Interesting facts about the Former Village Hall
Liquor fines during the prohibition era provided the funds to erect this building in 1925. It was the first permanent home for Montgomery’s government. It was said during those days, after the bootleg liquor was confiscated and the culprit tried, that the “stuff” had a way of leaving the village hall and then sold on the streets of Montgomery the next day. Montgomery’s “Liquor Court” was well known and several thousand dollars went into the village’s coffers from the fines collected.
Bert L. Baldwin, mechanical, electrical and structural engineer, submitted a bill on June 23, 1926 of $3,733.00 for building a council chamber and jail in Montgomery Ohio. It was constructed of bricks and sat on the northwest corner of Shelly Lane (formerly West Street) and Cooper road. In 1959 an extensive remodeling job was started. The basement was remodeled into a clerk’s office, the police department and a caucus room. A lavatory was also installed at this time. The old jail cell was at the rear of the building on the first floor. In 1960 County Judge Richard Mittendorf held court here every Monday evening. In September, 1969 the village government moved into their new building on Montgomery Road at Schoolhouse Lane.
For a number of years this building was used one night a week by the Montgomery Building and Loan Company and was later purchased by Silverton Loan and Building. In 1976 the real estate firm of Century 21-Hartz and Restle bought it and remodeled it for its Montgomery branch office. Partners in the Norwood based firm were Dick Hartz, Bob Restle and Marty Ferris.
On August 3, 1977 Montgomery City Council unanimously voted for Landmark status for this building. Over the years this building has been an antique shop, gift shop and is now a children’s clothing store.