THE SHORELINE DISTRICT & THE JACKSON STREET PIER
HINDE AND DAUCH
The massive three story brown brick building to the W. of the Jackson St. Pier is now the Chesapeake Lofts, home to luxury condominiums offering a splendid view of Sandusky Bay. READ MORE
THE HINDE & DAUCH PAPER CO. & THE PAPER DISTRICT HISTORIC MARKER
When the original marker was damaged, it was decided to replace it with a 2-sided marker that would more accurately describe not just the building, the importance of the paper district. In 2023 (after several years of waiting for construction to be completed by the city) this marker was finally installed in December 2023.
Side 1 – THE HINDE & DAUCH PAPER COMPANY
James J. Hinde and Jacob J. Dauch operated a business selling baled straw to paper mills, and in 1888 they expanded by taking over a bankrupt paper mill on Fillmore Street. Demand for better packaging to transport fragile items led Hinde and Dauch to manufacture packaging products made from corrugated cardboard, which became highly successful. Hinde and Dauch opened additional factories on West Water Street east of Decatur Street in 1895, on Mills Street by the waterfront in 1910, and on Railroad Street (later renamed Shoreline Dive) west of Jackson Street in 1918. By the 1950s Hinde and Dauch was the largest Sandusky based company with factories throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1953 the company merged with the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, later renamed the Westvaco Corporation, becoming its container division. Westvaco operated the Shoreline Drive factory until 1981 when it was acquired by Displayco Midwest and later by the Chesapeake Display and Packaging Company, which closed it in 1997.
GORDON AND BARBARA WENDT & THE ERIE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2021
Side 2 – THE PAPER DISTRICT
The name “Paper District” signifies the many paper industry businesses that operated in this area in addition to Hinde and Dauch. Sandusky International was founded as the Sandusky Foundry and Machine Company at the corner of West Water and Decatur Streets in 1904 to produce centrifugal roll castings used in paper manufacturing. The Scott Paper Company operated a factory on Shoreline Drive from 1945 until 1980 producing Cut-Rite waxed paper and other products. Stowe-Woodward operated a factory at the corner of Lawrence and West Water Streets from 1962 until 2004 producing rubber coverings for Sandusky International’s centrifugal roll castings. Beginning in 2003 much of this area was redeveloped by Mid States Development Corporation and the City of Sandusky. Mid States Development converted the former Hinde and Dauch factory on Shoreline Drive into the Chesapeake Lofts condominiums, which opened to residents in 2007. The former Scott Paper factory was demolished and the site rebuilt as the Paper District Marina which opened in 2011.
GORDON AND BARBARA WENDT & THE ERIE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2021
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORICAL MARKER
At the entrance to the Jackson St. Pier is an historical marker recognizing the activities of the Underground Railroad in Sandusky during the years preceding the Civil War. READ MORE
JOHNSONS ISLAND HISTORIC MARKER
Also at the entrance to the Jackson St. Pier is an historical marker providing information on Johnson’s Island and its Confederate Prison. READ MORE
JACKSON ST. PIER
Always changing. At one time it was an industrial pier, later a ferry landing, Now activities are planned all summer long. READ MORE
THE COAL DOCKS – From the seawall on Jackson St. Pier the coal docks are clearly visible to the left (NW) of the pier. Sandusky has one of the finest and best protected harbors on the Great Lakes. READ MORE
G. A. BOECKLING BUILDING AND CEDAR POINT PIER
The pier on the E. side of what is now known as the Jackson St. Pier has always been known as the Cedar Point Pier. Starting in the 1870s, it has been used for boats carrying guests to Cedar Point and then back to Sandusky. Over the decades a number of boats have used the pier. The most famous—and beloved by Sanduskians—was the steamer G.A. Boeckling. READ MORE
JACKSON STREET
From here you head back to your car in the parking garage. Just turn away from the Lake and follow Jackson Street North. When you reach W. Market St. – be sure to note the
SANDUSKY REGISTER/STAR JOURNAL BUILDING
314 W. Market St.
Although the Sandusky Register building was built in the early 1920s, the newspaper traces its history back to the early 1820s. READ MORE
Now just turn left and walk back towards Columbus Ave on W. Market St. You will end up back at your parking garage. This ends the walking tour. But that doesn’t mean this is all the historic sites and buildings there are in Sandusky. Be sure to take in these other tours: