North-side Public Square #100-#108

Medina Public Square Historic District, 145 acres and 15 buildings added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, #75001483

Architectural Style – Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire

Period of Significance – 1824-1924

#100 East Liberty Street: Free Will Church–c.1846, Princess Block–c.1913



Free Will Church, (1846-1860)

1.  The old frame Free Will Church on North East corner of East Liberty Street was first a Universalist Church. The Old Free Church was built by Universalist preacher called Rev.Tarbell in 1846. The Universalist Church couldn’t afford to finish it, so they sold it to United Brethren who then sold it to an abolitionist organization of the Congregational Church ‘Free Church of Medina’. A private school in Old Free Church was taught by Alfred Watters in 1849. Judge Barnard’s school was in basement of Old Free Church in 1858. It was a Free Church until 1860.

Stoaks Carriage Manufacturer, Thomas J. Stoaks, Prop. (1868–1875)

1.  W. L. Stoaks rented a cottage (house) two lots west to Horn and Andrew in 1874, now #108 East Liberty Street on North Public Square.

Horn and Andrew Wagon Company, Henry Horn and Joseph Andrew, Props.(1875–1879)

1.  Stoaks and Bergey Wagon Company became Horn and Andrew Wagons here in 1875.

Dealing Carriages and Buggies, O. B. Dealing, Prop. (1880-1885)

1.  O. B. Dealing sells buggies in rooms formerly occupied by the Medina Fire Department.

Medina Village Fire Department. 1880 (Now #101 North Public Square.)

Medina Carriage Company, (1886-1890)

Dr. J. L.  Bean, Physician Office  (1890-1895)

1.  Dr. Bean's Office next to old Free Church (Now #101 North Public Square).

William Herthneck and Frank Gunkelman bought the old wood Congregational Church and made it into a wagon shop in 1890,                 

1.  Gunkelman did wood work, Herthneck was the blacksmith, H.F. Handy was the painter and Tom Stoakes did the trimming.

Caswell and Gunkelman Buggies and Wagons, Ophra Dean Caswell and Frank Gunkelman, Prop. (1890-1904)

1.  They became a new carriage repository in 1900 and they also sell rubber tire road carts in 1900,

2.  The establishment covers a space of 50’ x 100’ and is three stories in height, each floor being occupied by some portion of the work; there being a blacksmith shop, paint room, the work shop, the office and a large repository and a sales room

3.  Chief among the output of this business is the “Gunkelman Gear” for use on top vehicles and road wagons of all kinds. This celebrated gear is the invention of Mr. Gunkelman and is covered by two patents first issued in 1890 and the latter in 1892.

4.  These gears are made of the best of spring steel and are guaranteed in all vehicles. There are 6000 now in use on every style of buggy or wagon.

Edward D. Wells Carriages and Blacksmithing, (1904–1909)

1.  Wells bought the #100 Gunkleman Block at the  corner of North Broadway and Public Square opposite the Congregational Church and did exterior repairs on 2nd floor, carriages, horse shoeing, look for the big wheel in 1904. E. D. Wells retired from carriage sales in 1909.

Medina Library Association, (1905-1907)

1.  They moved in 1907 to new Sylvester Library Building at 210 South Broadway Street.

2.  Medina Library Association sold lot #82 with a little frame building on the north side of the Public Square with 19’ frontage occupied by the library until 1907. They sold it to Fred M. Branch for $1500.

3.  Edward D. Wells sold the Old Free Church and the old public library buildings (#101-102) to Fred M. Branch (the casket maker) for $875 in 1910.                                               

4.  Fred M. Branch bought E. D. Wells property between this lot and the east corner 50’ front x 100’ deep for $3000 in 1910,

5.  A large frame building on Northeast corner for rent by Fred M. Branch in 1910.

6.  Fred. M. Branch left Medina in 1915.

Rieder Upholstery Shop, John Rieder, Prop. (1911–1913)

Bowman Automobile Garage, William E. Bowman, Prop. (1912–1913)

1.  William E. Bowman rented from F.M. Branch the Old Free Will Church building. at the northeast corner of the Square and will remodel it for an Overland automobile garage in 1912.

People’s Feed Store, J. A. Wilson and Michael Conway, Prop. (1911–1913)

1.  Rented the ground floor of the Old Free Will Church building at the northeast corner of the square and will establish a business dealing in hay and grain in 1911.

2.  Fred M. Branch and Henry Gardner working with architect and contractor for a new Opera house on the Branch lot on the north side of Public Square just west of the Congregational Church in 1912.

3.  O. I. Shaw razed the old Free Will Church and 2 frame buildings for new theater in 1913.

4.  Architect William Clark of Pittsburgh says old frame buildings will be covered with brick veneer to form part of the new Princess Theater Company in 1913.

Princess Theatre, (1913-1938)

1.  Original silver screen was painted on wall and was replaced by a perforated screen allowing sound to come through in movie “talkies days.”

2.  Theatre had a small balcony.

3.  John Beck was the Princess Theatre organist in Princess Theater Block from 1913 to 1915.

4.  It became the Shine’s Princess Theatre, with W. Henry Gardner and Fred. M. Branch as new managers in 1914.

4a. 1918-The Princess theater resumed movies last Saturday evening after a two weeks shutdown. Henry Gardner will have the management for the next six months, succeeding his partner, Fred M. Branch of Lakewood, who has had it during the spring and summer.

4b..  Collins & Harlan, the team of American singers Arthur Collins and Byron G. Harlan, formed a popular comic duo between 1903 and 1926. They sang ragtime standards as well as what were known as "coon songs" – music sung by white performers in a black dialect. Their material also employed many other stereotypes of the time including Irishmen and farmers. Rival recording artist Billy Murray nicknamed them "The Half-Ton Duo" as both men were rather overweight. Collins and Harlan produced many number one hits with recordings of minstrel songs such as "My Gal Irene", "I Know Dat I'll be Happy Til I Die", "Who Do You Love?" and "Down Among the Sugarcane". Their song "That Funny Jas Band from Dixieland", recorded November 8, 1916, is among the first recorded uses of the word "jas" which eventually evolved to "jass", and to the current spelling "jazz".

4c. During a personal appearance at the Princess Theater in Medina, Ohio on October 20, 1921, Arthur Francis Collins was severely injured when he fell through an open trap door. While he recovered well enough to resume his singing and recording career, his health began to decline afterward and in 1926, Collins retired, relocating to Florida with his wife. He died at the age of 69 in Tice, Florida on August 3, 1933.

 5.  W. Henry Gardner sold the building to Ben Yudelevitz and George Willis who had been leasing it in 1924. Ben Yudelevitz operated the theater for 25 years.

6.  A fine new canopy name was put on three sides in 1929.

7.  Vitaphone speaking movies were installed in 1929, 1st town its size to get one, plus new seats and decorating, drapes in 1929. Princess Theatre in 1930 remodeled and $1000 fireproof insulation added in 1934.

8.  Drapes and a new Thermax ceiling added to Princess Theatre to add to the sound feature of modern film and  also toilet rooms and lounges added in 1934.

9.  A new neon sign over the theatre marquee in 1936 and theatre remodeled in 1937 with new seats and a sound system.

10. Gazette Article Dec 31, 1937; Princess Theater now Shine’s Princess Theater. Shine-Medina is part of a chain of 100 theatres operated by Willis and Yudelitz in 1937.

11. Theatre called “The House of the Good Talkie” in 1937.

Princess Theatre, Fred Lentz, Mgr. (1939-1950)

1.  Theater closed from 1938-1943 due to WWII and reopened with Western movies on Saturday and Sunday, with Fred Lentz as Manager in 1943.

2.  The Princess Theater closed in 1950 and the Marquee was removed in 1951.

Church of the Nazarene, (1943-1945)

1.  Church of the Nazarene moved to Princess Theatre in 1943.

2.  Entrance to the Church was located on the North Broadway Street side of the Princess Block.

Liberty Street Church of Christ, Rev. Chas Hendershot, (1946-1950)

United States Social Security Office, (1951-1952)                                                               

Ohio Fuel Gas Company, Fred Haas, Mgr. (1953–1963)

1.  Old Princess Theater was a theater for 40 years and was sold to Ohio Fuel Gas a for show room in 1953.

2.  Building remodeled and a new entire front of glass for $50,000 in 1953. Added display cases designed by company engineers and made by W. R. Clark and Son of Medina for air conditioning, a dream display kitchen and cooking demo area, tile and brick walls, wall ovens, kitchen fireplace, and countertop ranges.

Columbia Gas of Ohio, Fred Haas, Mgr. (1963–1971)

1.  Ohio Fuel Gas Company name changed to Columbia Gas Company of Ohio.

Ohio State Bank, (1974–1975)

Medina County Bank, (1976-1978)

BancOhio National Bank, (1979-1985)

National City Bank of Cleveland, (1985–2006)

National City Mortgage, (2006–2014)

National City Investment, (2007–2010)

Vacant, (2011-2016)

Polish Pottery, Kevin Holton, Prop. (2016–Present)

Liberty Baptist Church, (2003-Present)

#100 East Liberty Street, 2nd Floor, Princess Block

The Hive, #C, Loft Rental Unit, Virginia Hall, Lessor, (2019-Present)

1.  An all new rare luxury urban loft rental unit of 1,500 sq. ft. on Medina's historic square that is truly one of a kind with views of the historic Medina County Courthouse and the United Church of Christ.

2.  Private entrance on Broadway Street Side of building, with private parking.

#101 East Liberty Street: Princess Block–c.-1913

Medina Gas and Fuel Company, (1913–1916)

1.  Natural gas was first piped into Medina by Medina Fuel and Gas in 1911.

Anderson Plumbing and Gas Fittings, S. W. Anderson, Prop.  (1916–1919)

Princess Restaurant, Mrs. Edith Gardner Prop. (1920–1922)

White Front Restaurant, Earl Funk Prop., Mrs. Clara Merkle, Mgr. (1922–1924)

Willard Rozell Photo Gallery, Willard G. Rozell, Prop. (1924–1927)

1.  Opens photo gallery in rooms vacated by Earl Funk restauranteur.

2.  Rozell will also engage in amateur Kodak finishing.

Sailer’s Clothes of Quality, John Sailer, Prop. (1928–1933)

Medina Paint and Wall Paper Store, Frank Blazek, Prop. (1934–1937)

Medina Floor Covering, W. R. Brookins, Prop. (1938–1943)

Princess Frock Shop, Murray Klaas, Prop. (1944–1947)

Princess Frock Shop, Thomas Coloros, Prop. (1947–1963)

1.  Princess Frock Shop remodeled with Perma-stone front in 1947.

Vogue Kitchens, (1963–1965)

Land Title Guarantee and Trust, (1965–1976)

Gerspacher CIM Company, (1977-1979)

Brubaker, Helfrich and Taylor CPA, (1980–1981)

Hausser and Taylor, CPA, (1982-1984)

Sophisticated Lady and Tux, (1985–1989)

Vacant, (1990–1991)

Custom Amish Traditions, (1992–1993)

Family Mediation Services, (1993-1994)

Ravenna Savings, (1995–2000)

Vacant, 2001-2003

Karaoke Company of Medina, (2004-2005)

Vacant, 2006-2008

Creativity to Go, (2009–2010)

4 Ladies and More Consignment Boutique, Sue Mitchell, Prop. (2011–2018)

Queen Bee’s Closet, Cherish Derrig, Prop. (2018-Present)

1.  A thrift and consignment store featuring brand new and upscale consignment women’s, children’s and men’s apparel and accessories.

2.  Cherish Derrig has been in Medina for many years and has been a photographer with her own business for 15 years.

#102-106 East Liberty Street: Princess Block– c.1913, 2nd Floor

R. A. Loehr Automobile Office and Store Room, (1915–1916)  

H. H. Hartzog, (1916 -1917)

Foice Porter Bagley, Auctioneer, (1917–1920)

Codding, Bagley and Case Insurance Agency, (1917–1921)

E. A. Strout Real Estate, H. W. Codding, Mgr. (1917–1922)

E. A. Strout Real Estate, H. W. Codding, Mgr. (1917–1922)

Reuben. J. Hyde and Wayland A. Hyde Insurance Agency, (1922–1925)

Harry. W. Codding sold his insurance business in Princess Block to Wayland A. Hyde in 1922.

Arbor Gish, (1923–1925)

Wayland A. Hyde and Foice Bagley Insurance Agency, (1925-1929)

Harry W. Codding sold Strout Farm Agency (realty and insurance) in Princess Block to Reuben and Wayland Hyde and Foice Bagley in 1925,

Reuben J. Hyde and William Wheeler Real Estate Agency, (1925-1929)

In 1925, the Strout Farm Agency was divided into two separate Agencies with Wayland A. Hyde and Foice Bagley working the insurance business and Reuben J. Hyde and William Wheeler handling the real estate business sharing offices in the Princess Block's second floor.

VanEpp and Porter, Attorneys, Arthur VanEpp and David D. Porter, (1927-1929)

1.  David D. Porter, Attorney moved into the Burnham house 1929-1931.

Robert J. Emslie, MD, (1933-1940)

William R. Flack and Raymond L. Widdifield, Frank Widdifield Civil Engineers, Surveyors, (1940-1943)

VanEpp and Laribee Law Office, Arthur VanEpp and Henry Laribee, (1930-1940)

Clayton B. Oberholtzer Law Office, (1940-1943)

Medina Relief Service, (1941-1943)

State Division of Aid for the Aged, (1943–1951)

Farmers Production and Credit Association, (1948–1956)

Western Reserve Natl Farm Loan, (1951-1956)

Spitzer Insurance Agency, Eckley R. Chase, Agent, (1951-1955)

John Ziegler Insurance Agency, (1954-1960)

Dowell, Inc. (1954-1955)

Elmer Zarney Commercial Art Studio,  (1955–1956)

1.  Elmer Zarney Commercial Art Studio in room vacated by Dowell, Inc. in 1955.

Superior Electric Company, (1956–1960)

Lorin J. Neeper, Attorney, (1960-1963)

Selective Service Local Board, (1960-1963)                                                              

Seaway Title Corporation, (1960–1963)

Unknown Proprietors (1964-1971)

License Bureau, (1971-1974)

Bock and Clark, Inc. (1974-1975)

StorNet, (1996–1998)

Farmers Insurance Group, William Troup, Agent, (1996–2020)

Troup Insurance Agency, William Troup, Agent, (1996–2020)

First Federal, (2001–2001)

Lexington Lending and Mortgage Group, (2004–2005)

Era Lentz, (2006–2006)

Keller Williams Realty, (2007–2008)

Secured Monitoring Systems, (2012–2012)

Suite 2C: Social 330 Marketing, Courtney Davis, Prop. (2020-Present)

Suite 2D: Sperry CDA-The Masica Group, Michelle and Steve Masica and Sarah Combs, (2020-Present)

1.  A Commercial Real Estate Brokerage firm serving the greater Cleveland area.

Suite 2E: FM Global, Jacob Saul, Prop. (2020-Present)

1.  Firm sells large commercial property insurance.

 Suite H: Fresh Coat Painters, Brad Burgess, Prop, (2020-Present)

1.  A commercial and residential painting franchise including deck and fence staining, sealing, gutter cleaning and power washing.

#103 East Liberty Street: Princess Block–c.1913

Medina Gas and Fuel Company, (1913–1924)

Harry L. Doherty Company, Investments, (1922–1924)

1.  Doherty is in with Medina Gas and Fuel for now in 1922.      

Medina Candy Kitchen, Anton Horvath, Prop. (1924–1937)

Princess Dry Cleaners, Vera Neiswinter, Prop. (1936-1943)

D and A Sandwich Shop and Confectionary, Robert Croome, Prop. (1937–1938)

Amstutz Hatcheries, Virgil Neunschwander, Mgr. (1938–1939)

Sard’s Sports and Pool Hall, Sardis Titley, Prop. (1940–1946)

Medina-Gross Oil and GE Appliances, Howard Gross, Prop. (1946–1951)

Unknown Proprietors, (1952-1958)

Ohio Fuel Gas Company, (1959–1963)

Vogue Kitchens, (1963–1966)

B and L Carpet, Inc. (1966-1968)

Dorel Creations, (1969-1971)

Sewing and Stereo Center, (1971-1974)

Chuck’s Lowery Organ Studios, (1975-1976)

Gerspacher CIM Company, (1977-1979)

Brubaker, Helfrich and Taylor CPA, (1980–1981)

Hausser and Taylor, CPA, (1982-1984)

Sophisticated Lady and Tux, (1985-1989)

Vacant, (1990-1991)

Summi Boutique, (1992-1992)

Family Mediation Services, (1993–1994)

Buckeye Reserve Title, (1995–1998)

Bond and Associates Title Agency, (1999–2006)

D O G Apparel, (2007–2010)

4 Ladies and More Consignment Boutique, Sue Miller, Prop. (2011–2018)

#108 East Liberty Street: Alden House,-1841, Buckeye Diner Bldg.-1928, Hale Bldg.- 1956

 B. Fretz the sold buildings and sheds on Lots 83 and 84 east of the Savings Deposit Bank in 1899.

William H. Alden House, (1841-1916)

1.  William Henry Alden was a direct decedent of John and Priscilla Alden of the Mayflower, immortalized in the Longfellow’s epic poem “The Courtship of Miles Standish.”

2.  W. H. Alden was born in Suffield, Connecticut, May 15, 1805.  When he was 18 years of age he accepted a position as clerk in a mercantile house in Hartford, the capital of the state.  In 1831, he came out to Ohio, settling in Medina. On January 25, 1834, he was married to Sarah Smith, a native of Suffolk County New York. A year later he changed his residence to Seville, where he engaged in mercantile business to public office and then he again moved to Medina, and he resided here up to the time of his death.

3.  As early as 1840 he was elected sheriff of Medina County, holding the office two terms, and at its expiration he was elected county auditor, also holding that office for two consecutive terms. In the fall of 1853 he was the lead one of the justices of the peace for Medina Township, and he held that office continuously until 1886, when on account of failing health he was compelled to decline a re-election. During the years from 1863 till 1871 he also served as an assistant revenue assessor in the district.

4.  Medina County Gazette-December 7, 1893: William Henry Alden, one of the oldest residents of Medina County, and whose life is a part of the county's history, died at his home on Friday morning of last week. He had been in poor health for several months and the cause of his death was undoubtedly old-age and general debility. The last time that he left the house was on Election Day, when he drove over to the polling place and for the last time exercised his right of citizenship, in which he always took particular pride. It is stated, and it will not be doubted by those who knew Mr. Alden, that during the 67 years, or since the year he attained his majority, that he has not missed a single election.  His wife, Sarah who had been the sharer in his life's struggles for 59 long years, followed him to the spirit land on December 5th of this week. She was 87 years of age

5.  Daughter Susan King Alden owned and rented the Alden homestead until 1916, when she was 75.

Alden Frame House Residence and Office of Dr. S. Hudson, Physician and Surgeon, (1886-1910)

1.  William H. Alden house added a new front porch in 1886, when it was moved to this location.

2.  A fire at the Alden house caused minor damage in 1912.

William Rozell, Elite Photography, (1910–1911)

1.  Rozell occupied the frame 1-story house with porch along front left side.

2.  Willard G. Rozell was a photographer, sign painter and operated the projector at the Princess Theatre.

3.  Larry D. Newberry has laundry office in Rozell studio in 1910.

Winyah Club, (1916-1918)

1.  Winyah Club opened new home in Alden House in 1916.

Reverend and Mrs. S. F. Dimmock Residence, (1918-1919)

1.  Alden Homestead on the North side of the square that has been occupied by the Winyah club will be renovated and occupied by the Rev and Mrs. S. F. Dimmock.

2.  Mayor Rev. S. F. Dimmock keeps chicken here behind a 15’ fence.

American Legion Post 202, (1919-1920)

1.  In 1919, the American Legion purchased the Alden property on the north side of the square for $10,000 for their community house.

F & AM Masonic Lodge, No 58, (1920-1921)

1.  Alden house moved to the rear of the lot in 1921 and cellar left full of water and condemned in 1922.

Ohio Fuel Gas Company, (1922-1928)

1.  Ohio Fuel Gas owns the vacant lot.

Alden House, (1922-1928)

1.  In 1923, the west wing of the old Alden home on the park was moved by Carl Earl to Union Street.

2.  The rented Alden house between the Princess Block and the Telephone building vacated by John Williamson was sold to Vernon Horton who will have the restaurant in 1928.

Buckeye Diner, Vernon Horton, Prop.  (1928–1935)

1.  Ohio Fuel Gas Company sold the vacant lot to Vernon Horton and Horton had a dining car structure installed in 1928.

2.  The Buckeye Diner, a restaurant housed in a railroad car in a parking lot in 1928

Buckeye Diner, George and Fanny Simmerman, Props. (1935-1939)

1.  In 1935, George Simmerman purchased the Buckeye Diner from Vernon Horton while also retaining his partnership in Park Drug Store with H. H. Bachtell in the Phoenix Block.

2.  His wife, Fanny Ferne will manage the operation of the restaurant.

Buckeye Diner, Fanny Simmerman, Prop. (1939-1945)

1.  George Simmerman died in 1939 and Fanny and the family took over the management of the restaurant.

2.  The Simmerman family sold the Buckeye Diner to Margaret and Joseph E. Nagy from Chippewa Lake in 1945.

Buckeye Diner, Margaret F. and Joseph E. Nagy, Prop. (1945-1955)

1.  In 1947, the Nagy’s added a large dining room on the west-side of the dining car.

3.  Joseph Nagy sold Buckeye Diner to Herman Hale in 1955.

4.  The Buckeye Diner, a restaurant housed in a railroad car in a parking lot in 1928

5.  Buckeye Diner building demolished in 1956.  Herman Hale buys lot and rebuilds a new one- story building to house his Hale’s Restaurant,

Hales Restaurant, Herman and Gertrude Hale, Prop. (1956-1960)

1.  Hales Restaurant replaces the Alden House and the Buckeye Diner formerly on City Lot 83, at 108 East Liberty Street.

2.  The new Hale Restaurant built by contractors Gay Simmons and Sons in 1956, is a one story Colonial white brick front, 30’x100’ with three dining rooms that seat 150 people.

3.  Restaurant was air conditioned in 1957. 

Hales Restaurant, William Jones, Prop. (1960-1979)

1.  Jones excavated basement, added an addition to rear and now the Restaurant now seats 210 in 1960.

2.  The Private Alden Room and the Pioneer Room were added in 1963 and 1974.

Hales Restaurant, Howard and Beverly Asher, Props. (1980-1984)

1.  Howard Asher filed bankruptcy in 1984.

Norman’s on the Square, Norman Lehrer, Prop. (1985-1992)

1.  Restaurant sold to Norman Lehrer in 1985.

2.  Still has a round table in front room for community leaders to eat together in 1985.

Grand Market Café’, (1993–2006)

Vacant, (2007–2013)

Lager and Vine, Gastro and Wine Pub, (2014 –2016)        

Amuse Euro Bistro, Sue and Dragon Tomic, Props. (2016-2019)

Vacant, (2019-2022)

Monarca Cantina Restaurant, (2022-Present)

1.  The restaurant, which comes from a part-owner of Blue Habanero and Tres Potrillos, sees the debut of chef Victor Conrique inside the former Amuse Euro Bistro in Medina Square.

2.  Chef Victor Conrique says he was born to cook Mexican food.

3.  An immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico, Conrique is hoping to expand Medinas’ knowledge of Mexican cuisine with Monarca Cantina, an upscale Mexican experience set to open in 2022.