Martin Block

Date

1908-1916 (commercial); 1916-1954 (college)

Location

32-34 East College Street (demolished)

Architects/Collaborators

Builder unknown

History

The Martin Block, erected in 1908 by H.J. Martin at 32-34 East College Street, was purchased by the College in 1916. The use for College purposes of a part of the block began in 1919 when the office of the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds was established there. When the plan was adopted in 1920 of the centralized purchase and distribution of supplies for college residences and dining halls, a College Market was opened in this block. The carpenter, plumbing, and paint shops of the College were located east and north of the Martin Block in the year 1930, after the construction of the new Theological Quadrangle made it necessary to remove them from their former location. The third story was removed in the summer of 1941 for safety reasons. The department of Buildings and Grounds moved to the Service Building in the summer of 1949. The Martin Block was torn down in 1954 in preparation for the building of a newer Oberlin Inn.

Source

Oberlin College Archives, Office of the Secretary Records.