Business Interests in 1913

Smith and Houk Restaurant on Main Street, 1912 (On the alley where Pool Room was in the 50's)L-R Wiley Smith, James Houk, Charles Burke, and Mark Bryant  (Look closely at the sign on the left.  It says, "BaseBall--SUNDAY--??? VS--LADOGA--Hughes Park--Ladies Free)

Hoosier Veneer Mill

            In October of 1903, the Novelty Works of Roachdale and the Veneering Company of Russellville, both Putnam County businesses merged and moved to Ladoga.  At its peak, there were four large buildings with the entire plant being worth upwards of $50,000.  On September 29, 1911, it was purchased by John Stanley, Eugene C. Ashby, and G. W. Anderson.  It later became the Hoosier Veneer Company, pictured here.  It was located at the corner of Cherry and College where Kenny Vice Ford is located now.  It burned in 1912 and was completely destroyed.  The veneer mill had been constructed only a year before and employed 60 men paying wages of over $100 a day.  The picture shown above is from a post card sent from Ladoga to Marion H. Milford at Dow, Illinois.  The writer identifies the picture as, “…the Veneering mill which makes all kinds of furniture, fine bookcases, dressers, and everything.”  The card was sent in May of 1910. 

            In her 1936 history of Ladoga and Clark Township, Grace Denny wrote, "Another employing woodworking industry was the Hoosier Veneer MIll, located on the "Y" of the Monon and Midland railroads.  It made veneer our of splendid oak and walnut that abounded around Ladoga.  At its peak, this plant employed 20-25 men.  Harry Daugherty, son of Joe Daughtery, the miller, built up the enterprise with W.F. Epperson. The plant burned in 1912."

Bicycle club of the early 1900's

The red bridge south of town

Drays by the depot with Hardin's Flour Mill in the background in the 20's

Chester and Beulah Peffley on the road to Columbus in the early teens.

The Peffley girls on the swinging bridge over Raccoon Creek

Ladoga people heading for Crawfordsville to attend a William Jennings Bryan rally in early 1900's.

Town Hall in early 1900's

Looking north on Washington early 1900's

Looking east on Main early 1900's

Business Interests in 1913

            Banks—Ladoga State Bank and Farmer’s and Merchant’s Bank.  Bakery—K.C. Ullmayer.  Clothing (exclusive)   ___________Haymer.  Cement blocks and walks—C.C. Harshbarger.  Contractors—Huntington & Co., also a planning mill.   Stark, Oliver & Gish.  Dry goods—Bischof, the cooperative plan, and the Fountain Dry Goods Store.  Drug Stores—Snyder Drug Company, and Hanna Drug Company.  Dentist—Dr. C. B. Werts.  Blacksmith Shops—Camden and Son, Walter Riddlebarger, and J.C. Southers.  Barbers—John L. Gibson, Gray & Son, I.N. Slade.    Canning Company—(Havers Brothers).  Elevator—Ashby and Ashby.  Furniture—R.W. Wade (Also undertaking).  Grocery (exclusive--Barnes and Shackelford, Henry and Harris, M.S. McMurtrey, Rose Brothers.  Garages—Lee Dodd, Joseph Wilhite.  Harness Shop—Thomas J. Carrol.  Hardware—Cormon and Harris. Ray O. Gill.  Hotel—W.P. McIntire.  Implements—Handled only by hardware dealers.  Jeweler—Henry VanCleave.  Lumber—Ashby and Ashby.  Livery—Lee Dodd.  Mills—Hardin and Son, flouring mill; Gates and Davis, saw mill.  Meat market—Poe and Brunst.  Millinery—Carrie Robbins.  Newspaper—the Leader—J.F. Warfel. Pool rooms—George T. Rice. J. O. Penington, and W.S. Cochran.  Photographer—Lyda Van Horn.  Physicians—Drs. W.F. Batman, E.O. Price, and Ed Lidikay, Talmage.  Lawyer—Robert Marks.  Loan Company—Ladoga Building & Loan and Savings Association.  Machine shop—J.W. Hillis.  Restaurant—W.P. McClure.  Tombstone Maker—Ed. Fuller.  Stock Dealer—Gott & Smalley.  Transfer Line—Cheshire and Summers, Burt Robbins.  Tailors—George Goetz, J.W. Widdop.  Wagon Repairers—W.C. Rapp &Sons.  Hoosier Supply Company (incorporated)—supplies for traveling agents.  Veterinary Surgeons—J.G. Heighway, who is president of the state board. 

South side of Main Street (The Phoenix Block) in early 1900's  Had to be between 1899 and 1908

Rapp and Sons Buggy Shop

Rapp and Sons Automotive

Wilhite's Repair--Les Warner's Father-in-Law

Virgil Owens sold fence posts to farmers and delivered kerosene.  His place was just south of the ball diamond where the old Monon water tank sat. (Picture from Chet Vice collection)

First mechanized gas pump in Ladoga.  On Main Street where Elliott's Marathon station was in the 50's.  (Picture from Chet Vice Collection)