YESTERYEAR-NORTH MAIN STREET

Soon after the Civil War, the area on Evansville’s near north side began to develop rapidly, with a rich blend of residential and commercial properties, schools, and churches. For decades, Main Street, the city’s primary business hub, stretched directly from the riverfront to Garvin Park. This view of the west side of the 400 block of North Main was photographed in the 1950s. On the corner is the Gem Furniture building, originally the home of Walsh Baking Company. By 2002, the first two buildings were demolished, and the space is now Turoni’s parking lot.

Grein Building

Built between 1887 and 1889, the Grein Building was located at Second and Sycamore streets. The mammoth structure covered a quarter of a city block and was originally named the Business Men’s Association Building, reflecting the city’s rising prosperity around the turn-of-the-century. Down the block on Sycamore, the imposing Vendome Hotel opened a year later, and positioned between them was the new Grand Theater. The urban renewal movement claimed all three buildings by 1972; a parking garage has since replaced the old Grein Building.

FOOTNOTE: We want to thank Patricia Sides, Archivist of Willard Library for contributing this picture that shall increase people’s awareness and appreciation of Evansville’s rich history. If you have any historical pictures of Vanderburgh County or Evansville please contact please contact Patricia Sides, Archivist Willard Library at 812) 425-4309, ext. 114 or e-mail her at www.willard.lib.in.us.

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