Last week we explored the old Medical Building that housed Drs. Leck and Morrow in the 1930s and 40s. Before erecting their own building, the physicians were tenants in the Hirsch building, on the corner of Main Street and what was then Water Street (now 4th Avenue).

There was even an operating room on the second floor.

George Hirsch came to Austin and opened a clothing store on the south end of Main Street, what is now Hastings Shoe, in 1887. Hirsh immigrated to the U.S. from Germany in 1873. He worked in several states, then set up a store in Council Grove, Kansas. After a fire destroyed it, Hirsh came to Austin on the recommendation of a wholesaler.

In 1901, Hirsh built the store that still stands, now occupied by Brick Furniture. The second floor and basement were rented over the years by a variety of concerns including Kinney and Detwiler, architects, Brown Brothers Barbershop, S.A. Emerson, plumber, Dr. Abe Mackoff, dentist, Albertson and Albertson, osteopathic physicians, J.W. Mann, insurance, A. J. Coon, barber and the Austin Rotary Club.

Hirsh’s clothing business was taken over by his son, Alex Hirsh in 1927. In 1967, Jack Keenan purchased the business from Alex.

 This week at the HHH

•Thursday: Tour from El Rosa, Minn. at 9 a.m.

•Saturday: Halloween Costume Dance for Kids from 3 to 5 p.m. $1 admission. Costume contest at 4 p.m. Offered in cooperation with the Mower County 4-H Ambassadors.

 

Coming Soon

•Home for the Holidays: Nov. 8-10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

•Harris Piano Competition: Nov. 17. Details online at www.hormelhistorichome.org.

•Social Concerns: Benefits of Yoga: 10 a.m. on Nov. 20. Sign up to attend at 433-4243.