The Southmayd Building, at 542-544 Main Street in Middletown, is an outstanding example of a nineteenth-century commercial block with a cast-iron facade. It was built by George M. Southmayd, who was in the undertaking business. His father John B. Southmayd had started the business at his home, which stood on the same site. In 1911 Ludwig Krenz bought the building (It is also known as the Southmayd-Krenz Building) and opened a bar and restaurant and it has been used for that purpose ever since under various owners.
Next door, at 548 Main Street, is the former J. Poliner & Sons Shoe Store, built in 1833. The store later moved to a larger building at 512-528 Main Street.
Southmayd Building (1872)
My parents owned this building