Located at Chillicothe Street on the North West Corner of Fourth (4th) Street, the Masonic Temple Building was home to Bragdon's Dry Goods on the first floor. December 6, 1925 this building was partially destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt to only four floors and became Kobackers Department Store in 1928 and Desco in 1981.
In the photo, several unknown individuals can be seen on the right corner. The building at the right is the Hotel Washington. To the left, Adolph Brunner & Sons Dry Goods Store was located at 202-204 Market Street. A street car is running along the tracks in front of the store. Street cars in Portsmouth began running along tracks around 1893. The final run of the cars took place in 1938.
The Gilbert Grocery Company, started in 1832 by Martin B. Gilbert, was first located at 167 West Front Street. In 1898 this new building was built for the Gilbert business at 50-54 West Second (2nd). It was totally destroyed by fire in 1910.
The Portsmouth Banking Company was located at Second (2nd) Street at the South West corner Court Street in the Elk building as it was known at one time.
The Joseph G. Reed Company building was constructed in 1906 at 700 Second (2nd) Street. They sold dry goods and notions. It is now Horizon House Apartments.
The Harsha Flour Mills was located at 555 Eighth (8th) Street.
Wilhelmette Flats was located at the North East Corner of Fourth (4th) and Court Steets. John Wilhelm built this building and operated the Wilhelm Opera House on the top floor from 1870 until 1899. It was later made into Wilhelmette Flast apartments.
