More Than 170 Years of Commerce on Main Street
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For more than 170 years, the Marcy Block has been one of downtown Sandwich’s busiest business addresses.
Beginning with the original wooden buildings erected in 1854 and continuing through today’s Village Square Mall & Johnsons Floral, the property has housed an extraordinary variety of merchants, professionals, and community businesses. Banks, pharmacies, physicians, dentists, cigar makers, restaurants, florists, jewelers, attorneys, barber shops, clothing stores, and many others have occupied the building over the years.
This page serves as an ongoing reference to the known occupants of the Marcy Block. As additional newspapers, city directories, advertisements, photographs, and business records are discovered, new entries will continue to be added.
Businesses in the Original Marcy Block (1854–1893)
1854
- Culver Brothers
1870s
- Culver Bros. Bank
1884
- Sedgwick Bank
1886
- Dean & Kennedy, Barber Shop
1888
- P. B. Marr, Cigars
1893 (At the Time of the Fire)
- Sedgwick Bank
- Irve Schrader, Barber Shop
- Tom Emerson, Cigar Factory
- Conrad Munch Restaurant
- Dan Dickinson (upstairs residence)
Businesses in the Brick Marcy Block (1894–1976)
1894–1900s
- Dickerman & Company, Drug Store
- B. Wiltsey, Jeweler
- Mike Nathan
- Billy Millinger, Barber Shop
- Ida Becker, Millinery
- E. B. Newton, Music Store
- Dr. J. C. David
- Dr. G. S. Culver
- Dr. Louise Culver
- Dr. R. G. Dakin
- Dr. John Hamill
- Frank R. Cox
(Additional businesses and dates will be added as research continues.)
Village Square Mall Era (1977–Present)
During the late 1970s, the Marcy Block entered a new chapter when the building was renovated into the Village Square Mall. While the format changed, the building continued serving the community as a center for locally owned businesses.
Known occupants include:
- Johnson’s Floral & Gift (1970–Present; building purchased by Leon Johnson in 1975)
- Village Square Mall (1977–Present)
- Holland Drug
- Naomi Anderson
- Connie Wiley
- Lee Hill
- Chuck Johnson
- Hollywood Video
- Additional specialty shops and professional offices
Professional Offices
Throughout its history, the Marcy Block has been home to numerous physicians, dentists, attorneys, insurance agents, and other professionals.
Known occupants include:
- Dr. J. C. David
- Dr. G. S. Culver
- Dr. Louise Culver
- Dr. R. G. Dakin
- Dr. John Hamill
(This section will continue to expand as additional research is completed.)
Did You Know?
Over the years, the Marcy Block has housed:
- Banks
- Drug stores
- Jewelry stores
- Music stores
- Barber shops
- Restaurants
- Cigar factories
- Florists
- Clothing stores
- Physicians
- Dentists
- Attorneys
- Beauty shops
- Gift shops
- Video rentals
- And dozens of other locally owned businesses.
Few commercial buildings in Sandwich can match the variety of businesses that have called the Marcy Block home.
Continue the Story
Related Articles
Research & Sources
Primary Sources
- Sandwich Argus
- Sandwich Free Press
- Contemporary business advertisements
- City and county business directories
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
Additional Sources
- Historic photographs and postcards
- Village Square Mall occupancy records
- Research collection of Historic Sandwich, Illinois
Editor’s Note
This page is intentionally designed as a living reference. New businesses, dates, advertisements, and occupants will be added as additional research is completed. If you have photographs, advertisements, or information about a business that once operated in the Marcy Block, we’d love to hear from you.