story. The staircase is open to the environment and has two cast iron pillars flanking either side of the entrance, which aid in holding up the building above. On either side of this building are a couple of additional architectural attractions in the form of decorative eaves that give a 1900s feel to the block. By taking a couple of moments to really observe Main Street in Ada, the architecture does not stop at the couple of buildings mentioned. Remember the Cole-Humphrey Insurance building, it too has stunning brickwork and decorative designs above each of the windows. An old picture of this building can be located above which shows it serving as a First Liberty Bank and includes the date of 1881 displayed on the roof (this likely had to be removed due to structural issues and can't be seen today).

Prior to the turn-of-the-century, Main Street served a different purpose than what it does now. The road was brick and occupied by horses and buggies. Main Street was where everyone of the village went to get any necessary item instead of traveling to the nearest Walmart. To get groceries, one would likely visit Keystone Grocery on Bauman block, or go to F.L. Rice on Young block (same building as the stained-glass window). To get meat, there was J.W. McCafferty who was also located next to Young block. There is a picture of an advertisement above from an 1894 newspaper that describes McCafferty selling beef for just 6-10 cents a pound! This was the case for just about everything, residents of the village went to Main Street for harnesses and saddlery, stoves and tin ware, Blacksmiths, and even for jewelry. The unique architecture that is still seen in downtown Ada serves as a reminder of what this small village was built on; it just takes a moment to pause and truly observe the buildings to appreciate what still stands.

“Historical Ada.” The Ada Icon, www.adaicon.com/news/historical-ada. 

“REMINISCE.” Adaohiohistorical, www.adaohiohs.com/reminisce. 

"Ada Business Directory," The Ada Record, 31 January 1894, p. 2.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

https://www.adaohiohs.com/reminisce

http://www.adaicon.com/news/historical-ada

http://www.adaicon.com/photo/202005/adas-brewer-block

http://www.adaicon.com/photo/202005/adas-brewer-block

https://www.adaohiohs.com/reminisce

http://www.adaicon.com/news/historical-ada

Jared Fox

http://www.adaicon.com/news/historical-ada

https://www.adaohiohs.com/reminisce

https://www.adaohiohs.com/reminisce

http://www.adaicon.com/news/historical-ada

http://www.adaicon.com/news/historical-ada

http://ada.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=brewer%20block&i=f&d=01011859-12311905&m=between&ord=k1&fn=the_ada_record_usa_ohio_ada_18940131_english_2&df=1&dt=10