And timed to coincide with the revival was the remodeling of the home of Janasko Insurance at 562 Broadway, to return the look of the building to its late 1800s roots.
An email from the firm (they’ve been my insurance company for years) provided a short history of the building, and noted how the remodeling was a pet project of owner and president Jim Janasko.
"With all the ups/downs and comings/goings in downtown Lorain, Janasko Insurance Agency has remained here over 60 years! We first started in the Broadway Building (currently the Ariel Broadway Hotel) and moved to our current building in 1975. Jim's dad converted a Thom McAn shoe store into the office with the Spanish-style front.
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| A 2007 view showing the Spanish-style storefront |
"The original building was built for the Citizen's Savings Bank in 1892. If you look at the top of the north side of the building you can still see the wording painted on the building.
"Jim had a dream to return the look of the building back to its original 1890's design. This all came together with the new streetscape in downtown Lorain.”
And here’s the finished result.
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There are a few archival images of the building as it looked originally. This one (below) is courtesy of Janasko Insurance.
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| Citizens Bank Building circa 1895 |
And this one (below) appeared in the book, “CENTURY: 100 Years of Lorain and Lorain Business History.”
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| Circa 1905 |
And from the same book, here’s a view from the other direction showing the CITIZEN lettering on the building.
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| Circa 1917 |
8 comments:
Very interesting.I wonder when the fire escapes were added?As you can see they weren't in the 1895 photo of the building.
A wee bit off topic, Dan, but I just wanted to say how proud I am of the folks there; they stayed cool during the demonstration!
Wonderful account of the old Citizen's Bank Building. Looks really great with the new front! Just amazing that some of the original letters can still be seen on the side of the building to remind us of the history of the building...
Dan,
In the last picture there's a "H. Nielsen" advertisement. Any relation to the Nielsen Jewlers still downtown?
Yes, H. P. Nielsen – the original Nielsen jewelry company and predecessor to the present company still in Lorain – dates back to 1877 and appeared in the oldest city directory at the library (1891). It was at 307 Broadway in 1903.
You can read more about it here:
https://danielebrady.blogspot.com/2013/05/nielsen-jewelers-part-1.html
Wasn't there a Neilsen who was an optometrist?
Yes, Dr. Walter S. Nielsen was an optometrist, and offered that service at his father’s store (H. P. Nielsen). When the other son (Harry) decided to split off and open his own jewelry store, he had an optometrist (Dr. Richard L. Nielsen) on staff as well.
I'm pretty sure Richard Nielson was my eye doctor in the early to mid 70's and his office was located on W 5th Street. It was a very small office from what I remember, but I was only around 10 years old at the time. Google isn't much help, but looking at google street view it may have been 203 W 5th St. The city directory would probably have that info to verify.
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