This column first appeared in the May 2016 issue of GreeneSPEAK!
Although “Ganiear’s” is written across the decorative metal cornice at the top of 138 East High Street, the place is more often described today as the “Floral Building,” recognizing the Waynesburg Floral business that was long operated by the Rice family. Many Waynesburgers have a fondness for this building with happy memories of going inside to pick up bouquets and boutonnieres for the prom or flowers for their wedding.
Sadly, in the
past decade, they’ve watched the abandonment and deterioration of this handsome
building by a subsequent owner who did not maintain the roof. As large holes began
to appear, rain and snow caused major damage inside, destroying pressed tin
ceilings, plaster walls and hardwood floors.
Now there’s
good news to report. The Redevelopment Authority (RDA) of Greene County has
gained ownership and addressed the blight. Based on a structural engineering
analysis, they demolished the unstable rear portions on April 6th. Now
they are focused on saving the front (original) section with an adaptive re-use
that will include both commercial and residential.
The Ganiear name has been associated with this lot since 1847 when a cabinetmaker named James Ganiear, and his wife, the former Rebecca Johnson, purchased it from the estate of William Crawford. Like all original lots in Waynesburg, it was 60 feet wide and 180 feet deep.
The front section of the building will be saved. On the left is the rear of Ganiear House with the new two-story porch added by the author. |
The Ganiear name has been associated with this lot since 1847 when a cabinetmaker named James Ganiear, and his wife, the former Rebecca Johnson, purchased it from the estate of William Crawford. Like all original lots in Waynesburg, it was 60 feet wide and 180 feet deep.
A small colonial
house of hand-made bricks stood along the western property line at that time. James
and Rebecca added rooms, creating the 5-bay front façade that continues today,
highlighted by a central entrance door with fan and sidelights. Members of the family
lived in the house for the next 120 years, finally selling in 1976.
Today, I am the proud owner of “Ganiear House.” After five years of renovation, it is fully restored and occupied. The Brandon Meyer Law Office is on the first floor with two apartments on the second. Behind the house is a barn that was the original location of the furniture shop. The barn also sheltered the family cow, horse, buggy, and even a horse-drawn hearse. The hearse was necessary because, in addition to making furniture, the Ganiears were undertakers. Although this combination seems strange today, it was typical in the 19th century when cabinetmakers also made coffins.
Ganiear House today. |
Today, I am the proud owner of “Ganiear House.” After five years of renovation, it is fully restored and occupied. The Brandon Meyer Law Office is on the first floor with two apartments on the second. Behind the house is a barn that was the original location of the furniture shop. The barn also sheltered the family cow, horse, buggy, and even a horse-drawn hearse. The hearse was necessary because, in addition to making furniture, the Ganiears were undertakers. Although this combination seems strange today, it was typical in the 19th century when cabinetmakers also made coffins.
Before James
died in 1864, he had expanded the business to a frame shop on the eastern end of
the lot, next to Whiskey Alley (today Wood Street). Rebecca and their sons,
John Hayes (“Hayes”) and David, continued the business, followed by grandson Charles
Hedge Ganiear.
J. Hayes Ganiear, son Charles Hedge Ganiear and grandchildren in front of the family business. Published in 1907 in Waynesburg Prosperous and Beautiful by Fred High. (greeneconnections.com) |
Between 1896 and 1900, Hayes Ganiear replaced the frame shop with a handsome 3-story brick structure. Its front was built of rusticated sandstone, topped with a cast metal cornice that proudly announced the family name. This was the beginning of the current “Floral Building,” and is the part that will be saved by the RDA. Similar cornices were added to other buildings in the block at the same time, including next door at Ganiear House, changing the roof line from gable to shed.
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