Fire in 1887 Removed One of Ravenna's Old Landmarks

When fire swept the old Exchange building at the southeast corner of Main and S. Chestnut Street in 1887 it removed one of the oldest landmarks in Ravenna. The building was one of the antiques from semi-wilderness days and had long been outlawed in the court of community standards. But the higher court of profitable returns reversed the judgment and continued to protect the ancient eyesore until its own decree was overthrown by the unanswerable brief filed in the court of unquenchable flames. Then H. W. Riddle, Ravenna's greatest builder, took control of the situation by purchasing the site of the historic tavern and that of several shacks adjoining it on the south which also disappeared in the general conflagration.

Clear Away Debris

It was not long before he had a large force of men clearing away the debris and getting the ground ready for the foundation of Riddle Block Number 1, which was erected in 1888. Those who never saw the sorry-looking relic and its setting of scrubs and scarecrows can have but limited appreciation of the improvement made and of its transforming effect in the uptown district by the erection of such a four-story structure. It was Mr. Riddle's purpose to give visitors a better impression of the town by improving and modernizing its commercial center, and he carried out the plan in accordance with his vision and his faith in the future. He loved Ravenna and it is a tribute to the sincerity of his devotion to record the fact that instead of taking his money out of town, he invested the bulk of it at home in erecting a dozen business blocks, nearly all of which displaced buildings offensive to the eye, in building homes, and in equipping the community with many smaller shops for lesser retail purposes.

Erected in 1810

Returning to the "Old Exchange," it is recorded that the building was erected in 1809-10 by David Grier. When William Tappan laid out the town in 1808, he gave to David Grier the southeast corner lot fronting the public square, on condition that he should build a tavern thereon. He accepted the gift and forthwith began the erection of a public inn fashioned after the approved models of the day. It was a wilderness wonder and immediately became a center of hospitality for the ever-increasing company of newcomers. Grier was its first landlord and directed its service until he sold the place and built the famous Black Horse tavern, a quarter mile west of the village.

During these years the place was popularly known as "King's Tavern" and did a thriving business. The property was sold to the Etna Block Company in 1873, following which it was used for a variety of purposes until its final chapter was written in letters of fire.

Came to Ravenna 1845

Mr. Riddle then purchased the land between Main St. and East Maple Alley, on which he erected Riddle Block No. 1, thereby transforming the corner from one of an unsightly lot of old and out-of-date buildings to one of urban attractiveness.

That was the beginning of a series of notable improvements for which the city is indebted to the man who came to Ravenna without money or commercial backing and built up one of the largest carriage coach and funeral car manufactories of its day, known in all sections of the country. "Uncle Henry" made his fortune right here in Ravenna, and here is where he invested his money.