100-102 South Penn Street

'Gene Long' Building

 

The 1890 Sanborn map shows the configuration of what appears to be a house on the property at that time.

 

Ownership of the property can be traced back to 1892, when it was sold by Gibson L. Cranmer and his wife Oella Zane Cranmer to Dr. E. C. Myers for $3500. Cranmer and his wife owned multiple properties on the Island at that time. [Oella was the daughter of Daniel Zane, who owned most of the Island at one time. Daniel was a son of Ebenezer Zane.]

 

The 1902 map shows the configuration of the next/final building on the site. At that time, street numbers had not been changed to the current numbering system, and the duplex building is labeled 40 and 42 S. Penn Street, with # 40 being further north, closest to Virginia Street.

 

The first City Directory listing found in this “new” building was in the 1894-5 directory. At that time, the portion on the north side of the building was occupied by Robert B. Burt[i], “druggist and dealer in druggists’ sundries, fine toilet articles, perfumes, etc.” Dr. E.C. Myers was still the owner, but his office and residence were listed elsewhere - 16 S. Penn, to the north of the pharmacy. As early as 1903-04, the manager of the pharmacy was listed as Edward C. McAllister[ii].

 

“Burt’s Island Pharmacy” stays the listing in City Directories until Myers sold the property in 1907 to Albert[iii] and George Seitter for $14,000. The 1907-09 City Directory then shows “McAllister’s Island Pharmacy” (Edward C. McAllister, proprietor) at 100 S. Penn and the Garden Spot Meat Market (proprietors Albert and George Seitter) at 100 ½ S. Penn. [Note that street numbers had changed by then.]

 

“Seitter Brothers” (groceries and meats) and other meat markets and grocery stores appear in directories off and on at 102 S. Penn. Details are listed below.

 

George A. Korell purchased the property in 1945. The property transferred to James N. Korell in 1962, and by will to Margaret B. Korell in 1966. James N. Korell is listed as the proprietor of the pharmacy as early as 1960, but the business’s name - McAllister’s Island Pharmacy - appears in City Directories until 1974.

 

In 1975, “Susie’s Tack Shop” (riding articles) is listed in the City Directory at 100 S. Penn. Listings say “vacant” for the building in the 1976, 1977, and 1978 directories. Gene Long purchased the property in 1978. “Gene Long’s Family Hall and Party Center” is the listing from 1979 to 1983, with “Bill’s Food Center” in 102 S. Penn.

 

City Directories indicate “vacant” for 100 S. Penn from 1984 to 1986. “DJ’s Corner Carryout” is shown for 1987. “Vacant” is the listing for 1988 and 1989. There is no 1990 directory at the library. 1991 lists “Long’s Party Center” at 100 S. Penn, with 102 S. Penn “vacant.”

 

The last year showing activity in the building was 1996, when “Long’s Party Center” (hall rentals) is listed at 100 S. Front. There are no listings at that address in subsequent directories. The City of Wheeling acquired the property in 2010.

 

 

Summary:

100 S. Penn Street (known as 40 S. Penn Street prior to 1907)

• It appears that the building, now shown as 100-102 S. Penn, was built c. 1893-94.

• 1894 to 1905-06: Burt’s Island Pharmacy (100 S. Penn)

• 1907-09 to 1974: McAllister’s Island Pharmacy (100 S. Penn)

• 1979 to 1996: Gene Long’s Family and Party Center (100 S. Penn)

 

102 S. Penn Street (known as 100 ½ S. Penn and earlier as 42 S. Penn Street)

• No listing was found in directories from 1894-95 and 1896

• 1901-02 to 1905-06: Mrs. Anna M. Fehrenbach’s grocery and confectionary

• 1907-09 to 1944: Seitter Grocery (George Seitter)

• 1946 to 1951: William D. Kirchgesser Grocery

• 1953 to 1987: Bill’s Food Center

 

Prepared by Jeanne Finstein

August 8, 2014

 

Sources:

• Deed records – County Clerk’s office

• City Directories – various years

• Sanborn maps – 1890, 1902, and 1921-22

• Death records for Burt, McAllister, and Albert Seitter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[i] Robert Brown Burt (c. 1857-1901) died of consumption

 

[ii] Edward C. McAllister (1876-1963) died of cerebral thrombosis

 

[iii] Albert W. Seitter (1873-1942) died of decapitation after being accidentally struck by a freight train