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1800s barbershop finds new home

BRISTOLVILLE — An historic one-room country barbershop constructed in the mid-1800s has found a new home at the center park of Bristol Township.

Trustee Ramon French said a crew of volunteers last week moved the building from its location for many years off Route 45, a short distance south of Route 88 and placed it behind the Township Hall near other historic buildings and markers.

French said the move took about an hour.

Resident Mary Ann Raidel, who was involved with gathering history on the building, said Charles Shaffer ran a barbershop from the building starting in 1899 for more than 40 years and lived with his wife in a nearby home.

Shaffer died in 1941 at age 67.

Raidel said her mother, Leah Hubbard, in 2000 wanted to do something to repair the barbershop which had started to become in disrepair. Hubbard helped in restoring and recreating the original look of the building including the interior that included a single barbershop chair.

French and Raidel said plans are to next move a 19th century doctor’s office located off Route 45 across from where the barbershop was located. The doctor’s office was marked by a brass sign: ”Office of Dr. Brinkerhoff.”

”There were some insurance agents and a beauty salon who used the buildings in more recent years,” French said.

Raidel said at one time, Conrad Noble started his insurance agency at the barbershop building

The goal is to have both buildings officially set in place at the township center by Memorial Day (May 29) with a dedication planned in mid-June.

French said work will include placing beams under both the historic barbershop and doctor’s office. Local Boy Scouts are planning to help paint the barbershop. Raidel said interior painting at both buildings will be done prior to the dedication.

French and Raidel began this idea of moving the buildings about four years ago when they talked about maintaining their authenticity.

”We are thrilled to have both buildings. We had thought of creating a century park at the center. We wanted to restore and preserve the buildings,” Raidel said.

Both buildings were privately owned. Resident Ruth Smith gifted the barbershop to the township, while John Reynolds donated his building after hearing about the township’s plans from Raidel. Reynolds, the great-grandson of Brinkerhoff, will be bringing his band from Cleveland for the dedication.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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