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Island History-
The structure of this building has been altered as its function has
changed through time. Beginning with the establishment of an
appointed Post Master on Kelleys Island in 1854, the Post Office was
originally housed in the corner store known as The Lodge. As long as
the early postmasters (George Kelley, W. S. Webb, Alfred S. Ke11ey
and Erastus Huntington) were associated with that establishment, the
office remained in The Lodge. However, when Frederick Elfers
was appointed Post Master in 1884, he added an annex to his Division
Street store and moved the Post Office there. In 1890. with a change
in management of this store to William Burger, the annex was used
for Burger's undertaker's office, and the post office had to be
relocated.
At that time this building was erected by Gustavus Fell to house
the Post Office. A barber shop and, on the second floor, a social
hall and doctor's office were also incorporated. Emmett Martin, son
of Frederick and Julia Amanda Martin, was the barber. There was a
succession of Post Masters until 1915 when Frank Reinheimer was
appointed. He took over the management of the General Store from
Burger in 1921 and again moved the Post Office into that store's
annex where it remained until 1974.
The second function of this building began when Emmett Martin
converted the former Post Office space to a confectionery. Later,
with the increase in automobile traffic, he installed gas pumps and
sold oil and some auto and farm equipment carts. In 1925 a small
frame structure, said to have been a quarry building, was moved into
the gap between the Martin building and the corner store and pool
tables were set up there. After prohibition, Emmet's brother
Charles set up a bar in the main section, converting the insert to
an ice cream parlor. During the 1940's, this became the gathering place
for the island younger generation. During Charles Martin's ownership the buildings
were enlarged and a third story was added to the main section
to be used for living quarters. This original building was expanded to
the west, and an addition was made across the back of both
buildings, providing kitchen space and added dining facilities.
Under the present owner it became a combined bar and restaurant with pool
tables once again set up in the insert.
Source:
"The National Register Inventory
for Kelley Island" by Kevin and Betty Pape
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