Retro Toledo Metro – Indie Local History

Media Play, 5223 Monroe St. #8104

MC Sports, 3355 Secor Rd.

This MC Sporting Goods store opened in 1986 at Executive Place Parkway. MC Sports was founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1946. This location became a Savers c2010 and is currently a Goodwill.

Gainsborough Studios, 1221 Madison Avenue

Gainsborough Studios was located on the southeast corner of Madison and 13th, formerly the site (front yard) of the Haunted House. The address of this corner was changed over the years, from 233 to 1209 to 1217 to 1221. Various businesses occupied this space including Charles L. Lewis Studio (1904-20), George B. Sperry (1911-13), Donna J. Tenney Interiors (1924-25) and Carl F. Asmus (Insurance) (1926-28). Site is currently a parking lot.

Haunted House on Madison Street

Looking north (near Jefferson and 13th) toward the intersection of 13th and Madison. Haunted House is on the far right. https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll33/id/121780

The Haunted House (circled in black in the Sanborn map below) was on the southeast corner of Thirteenth and Madison. The house sat a ways back from Madison and close to Thirteenth.

1888 Sanborn Map w/edits. https://www.toledolibrary.org/research

Stranahan Elementary School- Haunted Chamber: 1980-1984

Central Inn, 5922 W. Central Avenue

Opened 1951. Formerly Ray’s Tavern (c1946). Was located on the north side of Central Avenue between Warner Avenue and Holland-Sylvania (Kmart parking lot). Was owned and operated by James Puhl.

Hotel Monticello, 908 Jefferson Avenue.

The Hotel Monticello, built in 1893, was located on the northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Michigan Street. It was later renamed the Milner Hotel and the Earle Hotel. It was destroyed by fire and demolished in 1974.

https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll33/id/191246

Central Wrecking Co., 6012-18 W. Central Ave.

Source: *Toledo Lucas County Public Library Block Card Collection*

Happy Hollow Pony Riding Academy, 3152 Millicent Ave.

Baden family home in 1935 through 1949. Baden family also ran the Happy Hollow Pony Riding Academy which was located on the property adjacent to their home. The property and business was purchased by Richard Lederman in 1949, but apparently the business didn’t last long. The home has been updated and changed many hands since.

3309 Wilford Drive

Lot was purchased by Carl and Berdena Boyd in 1946 ($130.00) and house built in 1947. Sold in 1978. Has had multiple owners and updates since.