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==Comprehensive History==

==Comprehensive History==

The Iron Block building was constructed in 1853 for property owners James C. {{Surname|Jacobs}} and John H. {{Surname|Kauke}}. It has had many different monikers over the years: [[Kauke's building]], [[Iron Block]], [[Frick Building]], and [[Amster Building]]. In 1889, Jacob {{Surname|Frick}} added a fourth floor to the building and placed his name on top of the building. After Nick {{Surname|Amster}} bought the building he put his name on top of the building.<br>

The Iron Block building was constructed in 1853 for property owners James C. Jacobs and John H. Kauke. It has had many different monikers over the years: [[Kauke's building]], [[Iron Block]], [[Frick Building]], and [[Amster Building]]. In 1889, Jacob Frick added a fourth floor to the building and placed his name on top of the building. After Nick Amster bought the building he put his name on top of the building.<br>

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This stately red brick structure with hand-cut stone trim is assumed to have been built as a commercial block. With its stone-capped pilasters separating its eight bays of symmetrical windows on the upper two floors, the original structure reflected the Greek Revival style that was highly popular across northeast Ohio at the time. The low-crowned roof looked flat from some angles, and a series of decoratively cast square iron support columns along the front of the structure resulted in its being called the "Iron Block" for many years.<br>

This stately red brick structure with hand-cut stone trim is assumed to have been built as a commercial block. With its stone-capped pilasters separating its eight bays of symmetrical windows on the upper two floors, the original structure reflected the Greek Revival style that was highly popular across northeast Ohio at the time. The low-crowned roof looked flat from some angles, and a series of decoratively cast square iron support columns along the front of the structure resulted in its being called the "Iron Block" for many years.<br>

The ground floor of the building was leased steadily during the 1800s, and it was considered to be the city's best business location. The upper floors were typically occupied by lawyers, real estate firms, and insurance agencies.<br>

The ground floor of the building was leased steadily during the 1800s, and it was considered to be the city's best business location. The upper floors were typically occupied by lawyers, real estate firms, and insurance agencies.<br>

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In 1898, a bankrupt business in the building was bought out by newcomer Nick Amster, a friend of Frick. Amster remodeled and expanded his own clothing business multiple times beginning in 1907, becoming one of the largest men's clothing establishments in the northeast Ohio area, and in 1922, he purchased the building from Frick's estate. After Amster's death many years later, the property passed to his daughter, Julia Amster {{Surname|Fishelson}}.<br>

In 1898, a bankrupt business in the building was bought out by newcomer Nick Amster, a friend of Frick. Amster remodeled and expanded his own clothing business multiple times beginning in 1907, becoming one of the largest men's clothing establishments in the northeast Ohio area, and in 1922, he purchased the building from Frick's estate. After Amster's death many years later, the property passed to his daughter, Julia Amster Fishelson.<br>

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In January 1995, Fishelson leased the property to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners with a 10-year option to purchase it. The commissioners purchased it in 1997, and in 1998 they began a renovation of the structure to meld it with the [[Wayne County Courthouse (1878-Present)]] and relocate the county's law library there, along with offices for a variety of other county operations.<ref>The Wayne County Courthouse, Courthouse Annex, and Amster Building: A Brief History and Self-Guided Tour</ref>

In January 1995, Fishelson leased the property to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners with a 10-year option to purchase it. The commissioners purchased it in 1997, and in 1998 they began a renovation of the structure to meld it with the [[Wayne County Courthouse (1878-Present)]] and relocate the county's law library there, along with offices for a variety of other county operations.<ref>The Wayne County Courthouse, Courthouse Annex, and Amster Building: A Brief History and Self-Guided Tour</ref>