Saving building a good idea

My mother Helen Sanders, who lives in Portland, called me on Valentine’s Day and told me some Portland history that might be interesting to Portland residents, past and present.

As a child of eight or 10 years she stood looking out of a second story window with her grandmother on Boundary Pike and watched the first Weiler Building burn down. There were explosions from chemicals in the doctors’ offices on the top floor of the building.

She said the current building was quickly built and has housed many different businesses.

As a young girl, I used to enjoy going to Weiler’s Department Store and watch my payment for purchased goods shoot up a metal brack which went up, around and about into the upstairs office. It fascinated me.

My grandmother-in-law, Ruth Franks, worked at Weiler’s for many years.

It was good to hear that the second Weiler Building has been found to be sound and that a piece of Portland history will not only be saved but will be an educational asset to Jay County.

Yours truly,

Marjorie Sanders Franks

Fort Dodge, Iowa

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