2145 Market Street, "Later Gator"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first apparent owner of this property was attorney Morgan Nelson, but no evidence could be found that he lived at the site. German immigrant Andrew Joseph Hosenfeld purchased the property from Morgan’s estate in 1869 for $1500.  The 1870 Ohio County census lists a Joseph Hosenfelt as a saloon keeper. He and his wife Theresa and children Joseph, John, August, and Elizabeth also lived in the building until they sold it in 1880.

 

Julius Lohse (1834-1901) and his wife Wilhelmina "Minnie" (1838-1928) Lohse, also German immigrants, were the next owners, purchasing the property for $6000. They operated a saloon at the site, advertising “choice wines, liquors, and cigars,” and apparently lived upstairs with their children Charles, Caroline, Annie, Amelia, and Minnie, along with as many as three boarders.  Saloon operation seemed to be a popular occupation at the time. City directories show 80 saloons in the year 1877, just before Lohse purchased the building. By 1884 there were 111 saloons listed; by 1904-5, there were 199 saloons listed.

 

After the death of Julius Lohse in 1901, his wife continued to own the property and lived upstairs. The saloon was operated by Richard J. Wilkie and then the Brandfass brothers – Christian, Edward, and Albert. Around the time of prohibition, the business part of the property was occupied by Anton F. Stauver, jeweler (1917-1920), followed by Louis A. Stauver, jeweler (1921-22), and then James L. Teachout and Sons (Alfred, Kenneth, Edwin, and Ernest), jewelers (1923-1948).

 

Following the death of Wilhelmina Lohse, the property was inherited by her daughter Amelia (Emilie) Lohse. After her death in 1957, the property was purchased by Marcel and Angela DeMaria. At first, they apparently rented the building to Thomas Nassif – “Tom’s Novelty Company” (1949-1951) and then to Charles M. Altmeyer – “Altmeyer’s Cut Rate Drugs” (1953-1958). Later, the DeMaria’s operated their own businesses in the building – “Marcel DeMaria Shoe Repair” and “Marcel’s Shoes” – from 1959 to 1994.

 

City directories indicate that several short-term businesses operated in the building over the next ten years – “Uniforms Plus” (1996), “Day Star Marketing” (memorial sales - 1997), “Nail City Antiques and Pawn” (1999), and “Tom’s Antique Shop” (2001-2004).

 

The current owner is Susan Haddad. She transformed the building into “Later Alligator,” a popular restaurant that opened its doors on August 31, 2006. In 2007, this property was recognized by Friends of Wheeling as an outstanding example of commercial renovation.

 

Prepared by Jeanne Finstein