Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-01-14
CENTENNIAL BLOCK.
J. R. MILLER & CO. At Home.
Completion or their New Block
and Its OccupatIOn-The Most
Complete Business House In
the COunty--DescriptlOn
Of the Building.

We briefly announced last week, that the
firm Of F. r. MILLER h Co. we're taking
possession Of their New Block and we're
busily engaged in removing their stock Of
goods. They are now fully settled in their
new quarters and appear very much at
home, and it will not be out Of place here
to give a brief sketch Of their business rela-
tions.
The senior member Of the firm, Mr.. F. r.
MILLER, arrived in Perrysburg in ls45, at
the age OF II years, having left Germany two
years prior to this date and found his way
into Toledo. In lS47 he entered the store
of E. D. PECK & Co. as clerk, and in 1852
he was admitted as a partner in the bust
ness. In 1854 +. r. MILLER and II. T..
PECK became sole proprietors Of the estab-
lishment and from that up to the pres
ent time, nearly quarter of century
they have done business under the firm
name Of +. r. MILLER & Co. With com
mendable industry and close application
to business they have mcritcd and been
blessed with property. Aside from their
mercantile business in this place they have
built and sent out one OF the best schoon-
ers that sail upon the lakes, and have been
engaged, in connection with Hon. f. ID.
PECK, in an extensive grain, milling and
general mercantile business at Tontogany.
One commcndable feature in their transac-
a. IL l.. (.
the fact Of their spending their money
where they made 1t, in the building up and
improving the appearance of the town.
Their residences and the new block Just
completed furnish the proof Of this.
DIMENSIONS OF THE BLOCK.
We believe there is no particular name
for the style of architecture, except what is
known as the "Modern Style" The dmen-
sions are 50xS0 feet, with an elevation from
basement of 80 feet. The Block is divided
in the middle from basement to roof with
brick partition wall, into which the hucs
and ventilators are constructed leading
from the furnace in the basement, by
which the whole building il heated by hot
air. The basement story is about : feet in
the clear, well drained, and is about as
complete and substantial ns could be made.
These two large rooms, extending under
the whole building, are designed for the
storage of farm produce, vegetables, and
heavy articles in the line of groceries,
The sales rooms on the ground floor are
models of beauty and convenience. The
first, which is used for the dry goods de-
partment, is 24x77 feet, with an elevation
of IA feet to ceiling, and is fitted up with
the latest Improvements in the way OF
counters, shelving, show cases, &C., while at
the back end is rallied off n suitable
apartment desks, safe, &c. From this de-
partment leads a stairway to second floor,
where there is a large apartment set off
for clothing, carpets, and such articles as
would appear cumbersome in the room be-
low. This department is presided over by
Messrs. BARTON, WILSON, and WM. MIL
LER, with Messrs. MILLER & PECK on the
skirmish line, which extends over the
whole building.
The adjoining room, which is set apart
for groceries exclusively, is 21x77 feet,
with the same elevation to ceiling as that
Of the dry goods department, and in all its
appointments for the display and handling
OF the numerous articles in this line of
merchandise. Besides u convenient stair
way leading to the cellar from this room,
there has been put in position in the rear
corner of the room one Of the Reedy Pat
ent Elevators, by which all heavy articles
may be elevated to the second floor or low
cred to the cellar with comparatively no
labor. Mr.. JOHN Powers presides over
this department, with reinforcements near
at hand, if needed.
CENTENNIAL HALL"
This is the name finally decided upon
for the new public Hall which occupies the
second floor over the dry goods department
1t is an institution that our citizens have
sorely felt the need of Tor some years past,
Gnd We are glad to announce that their
wants in this respect have been supplied,
and that too, by Hall so convenient of
access The main Hall is 24x6l feet, and
Is feet elevation, with good sized ante or
dressing room. The Hall is handsomely
finished, and seated with chairs which
may he easily removed when it is desired
for promenade concerts, balls, &c. 1t is
designed to seat about 250 persons, and is
of easy access by a commodious stairway
leading from Front street, with doors by
which the main Hall or ante-room mary he
entered. This is a public benefaction for
which we trust the citizens of Perrysburg
will duly appreciate.
THE DESIGNER AND BUILDERS.
Mr.. FALLS, of Toledo, furnished the
plan and specifications, Messrs. Fl. and s
B. THORNTON did the masonry, and the
wood work was done under the supervision
of Mr.. ALEX. VAss. How we'll they per
formed their respective parts can be ascer.
tained by close inspection of the build.
ing With its large plate-glass windows,
pressed brick in front and side walls, and
the iron cornice, it presents handsome ap.
pearance and fills blank and "achins
void in what was once known as the Old
Drug Store Corner. The total cost Of con,
struction will reach about $4,000.
-LocKE's National Magazine, for Janua,
ry comes to us with very interesting tal