Re: woodshop nerdery youtube channel
Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 2:11 pm
Passed along from Nick Engler; an update from researcher Matthew Yanney:
"There are a number of inaccuracies in the news account concerning the impending demolition of the Gem City Ice Cream Building on West Third Street, Dayton. The Wright Brother’s first cycle shop was not located in this structure. The Gem City Ice Cream Building is not 129 year old as it was not constructed in 1892. The building began life as the Nicholas Block, and was constructed no earlier than 1894, with construction likely completed in 1896.
The Wright’s operated the first cycle shop from December of 1892 through May of 1893, prior to the construction of the Nicholas Block. This is clearly evident by examination of the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps of 1887 and 1897, the William’s Dayton City Directories of this time period, the Montgomery County Auditor GIS Document Archives, and the Montgomery County Records Center and Archives. The facts are straightforward and evident in these records.
The Nicholas Block (GCIC Bldg) was constructed on lot 6308. This lot was purchased by Abraham Nicholas in 1894 from Henry and Elizabeth Kelly who owned and lived in the home located on this lot from 1892 through 1894. The demolition of this residence was necessary before the Nicholas Block could be constructed.
I documented the historical evidence of this on my blog site in March of this year if there is any interest in getting this story. The first cycle shop was said to have been located at 1005 West Third. In 1892, 1005 West Third was a small single story wood structure. This building was demolished along with the Kelly’s residence at 1003 West Third to clear the land in order for the Nicholas Block to be constructed, with address of 1005/1007. The Gem City Ice Cream Company moved into this building at 1005 in 1902, later also occupying 1007, and then expanding the building over time, doubling the width such that it’s address included 1005/1007/1009/1011."
"There are a number of inaccuracies in the news account concerning the impending demolition of the Gem City Ice Cream Building on West Third Street, Dayton. The Wright Brother’s first cycle shop was not located in this structure. The Gem City Ice Cream Building is not 129 year old as it was not constructed in 1892. The building began life as the Nicholas Block, and was constructed no earlier than 1894, with construction likely completed in 1896.
The Wright’s operated the first cycle shop from December of 1892 through May of 1893, prior to the construction of the Nicholas Block. This is clearly evident by examination of the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps of 1887 and 1897, the William’s Dayton City Directories of this time period, the Montgomery County Auditor GIS Document Archives, and the Montgomery County Records Center and Archives. The facts are straightforward and evident in these records.
The Nicholas Block (GCIC Bldg) was constructed on lot 6308. This lot was purchased by Abraham Nicholas in 1894 from Henry and Elizabeth Kelly who owned and lived in the home located on this lot from 1892 through 1894. The demolition of this residence was necessary before the Nicholas Block could be constructed.
I documented the historical evidence of this on my blog site in March of this year if there is any interest in getting this story. The first cycle shop was said to have been located at 1005 West Third. In 1892, 1005 West Third was a small single story wood structure. This building was demolished along with the Kelly’s residence at 1003 West Third to clear the land in order for the Nicholas Block to be constructed, with address of 1005/1007. The Gem City Ice Cream Company moved into this building at 1005 in 1902, later also occupying 1007, and then expanding the building over time, doubling the width such that it’s address included 1005/1007/1009/1011."