The Leesburg Citizen, run by locally famous Mack Sauer [note the ad for "Breakfast at Sauer's" on WPFB in top left corner of front page of newspaper], ran a 4-page special edition on Thursday, May 15, 1952 in honor of Wells Mfg., moving to their new building on West Main Street, New Vienna. Besides talking about the company, the open house and the $40,000 remodeling job, there is also a section on the history of the building (below the fold). See below for transcription of history.
Part 2 will feature pictures of products and office employees.
New Vienna [Ohio] Firm [Wells Mfg.]is Moving - Leesburg Citizen, May 15, 1952
New Vienna Plant to Hold Open House Friday
The Wells Mfg. Company, New Vienna, will hold open house in their new $40,000 plant Friday, May 16 from 1 to 5 and 7 to – P.M.
The new headquarters contain 10 rooms, including 3 offices, assembly rooms, storage rooms, etc. It is modern to the minute.
The Buckeye Ramblers, Wilmington, will play for round and square dancing in the assembly room Friday evening. Dancing will be free to everyone. There will be roses for the ladies and toys for the children.
Mr. C. J. Uible, president, extends a cordial invitation to everyone to attend the open house.
Hotel Fealy, New Vienna Ohio [later Wells Mfg.] Corner of Main & South St., Built in 1878, across from Train Depot
Leesburg Citizen clipping from May 15, 1952 about Wells Mfg.
Building History
The company purchased the old Fox building at the railroad crossing in New Vienna at public auction in Sept. 1950. The building had gone through a disastrous fire and had to be almost entirely rebuilt. This was done with Vaughn Huffman as contractor and Mr. Uible as supervisor. Fifty-two thousand face brick were used in reconstructing the walls.
The original building was was erected in 1878 [Another source says 1883] by Truman Peale, who operated a general store in the downstairs rooms. The upstairs was used as a city hall and for roadshows, dancing, etc.
It was later remodeled and was known as the Phaley [Picture above clearly shows Fealy] House and later the Elton Hotel. In recent years the Fox Restaurant was located there and Leo Dodds had apartments upstairs. It was hit by fire in March, 1950, and Mr. Dodds' widow sold the building at public auction to Mr. Uible.
Mr. Uible spared no expense in rebuilding. Offices have hardwood floors, sound proof ceilings, venetian blinds, and are modern to the minute. The rest rooms have tile walls and are equipped with showers for the employees.
An elevator shaft has been installed and later an elevator will be installed between the first and second floors. [This never happened, I think for structural reasons.] The first floor has 10 rooms, including 3 offices, assembly room, storage rooms, stock room, etc. The upstairs is not yet completed, but assembly rooms will be finished there at a later date.
The building is 170 by 44 feet. The new addition at the rear is 78 feet by 44 feet.
Mr. Uible, retired contractor, is one of New Vienna's most prominent businessmen. He has served on the village council for many years and has always been one of the town's most loyal boosters for every improvement.
He is warmly congratulated by the citizens of New Vienna on the fine, modern home he has constructed for the company he heads.
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See Part Two of the Leesburg Citizen May 15, 1952 article on Wells Mfg. moving into their new building at this link.
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See Part Two of the Leesburg Citizen May 15, 1952 article on Wells Mfg. moving into their new building at this link.
The article makes mention of the Fox Restaurant. It was run by Georgia Fox and her mother. When they relocated, they went to the building next to the village park. Georgia had her restaurant and her brother lived upstairs and ran a card game in the front room. I think he also did some work for the township or village. I never heard him called anything but Bullger. My parents bought the building in 1965 from Georgia and moved the trophy business from our den at home to the building. In addition to the trophies, he and Doc South sold a line of pet and animal health supplies. Hard to believe that it has been 50 years since Red Dot was established.