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Out with the Old . . . Keiser-Van Leer Expansion, 1936

Seen here is the northeast corner of East and Market streets in downtown Bloomington, late 1935 or early 1936. Keiser-Van Leer Co., a mechanical contractor and hardware dealer, was preparing to demolish the two-story buildings in the foreground (both the wood frame and brick structures) to make way for a two-story Streamline Moderne addition. The five-story structure looming over the doomed buildings was to undergo a significant facelift as well, with its exterior matching the new addition. The talented Bloomington duo Archie Schaeffer and Phillip Hooton served as architects.
The Keiser-Van Leer building and addition later became home to Clark and Barlow hardware store. Today it’s occupied by East Street Hardware and Tools.
Linda Stengel2/07/19 12:39pm
My Grandfather worked at Keiser-Van Leer in 1942 according to his WWII Draft Registration card. I am new to Genealogy and this was great to find a photo of the building. Thank you