LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - DECEMBER 4, 2022 by Lynne Belluscio #1 – Town Hall – Many people in LeRoy remember when this building was Murphy’s Five and Dime. After the store was moved toWest Main, the buildingwas renovated in 2003. It now is the office of the Town Supervisor, Town Clerk, Zoning Board, and the LeRoy Court. #2 – Site of the Lampson Block – The Lampson Block was one of the grandest buildings on Main Street. It was built in 1873. An open arcade ran through the middle of the main floor. The upper floors provided meeting rooms and the best hotel rooms in town. The building survived a major fire in 1903 and was rebuilt. The building was destroyed by fire in 1945. Several new buildings occupy the site today. #3 – Wiss Corner – The Deveaux store was on this site in 1802. It shared space with the Globe and Eagle Tavern which was known for its huge sign with a large golden eagle perched on a globe. It has been known as the Graves Tavern, Ballard’s Tavern, the Collins House, and Michel House. A third floor was added and a huge porte cochere was erected over Main Street. In 1869, the tavern was purchased by John Wiss. It closed in 2005 and the building was razed in 2013. A decorative portico over the side entrance was removed and is now inside the Eagle Hotel, on Main Street. The building behind the Wiss, which is still standing, was a livery stable and the establishment of Dr. Sutterby, a veterinarian. Intersection of Route 5 and Route 19. Lake Street continues north to Lake Ontario. Clay Street is named for Kentucky Senator, Henry Clay. #4 – Village Hall – This brick and stucco building was designed by Rochester architect Claude Bragdon and was erected in 1913 at a cost of $22,500. The property was given to the Village by Cora Woodward, widow of Orator F. Woodward. The cast bronze bell is inscribed “Clock and Bell bought by the Citizens and Friends of LeRoy, N.Y. 1914.” The three arched windows to the right of the main entrance were originally doors for the fire department which has since moved around the corner. The building is used by the Village Clerk, Mayor, the LeRoy police department, and the Municipal Historian. Notice the historic marker. #5 – Presbyterian Church – Organized in 1812, the construction of the church building did not occur until 1825. The steeple was built in 1866. The pillars and GreekRevival porticowere added in 1955. The church was the site of many abolition meetings in the early 1800s and Frederick Douglass spoke here. The Church was placed on the National Register in 2014. Notice the historic marker. #6 – McDonald’s – After much community discussion, McDonalds was built. It was on the former site of a gas station. The drive through entrance to McDonalds is located on the site of the home of Dr. William McPherson, which in 1927, had become Lally’s restaurant. Later it was known as the LeRoy Dining Grill and later the White House Restaurant. The front porch of Lally’s was replaced with the diner from the Grove Motel at it became known as the Sterling Diner. It was razed in 1980. #7–CapishRestaurant –This building is constructed of local limestone and was originally a bank. Look closely at the architectural details: the carved limestone stylized flowers, the leaded glass window, and the red mortar between the limestone blocks. For many LeRoyans this building is remembered as Mickey’s Bar. #8 – The Ross Block 1885 – The building was named for John C. Ross. The front of the building is made of iron that was cast in Buffalo at the Washington Foundry. A photograph of the south side of Main Street, shows a flag flying from the top of this building. This flag advised people of the coming weather which was relayed by telegraph to the train station. The color of the flag indicated the weather for the day. #9 – Thompkins Bank of Castile – This corner was occupied by the Maloney Block which burned in 1960. The Maloney block was built in 1876 after the Starr Block burned in 1875. A fire destroyed almost all of the south side of Main Street, from the Ross Block to the corner of Bank Street. The Maloney Block was the home of the Genesee Courier and the LeRoy Opera House. Bank Street – was named for the Bank on the east corner of the street #10 – Former Shelby’s Jewelry Store on the corner of Bank Street and Main Street – This building was the home of one of LeRoy’s earliest banks and has just recently been renovated. #11 – Former office of Dr. Anthony Gugino, a dentist, and his father. The building was also a grocery store. #12 – Odd Fellows Lodge – Formerly Sweet Betty’s – Notice the three links near the top of the building which stand for Friendship, Love and Truth. #13 – The Smokin’Eagle Tavern – the original tavern was a small building operated by Auntie Wemple. In 1825, James Ganson erected this building with bricks manufactured by LeRoy’s first brickmaker, Uni Hulbert. The addition to the west was added two years later with a passage between the two buildings which allowed stagecoaches to enter the livery in the rear. The passageway was removed in 1848. The first Village meeting was held at the Eagle Hotel on May 5, 1834.Abrass plaque on the exterior commemorates the Sesquicentennial Celebration in 1984. The expansive front porch was removed in 1937. #14 – Farmer’s Creekside – This stone building is one of the oldest in the village. It originally was Ballard’s hat factory, and the felt hats made of beaver fur were laid out to dry outside. In the early 1900s, it was the home to Percy Hooker, the first State Highway Commissioner. Later it was the home and office of Dr, Knoll. It became a restaurant and bar and was nearly destroyed by fire. It has been renovated into a bed and breakfast and restaurant. #15 – Main Street Bridge and Dam – There have been five bridges across the Oatka Creek. The first bridge was made of wood in three days in 1802. It was washed out and replaced. An iron bridge was built in 1855. It was replaced by a cement bridge in 1908 and that bridge was replaced in 1976. The first dam was Walking Tour of LeRoy 3 2 9
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