231 S. Sandusky Avenue in downtown Bucyrus has held a long succession of tenants, according to a Crawford County Now history feature. The building’s uses ranged from a women’s club and piano store to utility offices, retailers and dental practices.
In 1916 the Girls’ Cosmopolitan Club occupied the address. That September it held an open house that drew hundreds of visitors, the article states. The club’s rooms had been furnished with local donations and hosted classes in cooking, sewing, domestic science and physical training. Wyn’s Millinery Store announced a move there around 1920. By September 1927, Starr Piano Company had opened a Bucyrus branch in the building; the Richmond, Indiana-based company ran 48 stores, and its opening sale advertised a player piano at $295.
General Light & Power and Suburban Power moved their offices to the ground floor in February 1928. In the 1940s optometrist Harry Kehrer practiced there and advertised Zenith hearing aids, including $40 models in 1944 and $40-$50 Father’s Day offers in 1945. Later tenants included the Crawford County Auto Club, Spiece Typewriter in May 1958 and Wittel’s Sewing Center.
Retail uses continued in the 1970s: The Treasure Chest advertised women’s clothing in September 1972, and Stan Shelley Clothing promoted winter outerwear discounts in December 1979. By 1980 Dr. James E. Huggins had a dental office at the address. Dr. Francis Henize took over in December 1985 and, by 2018, had practiced there for 33 years, according to the article.