R. W. Rupp General Store and Dry Goods -- Late 1800's -- A Little History

In the 1800's, before the Anthony Wayne Trail became the pot-holed "super highway" that we have all grown to know and love, it was part of a canal used to transport goods from the mouth of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio, southwest through the notorious Black Swamp,  paralleling the shallow, rapids-filled riverbed.  

Named the Miami and Erie Canal, it eventually ended its journey in Cincinnati, Ohio and the Ohio and the Mississippi river systems.  Back in the day, this historic canal was the main inland transportation route from the East to New Orleans...

1898 Photo of what was the R. W. Rupp General Store, canal quai-side

In 1883, an enterprising young man, Mr. R. W. Rupp, built a general store and quai-side loading dock along the towpath of the Miami and Erie Canal which wound its way through Waterville, Ohio.

R. W. Rupp General Store

In 1890, Mr. Rupp built his general store on Third Street and began a long life serving the local residents by selling everything from food and dry goods to tobacco.  The store cost him $1250.00 to build.

Note: Cigars for sale (lower left) and Dutch Masters sign (upper center).

He even made home deliveries...

Over the next one hundred and twenty-odd years the building was used for multiple purposes from general store to fine ladies wear.  Just prior to our acquisition of the property, the building was used as a bridal wear store.

Bridal wear to cigars -- a natural transition...