]

]WHEN THEN WAS NOW

By Wayne A. Guyant

October 17, 1991

 

            In the spring of 1946, the old frame building that stood next to the Leo J. Fuhrman garage, that was an old landmark in the central part of Waupaca, was being razed.

            The building, some 60 years old, had served a wide variety of uses since it was first constructed.

            It was first used as a church before it was moved to its present location. I have been told that at one time there used to be a church standing on the hill to the north of this location.  It apparently existed for only a few years.

            After this old building was moved to its new location it was used as a blacksmith shop; with the advent of the automobile the building was converted into a garage, with living quarters on the second floor.

            It next became a place for the storage for Waupaca school buses.

            What became of the building’s location after the structure was razed?

            Further research answers that question.  Warranty Deed, Volume 209, page 93, dated February 8, 1946, shows Peter W. Heckel and Leona, his wife, sold to Lee J. Fuhrman lot 4, block D, except the north 43 feet of said lot.

            In the Waupaca County Post, dated November 20, 1947, was an article stating that L. J. Fuhrman, proprietor of the Oldsmobile garage on Granite Street, was erecting a one-story building directly west of his present building:  it was to become a modern workshop when completed.

            A building was constructed 27 feet wide by 51 feet long. It was constructed of special baked blocks that are similar in size to concrete blocks, but are much lighter in weight and possesses much better insulating qualities.

            The front of the building was of the conventional brick, similar to the front of the original garage.  After the building was completed, they were joined by removing a potion of the west wall of the old garage building.

            Ev. Hansen, owner of Ev’s Service Center, has operated out of this building for several years, and brother Kerm Hansen, owner of Hansen Auto Exchange, has operated out of the old Leo J. Fuhrman garage since 1976.  As of January 1, 1991, the Hansen brothers united their businesses at 112 Granite Street.

 

 

Waupaca Republican

March 1, 1917

 

LEASES YELLOWSTONE GARAGE.

 

Dayton Baldwin To Operate Business

- Johnson is Machinist.

 

            Dayton Baldwin has leased the Yellowstone Garage on Granite Street from the owner, Charles Johnson.  Mr. Johnson will be employed in the mechanical department.

            Mr. Baldwin has also become associated with Wm. Wolcott in the sale of the Oldsmobile and Oakland automobiles.  They are making an addition for an office and are otherwise improving the place.  One or both of the sales representatives will be at the office to show their cars and will be pleased to extend any courtesy to please their patrons whether it be an automobile or an accessory.

Waupaca Republican Post

June 1, 1916

Advertisement

 

CHEVROLET “The Product of Experience”   “Model Four Ninety” Touring, Complete with Electric Lights and Starter, F. O. B. Flint, Mich. $550   H-2 1-2 Royal Mail Roadster Complete F. O. B. Flint, Mich. $750   H-4 Baby Grand Touring Complete, F. O. B. Flint, Mich. $750   Wm. Wolcott, Agent Johnson’s Garage Phone 292.    114 W. Granite St.     WAUPACA, WIS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE WAUPACA POST

November 20, 1947

 

Fuhrman Building Additon to Olds Garage on Granite.

 

            L. J. Fuhrman, proprietor of the Oldsmobile garage on Granite Street, is erecting a one story building directly west of the present building, which will become a modern workshop when completed.

            The building, 27 feet wide and 51 feet long, is being constructed of hitite baked blocks, similar in size to concrete blocks, but much lighter in weight and said to possess much better insulating qualities.  The front will be of conventional brick, similar to the front of the present garage, with two large doors for easy access to the workshop.

            The present garage will be converted into a parts and tool room with considerable space devoted to an office and showroom for Oldsmobiles.

            The new building will have a flat roof, supported by three steel beams and the entire floor space will be available for use.  When completed the buildings will be joined by removing a portion of the west wall of the old building.

            Mr. Fuhrman stated that he had been handicapped in late years with lack of space for repairing cars, greasing, etc., especially during cold weather.  The new addition will supply ample floor space and allow him to have a commodious office and show room.

 

 

The Waupaca Republican Post

October 7, 1915

 

Johnson Purchases Building

 

            C. E. Johnson has purchased the building on Granite Street he has occupied the past two years as garage and is making extensive permanent improvements among which will be a fine flat that he will occupy on the second floor.

 

 

 

February 21, 2002

Per conversation with Don Schroeder son of previous owner, Harold Schroeder.

 

Harold Schroeder purchased the garage from Fuhrman in 1934.  The sewer system for the northwest section of town runs under the garage as the workers ran into problems in being able to lay it down due to granite ledge behind the garage.  Harold sold the building to Kerm Hansen around 1976.

The house next to the garage, built on the corner lot, was erected after a small white wood building was torn down.  The house was built of brick salvaged from a blacksmith shop in the area that was torn down.

 

Per conversation with Mike Kirk, March 1, 2002

 

During the time that Ivan Huffcut had the Badger Building Center he used this Granite Street building for storing lumber.

 

Colligan’s Motor Sales sold cars from this building for a time.