1 West Main Street

In this historic 1883 photograph, the Klem Brothers Store stood proudly at the corner of West Main Street and North Avenue. The photo captures several members of the Klem family, including Mary Mertz Klem, Bertha Klem, Elizabeth Knope Klem, store owner Alphonse Klem, Erbe Klem, Alphonse Klem Jr., Max Hoffman, Carrie Klem Gallagher, Elizabeth Klem Hall, and Jennie Frawley Leiberman. The store, which played a significant role in Webster’s commercial history, occupied what is now 1 West Main Street.

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5 West Main Street

Originally a one-story structure, this historic building saw an expansion when Mr. Jones, the neighbor, added to his property. Shortly after, a second story was added. Over the years, the building has housed a variety of businesses, beginning with a Meat Market.

J.D. Hall was the first known owner of the market, followed by William A. Smith, who operated it until 1916. The business was then sold to Louis Specht, my great-great-grandfather. The Specht family ran the meat market until 1941, when Donald King took over and transformed it into a grocery store and meat market, operating through the 1960s. Afterward, the building became home to Babcock Automotive.