History of the Buckeye Building in Coshocton, Ohio

Coshocton Dentistry is located at 448 Main Street Coshocton in the historic Buckeye Building. Dr. Laaper and Dr. Dunlap are the proud owners and caretakers of this iconic downtown landmark. Here are some interesting facts we've discovered about the history of the Buckeye Building.

 Construction began just after the Civil War sometime in the late 1860s using only manpower and horse-powered cranes and is mainly constructed with local hand made bricks, large sandstone foundation blocks, and hand-hewn beams. After some recent renovation work, an original brick with the year "1867" carved into it by a brick mason was discovered in the building entryway.

We believe the building was opened for business sometime in the early 1870s. During its early years, it housed a market and general store, the Hack & Weisenberg Clothing Company, a butchery in the basement, and Drs Finley, Wernett, and Boone's dental offices on the second floor. The third floor is a large open space that was used as an "audience hall" for meetings and dancing. It still has an original cast iron coal-burning heating stove dated 1899.

 In 1913 the Buckeye Clothiers moved into the building. It quickly became a well-known regional destination point for fine men's and boy's clothing. They also were the sponsors of a popular semi-pro baseball team aptly named the "Buckeyes." The association with the team and the store is how the structure eventually became known as "The Buckeye Building." The Buckeye Clothiers remained as the primary tenant for over 60 years.

 In the 1970s, then owner and local businessman Seward Schooler initiated a major renovation of the building. He hired the Hathaway Company to update the facade and help restore the structure to its former glory. After 150 years, the building still remains in remarkable condition.

 In 1994, the first floor was converted into a state of the art dental practice by Dr. Dunlap and then later joined by Dr. Laaper in 1998. Other occupants over the years you may remember include Senters Outdoor Clothing, the Battenstin-McNichols-Sedanko Insurance Agency, Teddy Bear Express Children's Store, United Way, and currently H. Dewey Thompson Financial Services and Coshocton Dentistry.