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Restorations The Thurston Building 24271 Front Street The Thurston Building (Rapids Pharmacy) is one of four buildings on the National Register of Historic Places located in Grand Rapids, Ohio. Amazingly, through the years it has remained a pharmacy. There have been five owners of the pharmacy; Azor Thurston, Clark Patton, O.P Hampshire, Phil Hock, and presently, Joe Boyle. The first owner, Azor Thurston, was known for formulating the successful "Thurston Pills," which led to the formulation of other Thurston remedies. The Thurston Building is notable because it provides insight into early patent medicine. The Thurston Building was built in 1896, by George Barber and Company, of Knoxville, Tenn. It was made in the usual Romanesque style with round arches. The building has a flat roof, a stone foundation, and brick walls. The ceiling of the building is made of stamped steel. The major feature of the pharmacy is the bay shaped window on the northeast corner of the building. It once had a conical shaped tower, but the tower started to decay, so it was taken down in the 1950's-60's. The interior furnishings are made of quartered oak with every piece made expressly to Mr. Thurston's orders. The interior woodwork was manufactured by Mr. James Shlappi, of Delta, Ohio. The lower level has a library, a sales room, and a laboratory. In 1982, there was an opening made through the west wall into the building next door to add additional floor space. The pharmacy survived the fire in 1898 that destroyed eighteen nearby buildings. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 29,1975. Town Hall 23564 Front St. By an act of the State Legislature, authorization for the building of the Town Hall was sanctioned on March 21, 1898. Discussions of the building of the Town Hall took place as early as 1893, but the plans were rejected. On April 19,1898 funding was approved. The building site for the Town Hall was purchased from Maria
Haspelhorn for $500. The building contract was awarded to Charles
Patton. The interior houses a first floor containing village and township offices and a second floor with a theater. The design of the stage is quite rare today and is an asset to the performer. The upper story of the building was used until 1936. The high school auditorium was built at this time, offering a new and modern facility leaving the Town Hall stage unused. In recent years, the Historical Society has restored the theater, allowing it to be used for its original purpose of hosting town events and plays. On May 27,1975, the romanesque style Town Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. The Heeter House 24570 Second Street In the 1870's, the shoemaker and harness repairman, Jacob Heeter built this unique gothic revival styled home. Using stone blocks, clay bricks, and slate, he created an upper-class home of which few could dream. After Jacob died, the house was passed on to his son, Fred Heeter. Fred was said to have been a perfect citizen, and the goods he carried in his grocery store, unmatched. He was a leading Democrat in a town mostly Republican, yet he had been repeatedly elected to office in the village. Fred Heeter owned the home for a short time before selling it and moving away. Since his move, the house has had various owners, the most current being Mr. and Mrs. Erle Radel. The two story home is nearly symmetrical, with elaborately detailed barge boards and cornice trim. The intersecting gable roofs add to the beauty and uniqueness of the house, while a single double-hung window lies in each gable. Each gable frames a bracketed and wood-laced canopy, sheltering two doors. All windows and doors have carved wooden trim and all the windows have shutters. The proud owners, the Radels, have made various renovations such as repointing brickwork, rebuilding the porches, restoring the basement, and reconstructing the barn. Since buying the home in October of 1990, they have completed extensive landscaping, enhancing the beauty of the property. The house is known for its symmetry, its example of Victorian "gingerbread" architecture, and its rarity in Wood County. Because of this rarity and beauty, the Heeter House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 29,1975. The Kerr House 17605 Beaver St. On a small bluff overlooking the picturesque village of historic Grand Rapids, rests the B.F. Kerr House. This majestic 1800's Queen Anne beauty is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Kerr House is a treat for tourists to experience. The house is adorned with lovely white porches and decorative trim. A tower hovers over the main entrance marked by two hand-crafted oak doors. The house displays unique stained glass windows, a slate roof, and interesting architecture. The interior of the Kerr House features beautiful hardwoods, many fireplaces, and hand-carved door panels. The bathrooms feature original marble sinks and copper tubs. Each room is uniquely different from the others and each is a magnificent work of art. Under the direction of Benjamin Kerr, the house began to come to life in 1885. It follows the intriguing Queen Anne architecture of the day and is the only house of this type in the area. It has become a distinguished local landmark in Grand Rapids. Benjamin Kerr was a successful business person for 30 years in Grand Rapids. He owned two grain elevators and the general store. The Kerr House remained in the family for 85 years until its sale to the Hostetlers in 1978. The house had been neglected for many years and needed major restoration. The Kerr House now hosts an internationally acclaimed health spa. The Kerr House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 21,1979.
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