1.02.152
Print, Photographic
1949 Approximate
Waseca Parade. Lewer Building. Waseca Main Street. Waseca State Street. Material: paper. Size: 2" x 3". Description: black and white photograph; marching band at a Waseca parade; South State Street and 2nd Avenue S.E.; three story brick Lewer Building in background.
Found with other photographs, Accession 1.02.150 abd 1.02.151, with note from Katy Bartelt, Roseburg, OR. Built in 1916-1917 by Ewald Lewer, originally a three-story structure. The building’s basement was home to the E.E. Webber Barber Shop and the L.J. Fiebiger Tailoring Establishment. G.M. Hartson Confectionery Store was on the main floor. Dr. F.A. Swartwood’s offices and the Waseca Cooperative Milling Company’s offices were on the second floor. The third floor was used by the Lewer Garage as a paint shop and for storage purposes. Over the years, businesses continued to utilize the building along with the E.W. Lewer Garage. Display room of the garage building was leased to the Post Office department in 1926 until 1937. The Waseca library then rented the space and they remained in the building until after World War II in 1951. Lightning hit the building on September 1, 1966 causing the third floor to be destroyed by fire. The third floor was home to the gunstock manufacturing division of Herter’s Inc. Crevice Café was on the first floor of the Lewer building directly north of the garage offices. Jerry Huntington’s barber shop was located in the front basement of the building.