Downtown Wooster in the 1800s

revised by Glenna Van Dyke

Over time, the downtown area of Wooster has evolved greatly. In 1808, when the downtown area was first laid out, the land was divided into plots that each created a perfect square. These original streets can still be found today with some slight alterations. After the Civil War, the economy boomed, and the town grew significantly as the implementation of a railroad in 1852 also brought increased commerce and travel with it and as the end of the Civil War saw many young men entering the workforce. 1 During this period, cities all over America, including Wooster, expanded greatly. As the downtown area expanded, more businesses began to open to serve the needs of the city.  

A map of the east side of Wooster
This is a map created by the Sanborn Insurance Company to estimate damages if a fire were to occur. This particular map is of the east side of downtown Wooster in 1884. Using this map one can see the layout of the town in 1884 and this can be compared with the modern map here. 
A map of the west side of Wooster
This is a map created by the Sanborn Insurance Company to estimate damages if a fire were to occur. This particular map is of the west side of downtown Wooster in 1884. Using this map one can see the layout of the town in 1884 and this can be compared with the modern map here. 

During this time, industry was big in Wooster with the Wooster Brush Company, Mcdonalds and Co., which made threshing machines, and harness and steam engine manufacturers as well. Wooster residents did the majority of their shopping downtown, as it had everything they needed to live. Craftsmen and women such as blacksmiths, marble cutters, masons, carpenters, jewelers, shoemakers, clothes makers could also be found selling their wares downtown.2 In addition to local businesses, there were also several hotels and lodgings in the area to support travelers and businessmen that came through Wooster. One such lodging would have been the Archer house, known for its fine food and reasonable prices.3 Downtown also had plenty of dry goods and general stores where Wooster residents bought their food. These industries and businesses made Downtown Wooster a bustling center for industry and commerce. 4  

An advertisement that says, "C. B. Mover, M. D., D. D. S. Specialty diseases of the throat and nose, a concentration with Dentistry!"
This is an advertisement for a local dentist. There were many local dentists, doctors, and other health service providers downtown, and they often lived in apartments above their offices.
An advertisement for Wooster Brush Works and W. H. Banker Carriage Works
During this period in Wooster history, many new industries came to Wooster, and the existing industries began to expand rapidly. This particular advertisement shows two very important Wooster industries. Carriage making was very important in the pre-car era and Wooster brush works is still around today, thier brushes are sold all over the country. 

By the 1870s and 1880s, Wooster was no longer a solely agricultural area. The city housed the College of Wooster and other cultural centers such as their own opera house. The citizens of Wooster were no longer concerned with just subsistence, they now had the time and inclination to develop the arts. Wooster was also home to medical professionals who served the greater community, lawyers who worked in the courthouse, and University professors.  

An advertisement that says "McClarran and Caskey, dealers in Fancy and staple groceries, imported and domestic fruits, fresh Baltimore oysters, and vegetables in their season. Fine candies a specialty"
Downtown Wooster was once home to several groceries, including McClarran and Caskey, where people did the majority of their shopping.
An advertisement for Archer house
Archer House was one of several hotels in Wooster, known for being upscale but affordable and their excellent food. Especially after the introduction of the railroad in 1852, Archer House became a center of commerce where traveling salesmen would display their wares.

Before the existence of automobiles, the downtown area was a close-knit part of town where residents didn’t have to travel far to buy whatever they needed. Today, though the vital businesses are on the north end of town, Downtown continues to be a favorite spot and an important piece of Wooster’s history. The preservation of Downtown has helped to keep Wooster’s Midwest small town charm that so many are fond of.   

Sources:

1- “Civil War and Industrial Expansion, 1860–1897 (Overview).” Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 9,2015).http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3406400169.html 2- Arnold Lewis, assisted by Beth Lewis, John Gates, and James Turner, Wooster in 1876 (Wooster Art Center Museum 1976), 43-50. Wooster City and Wayne County Business Directory 188-1885. D.W. Shives Geo. A. Shives and Chas. H. Merz. Compilers, Editors, and Publishers Printed at the Wayne County Harald 1884, R 917.71 W88 1884-1885. 3- Arnold Lewis, assisted by Beth Lewis, John Gates, and James Turner, Wooster in 1876 (Wooster Art Center Museum 1976), 39. 4- United States Census Bureau 1870 national census

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