Real Estate transfer prompts history of Marion landmarks</b>

History - Marion

Real Estate transfer prompts history of Marion landmarks

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January 2003: The recent transfer of the large Clark property on Main street to Harry Theodorides, successful proprietor of Marion Candy Kitchen, located in the old Clark block, has called to mind some interesting facts in the history of these buildings. Oldest residents can remember when the Clark Block was the oldest Baptist Church.

Since 1871, this property had been owned by the late Thomas M. Clark and his heirs, the site of the First National Bank having been originally a part of the real estate purchased by Mr. Clark. This lot was sold about ten years ago for the purpose of erecting a bank in Marion, on one of its most conspicuous corners.

Oldest residents can remember when Clark's block was the old Baptist Church, and was located on what is now Maple Avenue, in front of the present residence of Peter Corcoran. This was before that street was laid out. Mrs. Thankful Taber, now I nearly 93 years old, who has passed her life in Marion, sang in the choir of the Baptist Church, over 75 years ago, before the building was moved to its present site on Main Street.

After it was located where it now stands, it was for some time used for school purposes, until Marion Collegiate Institute was built, and ready for use in 1857. The building was then remodeled and transformed into a business block, with some living apartments.

For years the block was owned by the late Charles Caldwell Huggins who was a prominent business man and banker in Marion, and who owned the home now occupied by William E. Perduyn and family.

Many business concerns have been housed in this building, among those of earlier days, being AS Russell, MD, druggist; Lauren W. Wilcox, grocer; Mrs. Nelson Brown, milliner; CC Huggins, banker; Fred NG Brown, photographer, successor to ND Parks; Mrs. Manley, milliner; Mrs. FNG Brown, milliner; Albert B. Short and TM Clark, dealers in hardware; Henry R. Taber, lawyer; Miss Mary J. Sanford, ladies' furnishing store; and in later years, Edgar T. Luce; George Benedict, Elmer W. Taylor and Raymond Ebert, occupying the meat market now conducted by William Perduyn in the south corner of the building.

John Copping is remembered as a most agreeable man in charge of the meat market, being with more than one dealer. This was in the 1890's.

After Mr. Clark moved from their farm in the spring of 1871, and took possession of the residence connected on the north side of the block, Mr. Clark made extensive improvements and additions to the building, and built the barn. About this time the Reformed Church on Union street, decided to erect a new church edifice, under the leadership of Rev. JW Warnshuis. Mr. Clark bought the old church, and moved it to his lot, facing Maple Avenue, and it was thereafter used as a public hall, still being known as Clark's Hall. The new Reformed Church which stands on the old site on Union street, was built in 1872.

Mr. Clark lived in the same home until his death, ten years ago. Among the families that occupied the second floor apartment were Mr. and Mrs. Fred NG Brown, who were living there at the time they were drowned in Lake Ontario, in July, 1873.

Albert Short and family also lived in those rooms before moving to their new home in Union street. Mr. and Mrs. Byram E. Luce occupied that apartment the first thirty years of their married life, and several other families have lived there since Mr. and Mrs. Luce moved to their home on Palmyra Street, nearly eight years ago.

Two buildings on the property when purchased by Mr. Clark, have been long since removed, but they are not forgotten.

The old Turck store, a wood-colored building, that stood close to the sidewalk, just north of the present bank building, is well remembered.

This was in charge of James Turck and anything from a 'spool of thread to three pound of nails' could be found at this stand, not to mention the barrel of cider behind the front door, as one entered, with its one tumbler that supplied customers of that commodity.

This could be easily smelled as one passed the store.

The other building was the old yellow house on the corner that was occupied for years by Mr. Turck and family, James Green and family, and others later.

Before it was removed it was for some used as a marble shop in charge of Mr. Jenkins, and later by Alexander Beaty.

Could Mr. Clark have lived to see the beautiful bank that now stands on this corner - the pride of the town - it would have given him great pleasure and satisfaction.

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