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Island History-
This building is the oldest retail establishment still standing on
the island. It was built in 1850 by George Kelley to combine the
functions of a store and post office having its original quarters on
the Steam Boat Dock and that of his small home operated canteen.
George, son of Irad Kelley, was then living in his uncle Datus'
former home, and owned the large 55 acre tract west of Division
Street on which this store was built. Here he sold groceries, dry
goods, and hardware. The store soon became, in the words of an 1888
guide, "the headquarters for the whole island, rich and poor alike"
where they could get their mail, send telegrams, and exchange tails.
Because of its popularity as a meeting place, it became known as
"The Lodge". Trade and barter were accepted the first 40 years. The
Post Office was also located here until 1884, after being formally
organized in 1854.
In 1854, William S. Webb exchanged his quarry for the store business
with George Kelley retaining ownership of the building. Alfred S.
Kelley. second son of Datus Kelley, soon bought out Webb and ran
"The Lodge" for many years, being known to his cronies as "the fat
man on the corner". He was helped by Jerry Dean, then Eratus
Huntington, with the later gradually taking over management by 1880.
Eratus in turn, took Titus Hamilton as partner, then in 1899 selling
him his share of the business and leaving the island.
John Reinheimer succeeded Hamilton in 1904. By this time two other
stores, The General Store, and Elfer's Store were competing for the
island business with more modern facilities, and trade at the Lodge
had fallen off. By the time the business was bought by Patrick
Murphy and brother in 1915, stock was limited, and by 1927 when the
building was acquired by Joseph Matso, it was put to another use.
Up until this time the building remained in the hands of the George
Kelley family. Some time before 1874 a warehouse, boot and shoe
repair store, and meat market were all built along Division Street
by the Kelleys with a contiguous roof line from the north wall of
the Lodge. However, the dates and order in which they were built is
not known. The Lodge itself remained essentially the same for the
first 30 years. Then in 1885, at the same time that August Scheadler
was building his new general store on Division Street, Henry Kelley,
son of George Kelley, made extensive repairs and improvements,
adding a new front, raising the ceiling, installing new shelving,
and enlarging the office. In 1890 Titus Hamilton next added a new
arcaded porch to match that of the new Post Office building being
erected next door..
When the building was purchased by Joseph Matso, he converted it to
a confectionery, later using it as a real estate office, and briefly
as a barber shop. Finally, after prohibition in 1932, he acquired a
liquor license and operated it as a bar. Mr. Matso had come to the
island in 1916 to work in the quarry, but receiving a severe leg
injury there he bought this new source of livelihood. His son,
Russell, operated the bar for some time before he sold it and it
became the Water Street Cafe and the Winking Lizard. It has been
sold again and is now operating as the Captain's Corner.
Source:
"The National Register Inventory
for Kelley Island" by Kevin and Betty Pape
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