The Christenson House was located at 720 Washington Street. The five story brick building was the work of careful planning. The building was a result of the work of many individuals who saw the population of Lawrence County aging, but with few options. Dr. Paul J. Christenson, the former pastor of the First Baptist Church, was one of the proponents of public housing. Because of his actions, the Christenson House was named in his honor.
Also known as the A. R. Johnson Law Offices, the Christner & Wolfe office building is located at 425 Center Street in Ironton, Ohio. Built in 1897, the building has Queen Anne architectural style. The two and a half story building has a basement. Both the foundation and walls are made of brick. A slate, hip roof tops the rectangular shaped building. Three central bays with arched transoms can be seen on the front of the offices. A slightly recessed entry way welcomes visitors. Rusticated stone was used to make the lintels on all of the windows and a water course.
Although the city has not used the incinerator since 1942, the smokeless stack was still visible from Campbell Drive in 1961. In the 1890’s, the stack was used as the city’s pest house during a small pox epidemic..
The Crystal Ice Company was located on the corner of Seventh and Railroad Streets. The earliest listing for the company can be found in the 1893-1894 Ironton Directory. At that time the business was called Crystal Ice Factory and Joshua F. Austin was the president. By 1904, the address for the company was listed as 217 Railroad Street. James Hudson was the president, J.D. Foster was the Vice President, and W. J. Doran was the secretary. James Hudson was also a county commissioner and a vice president of the Gas Company.
The DT&I or Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad had its roots in Ironton, Ohio. The railroad can be traced back to the Iron Railway which was incorporated in 1849 to transport farm products and mineral products from the fields of Lawrence County to Ironton. It was Dr. Caleb Briggs who suggested making Ironton the final destination for this railroad.
In 1902, the Detroit Southern Railway bought the Iron Railway. Unfortunately, the line was in financial trouble and ended in bankruptcy in 1903.
Two country doctors, Dr. C. G. Gray of Lawrence Furnace and Dr. Alfred Robinson of Arabia, opened a drug store on the corner of Third and Chesnut in 1880. The doctor’s patients were treated in offices in the rear of the building. The building, also, had the first emergency operating room in the city, fifteen years before the Deaconness Hospital was opened.
Originally called Eagle Brewing Company, the Ebert Brewery stock house was erected in 1863 on the corner of Seventh and Railroad Streets. Leo Ebert was the owner and operator until his death in 1908. By 1875, 6,000 barrels of beer and ale was produced annually. In 1891, a fire caused $10,000 worth of damage. After the flood of 1884, the brewery was used as a soup kitchen for flood victims.
The First National Bank was organized in 1849 by John Campbell. At that time, the bank was known as the Iron Bank. The Iron Bank began its operation in May 1851.
The First National Bank received its charter from the U.S. government in 1863. The bank is one of the nation’s oldest banks still in operation.
On July 1, 1921, First National merged with Second National.
In 1957, the bank opened its Jones Street Office located at the corner of 3rd and Jones Street.
The property where the Goldcamp Building was built was originally owned by Jacob Heplar and John Davidson. The partners split their property. Jacob Heplar retained the Goldcamp property. On November 25, 1809, Jacob Heplar sold the land to Peter Leonbarger. The actual cost of the property was not listed.
Peter Leonbarger kept the property for almost forty years. On September 20, 1848, he sold the property to William D. Kelley for $2,770.00.
The Goldcamp Hardware Company was founded in 1893. At the time the store employed six people.
Located at 410 Center Street, the store was remodeled in the 1960’s. The Hardware Department was completely remodeled. The Furniture Department was remodeled and expanded. Tile Flooring was added. New fixtures were installed. A space was made for a colorful window display. The story even added an appliance department.
By 1962, the store would have fourteen full time employees.
