Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of stories that illuminate the story behind many buildings in downtown Cambridge. This article focuses on buildings on the 800 block of Wheeling Avenue.

Many of the buildings in downtown Cambridge are the original buildings constructed in the city's early days and have historical significance, either for the role they played in the development of Cambridge or for the remarkable people who made it they attended or held events there.

The 800 block of Wheeling Avenue shows how times have changed downtown. When the shops and salons gave way to banks and bus terminals, the business district emerged.

The Guernsey County Courthouse

Law and order were introduced in Cambridge on September 11, 1883, when the newly completed courthouse was opened to the public.

The total cost of completing the courthouse was $ 102,510.78.

An inauguration for the building was held by JW Yost on August 4, 1881, when construction began.

The Guernsey County Courthouse at 801 Wheeling Avenue had an original cost of $ 102,510.78 and was opened for public viewing on September 11, 1883.

The courthouse has been renovated in recent years. Work was going on on the ceilings and windows. The original woodwork has been preserved.

The soldier memorial in front of the courthouse was inaugurated on June 9, 1903 to honor the patriotism and sacrifice of the soldiers who served in the civil war.

At one point there were fountains in front of the courthouse. Marybeth Sills, director, Cambridge Main Street who provided the historical information, couldn't find a date the fountains were there, but estimates it was in the 1940s-1950s based on photos.

A little known fact about the courthouse today is that if you look closely into the flower bed on the side of the front stairs, you will discover what ——– Keepers calls a little farm on our flower bed. Peppers, tomatoes and corn are planted between the flowers.

The Craig Building

The Craig Building once stood at 802 Wheeling Ave, which is now the City Municipal Building and grassy lot. The building housed what was known as the Upper Kresge while the Lower Kresge sat in the 700 block down the hill. It also served as the home for Wan-Mar Beauty Shop, Freda Beauty Shop, Morton's Hat and Dress Shop, Kuhn's Jewelry, Allison Body Sale (auto store), and several other stores.

"It was a beautiful building. It was one of the tallest buildings in downtown Cambridge with a beautiful brick tower on the side," said Sills. There were also apartments. It was wonderful. It was demolished in the 1980s. "

According to Sills, Sam Craig bought the property in 1848 and built the building in 1904, Kresge's moved into the building in 1926 and merged with Lower Kresge's in 1959.

Sills also noted that Craig, who moved to Cambridge from Old Washington to run the business, was elected secretary of the New Anti-Slavery Society and operated the Underground Railroad's Cambridge Station from the property.

In 1959, Hallmark of Cambridge came to the Craig.

The building was bought by Cambridge Savings and Loans in 1985, who found the renovations were too much and will razed the building to the ground in 1988, Sills said.

The current parish building was erected in its place and housed several banks before it was sold to the city.

The Cort Theater

The Cort Theater was one of four theaters that once called downtown.

The theater was next to the Craig in the Caruthers Building at 804 Wheeling Ave.

The theater was named after John Cort, the first president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, an international organization founded by a group of six theater owners.

Schaffer insurance

Although Schaffer Insurance has always been located at the 800 block in downtown Cambridge, it was not always in its current location at 820 Wheeling Ave., built in 1914. In the 1960s it was 838 Wheeling Ave.

Originally the location was a gift shop, Pollack's Hardware, The Casual Shop, Tyson's Menswear and Dry Cleaning and was once the home of the Daily Jeffersonian.

A historical marker outside of 820 Wheeling Avenue. The location was once home to 'The Casual Shop' as part of Cambridge's business district.

The Daily Jeffersonian

After The Daily Jeffersonian was at 820 Wheeling Ave, he moved across the street to a building that no longer stands. The former location was in today's parking lot of the newspaper. When the building was demolished, the blocks with the name The Daily Jefferson engraved on them were the only thing that was saved from the building. The blocks were placed in front of the current Daily Jeffersonian building at 831 Wheeling Ave.

The current parking lot for The Daily Jeffersonian was once the location of the building that housed the newspaper. Very little information is available about the history of the property.

Before becoming the Daily Jeffersonian, the building was Jay's Laundry Service and Cambridge One Hour Cleaners.

Total workforce action

Before Action Total Staffing on Wheeling Ave. 824 was active, the building was used by doctors and real estate agents. Over the years the building has housed offices for Arnold Norris, Podiatrist, Dyson Real Estate, Mitchell Moffet, Dentist, Herbert Thompson, Real Estate Agent, and Ray Frasher, Insurance Agent.

The club billiard pool hall

The Club Billiard Pool Hall is also located at 824 1/2 Wheeling Ave., on the lower level.

The pool hall, which is currently closed due to COVID-19, is still a popular meeting place in the city center.

The American Restaurant and The National Hotel

The American restaurant that used to be on Wheeling Ave. 843, and the National Hotel, which was right next door at 835, were the places to visit.

Both stores were in what is now the People's Bank.

A giant safe, made by The Mosler Safe Company of Hamilton, Ohio, fills the lobby at 845 Wheeling Avenue. The safe was originally intended for the Guernsey Savings and Loan Company.

The steps next to the building led down to the Donohue Bicycle Shop at 857.

"In its heyday in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the National was a beautiful, state-of-the-art hotel," said Sills. "It was one of the greatest hotels in downtown Cambridge at the time. It was the place to stay and the American restaurant, I heard, was really good. It was always full."

The arched entrance to the People's Bank at 845 Wheeling Avenue is one of the few original features on the outside of the building.

"There were many beauty parlors, dental offices, medical offices, apartments, banks, and the hotel and restaurant in that block. There was also the Guernsey Savings and Loan, Attorney Frank Leyshon's office, Cambridge Pharmacy and Donahue's (locksmiths) and the town bakery "

Wesbanco

The current location for Wesbanco's Drive Through, according to Sills, was once the location of several car dealerships and Goodyear Tires, where tires, new and used cars and service repairs could be purchased. The location also served as a doctor's office

The Union Bus Terminal was also located there.

"This is an interesting block to show how times have changed because you are missing several historic buildings. There are now more modern buildings in their place that were constructed in the 50s, 60s and 70s," said Sills. "There was a lot of office space. That was the heart of the offices, so to speak, it was a business district.

source https://seapointrealtors.com/2021/08/01/800-block-of-wheeling-avenue-shows-changing-times-in-downtown/

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