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Resource Number: 5BL951
<br /> Temporary Resource Number: NIA Architectural Inventory Form
<br /> (Page 3 of 6)
<br /> V. HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS
<br /> 31. Original use(s): Single Dwelling
<br /> 32. Intermediate use(s):Single Dwelling
<br /> 33. Current use(s): Single Dwelling
<br /> 34. Site type(s): Residence
<br /> 35. Historical Background
<br /> Built circa 1913, this house was the residence of John Jacob (J.J.) Steinbaugh, one of Louisville's leading citizens 1
<br /> and businessmen from 1890 until his death in 1950. Born in Hanef, Germany in 1868, Steinbaugh immigrated to
<br /> the United States with his parents in 1885. The family settled in Sheridan, Iowa, but young J.J. soon set out to
<br /> make his own way in the world. After learning the blacksmithing trade at St. Joseph, Missouri, J.J. traveled west
<br /> to Salt Lake City, and to Denver where he found employment and gained experience as a blacksmith. Arriving '
<br /> in Louisville in 1890, Steinbaugh opened his own blacksmith shop on Front Street two years later. In the meantime,
<br /> in 1891, J.J. married Elizabeth (Lizzie) Stretz of Louisville. They had a son, Herman, born in 1982, and two
<br /> daughters, Gertrude and Amelia. Gertrude passed away at age ten.
<br /> In the late 1890s, Steinbaugh expanded his business to include the sale of wagons, buggies, harness, and farm 1
<br /> machinery. A few years later, he also began selling hardware. Herman Steinbaugh joined his father in the business
<br /> at an early age, and was initially involved in the sale of hardware and farm machinery. In 1928, the Steinbaughs I
<br /> added a lumberyard, after purchasing property that had been owned by the Zang Brewing Company at the
<br /> northwest corner of Front and Spruce Streets. A few years later, the Steinbaughs added the sale of furniture to their
<br /> extensive line of merchandise. Herman took over as head of the business upon his father's retirement, in 1941.
<br /> J.J. Steinbaugh passed away nine years later, at the age of 82. Herman, and his wife May, had four sons - Glenn,
<br /> Herbert, Jack, and Jimmie - all of whom learned the hardware business at an early age. After coming of age, the
<br /> four brothers eventually took over the business, which by then had become an Ace Hardware affiliate. In 1969,
<br /> Glenn Steinbaugh became the company's president after buying out his brothers.
<br /> On September 1, 1974 the Steinbaugh Lumber Company building burned to the ground in a disastrous arson fire.
<br /> Rather than closing the business, Glenn decided to persevere by relocating it to the old State Mercantile Building
<br /> at the northwest corner of Main and Spruce Streets. Steinbaugh Hardware operated in that location until 1997
<br /> when it was finally forced to close its doors, driven out of business by Eagle Hardware and Home Depot warehouse
<br /> stores which had opened nearby. Glenn's son, Tom Steinbaugh, was the business's last owner.
<br /> After they were married in 1891, J.J. and Lizzie Steinbaugh moved into a small house located here at the southwest
<br /> corner of Front and South Streets. In about 1913, J.J. contracted with Mike Fabrizio to build a new residence here.
<br /> Fabrizio,with help from his father, constructed this Classic Cottage style residence. This was the Steinbaugh family
<br /> home until 1935 when they moved to a new brick house at the corner of McKinley and Pine. Following the
<br /> Steinbaughs, this was the residence of John P. and Mary Kakalecik from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. John,
<br /> who was a miner, passed away prior to 1975, but Mary continued to live here through at least 1980. More recent
<br /> owners/ residents of this property include John K. Nelson, Timothy Shaughnessy, and C.S. Archer.
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