O’Neil’s Building History – QR Code

The first dwelling located in this spot was constructed in the mid 1800’s. It was located at the NE corner of Broad and High Streets. The Mohn house, facing Broad Street, became a hotel or inn and served visitors travelling through Wadsworth. From its front porch, customers could observe the passing of the electric interurban car that passed several times daily in the early 1900’s. Behind the hotel, the Colloredo Harness Shop faced High Street.

 

In 1917 the wooden hotel was removed and the brick Albrecht Building was constructed. This new edifice initially housed the Acme Grocery Store #39 on the north end and Day Drug Store on the south end at the corner. Eventually, Glenn Brenneman purchased the build and he and his wife operated the drug store. It became known as Brenneman’s Pharmacy Store and then Brenneman Drug Store. This became a gathering place for high schoolers attending Central High School as it maintained a soda parlor at the back of the store.

The building was purchased by Patrick O’Neil’s family in the late 1980’s. Throughout the successive years the storefronts included businesses: Bee’s Dress Shop, Brittania Imports, O’Neill Group Insurance, Picket Fence Floral, Caffessimo’s, Whole Day Cafe, Cool Beans and Valley Cafe.

The building continues to be a gathering place for downtown Wadsworth. It is the front porch to the community.