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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A little bigger picture of the N. Main photo. If you look closely you can imagine the protected bike paths just off camera to the left, where the two gentlemen crossing the street just abandoned their Schwinns and wives for a little scenic stroll.
http://s26.postimg.org/3zfdm0dmh/North_Main.jpg.
I posted two pictures of the old Grein Building since it was mentioned in the article. I think the two separate links have delayed its arrival. If it doesn’t come up soon I’ll repost the links/pictures separately.
Great picture and accompanying history, as always!
“The urban renewal movement claimed all three buildings by 1972”
That particular ‘urban renewal’ period appears to have consisted of knocking down cool old buildings and putting up ugly, low slung concrete structuresin their place. Guess it was a 60’s and 70’s thing. I much prefer rehabbing and repurposing older structures, which seems to be the current wave. It’s good to see Owen Block and the McCurdy being redone that way.
Urban Renewal took out many of our better brothels, proving that even lofty goals sometimes have unintended poor consequences.
Since the Grein Building was mentioned in the article, here is an 1895 picture of it. Some tax guy who had an office there did my very first income taxes. That is the old Grand Theater attached to the left of it.
http://s26.postimg.org/4q83rsfzt/Grien_Building.jpg
Here is another view of it.
http://s26.postimg.org/poe9pvfuh/Grein_Building2.jpg
Here is an 1895 photo of the Grein Building. My very first income tax preparer had an office there. That is the ornate old Grand Theater attached to its left.
http://s26.postimg.org/4q83rsfzt/Grien_Building.jpg
A slightly newer picture of the now-razed Grein Building.
http://s26.postimg.org/poe9pvfuh/Grein_Building2.jpg
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