Sale of the Knights of Pythias home, pictured here, to Wilbur
(Doc) Gill, as well as the K. of P.-owned Gulf service station
property just west of the home, to the Graff Coal and Oil company,
was announced today by Herb Benson, chairman of the lodge trustees.
Both sales have been approved by the lodge trustees and the Grand
lodge, Benson said, and the deals need only to be officially written
in contracts to be completed.
The Knights of Pythias home is located on the north side of East
Center street, just east of the High street intersection, and
the Gulf service station, long operated by Frank Firestone, is
located adjacent to the home on the west.
Benson said the Knights of Pythias lodge has purchased for $2,250
a tract of nearly one acre from Arthur Dennis, located on the
east side of the extension of South Buffalo street, just adjoining
south of the Mrs. Frank Harmon residence, and across the street
east of a filling station owned by the E. A Gast family of this
city.
It is planned to start building immediately a new Knights of Pythias
home on the new location, which will be approximately 90 by 60
feet and will be a one story structure with an auditorium and
state, Benson said.
Trustees of the Knights of Pythias lodge, in addition to Benson
are Charles Andrews and Ralph Thompsonl.
To Tear Down Home
Gill, who operates a motel just east of the present K of P home,
said he planned to tear down the home and build an addition to
his motel.
Wayne Graff, operator of the Graff Coal and Oil company, said
he would assume ownership of the Gulf service station and intended
to enlarge it and give the station more frontage.
Firestone, who operates a Royal cab service at the filling station,
said he would move his cab business across to the west side of
High street, to a building owned by William Chinworth and which
until a year ago was occupied by the Service Electric company,
operated by Robert Breading, Jr. Firestone has already moved some
of his equipment. He plans to discontinue his filling station
services and devote his entire activities to his taxicab business.
The K of P home is a landmark in this city. Some 78 or 80 years
old, it was originally the home of the prominent Gibson family
of early Warsaw days.
|
|