MAY 7 ISSUE ANSWERS: Last week, we discussed the small wooden Stirling Boot Store. The building was replaced in the 1870s with the three-story Italianate Citizen’s Bank with the arched windows that you see in the above photo. As with any business, a bank needs to impress its customers with a modern facility. In June 1925, the Citizens Bank purchased the Newbury corner store to construct a new building. Between the Newbury store and the first Italianate building was Mr. Casey’s store. The idea was to raze the Newbury store and replace it with a new structure, but in the process of demolishing the Newbury store, Mr. Casey’s store collapsed too. The Romeo Observer reported that Mr. Casey jumped under the counter and saved himself. A lady walking on the sidewalk fainted. No other individuals were injured. Because both stores collapsed, the Citizens Bank suddenly bought themselves a second building. When you view the current stores on Main Street, you can see the difference in the designs on the new fronts distinguishing the bank from Mr. Casey’s store. The original Italianate structure suffered some damage. Later the third floor of the Italianate building was removed. Mel Bleich, the late publisher of The Romeo Observer, said there was a fire later that caused the loss of the third floor. We finally found out when the new facade was added to the present Romeo Printing building. In 1922, the owners, Kinsman and Ellsworth, gave the front of their building a new facelift representing the new modern 1920s look. It was not because of a fire. Correction: Last week’s article said that the North Brick Block was constructed in 1867. It was built in 1857 so it was 11 years before the bird’s-eye drawing. R. Beringer Romeo Historical Society Curator