315 Schenck Street
The property was once owned by William Vandervoort and the building is believed to have been built in 1873. It was known as Tonawanda Brewing Co. in 1901. For many years, it served the community as a neighborhood tavern, known as McRae’s Tavern and then as C. J.’s Tavern until approximately 1999. In the early 1900’s, it was known as Bach’s Bar and was owned by present City Treasurer Leslie Stolzenfels’ great-grandparents.
Credit: North Tonawanda History Museum files. Photo: 315 Schenck Street in 2004, courtesy of Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal.
"I found the information on 315 Schenck of interest. The information indicates that at one time it was called "McRae's Tavern." This must have once been owned by Gustave C. McRae (1884-1941), who married a first cousin of my grandfather, Mary E. Batt (1883-1947). His obituary, transcribed below, says that he was a "hotel operator" and that his daughter, from whose residence his funeral was held, was at 315 Schenck."
Credit: Doug Batt, Wilmington, Delaware, January 2004
OBITUARY:
GUSTAVE C. McRAE PASSES AWAY
HOTELMAN SUFFERS CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE
Stricken with cerebral hemorrhage late yesterday afternoon at his home, 77 Wheatfield street, Gustave C. McRae, life-long resident and hotel operator in North Tonawanda for many years, died shortly after 4 o'clock this morning in the DeGraff Memorial hospital. Mr. McRae was a member of North Tonawanda lodge, No. 860, B.P.O.E., and Tonawandas Aerie, No. 1411, F.O.E. He is survived by his wife, Mary, nee Batt; two daughters, Mrs. William Thompson of Albany, N. Y., and Mrs. Norman K. Werth of North Tonawanda; three grandchildren; a brother, John McRae of North Tonawanda and four sisters, Mrs. Fred Bagley of Buffalo, Mrs. Mattie Mulholland of Mayville, N. Y., and Mrs. Alex Black and Mrs. James Wilson of North Tonawanda. Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 8:30 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Werth, 315 Schenck street, and at 9 o'clock from the Ascension church. Rev. Daniel Molloy will officiate and burial will be in Mt. Olivet.
Obituary: Courtesy the Buffalo Evening News - August 14, 1941
To view an image gallery of 315 Schenck Street, please click HERE.