Crandall Block. This three-story wood-frame building was erected by Emerson S. Crandall in 1893 on the west side of Main Street occupying, much of the property between Water Street and Herrick Avenue. It was 60 feet deep and 100 feet long and it boasted the first cement sidewalk in town. There were five stores on the ground floor, and six large seven-room flats on the second and third floors. Additionally, two large halls were available for public entertainment on the third floor. Emerson Crandall’s store sold sleighs and horse accessories and later women’s, men’s and children’s clothes, shoes and accessories. A few of the other stores in that block over the years were jewelry, china and glassware, a grocery store and many more. The building burned the night of February 9, 1927.
Emerson Stead Crandall, born in Warrensburgh in 1846, was a prominent businessman whose father, Josiah, had settled in Warrensburgh in 1832 and started a tannery. His mother was Mary Ann Stead. Educated at the Warrensburgh Academy, he clerked from the age of 13 at Stephen Griffing 2nd's general store. He opened his own general store, E. S. Crandall, in 1867, moving it into the Crandall Block on Main Street, which he built, in 1896. Ads from 1896 advertise carriages and sleighs, along with all the accessories needed for horses, including harnesses and clippers. Later advertising included men’s, women’s and children’s shoes, underwear, umbrellas, and accessories. He held several public offices; justice of the peace, town clerk, supervisor and was twice elected to county treasurer. He was a member of the Board of Education and served on the board of the Warren County Fair. He also served as postmaster from 1894-1898. Mr. Crandall married Mary Mixter and they lived in the house on Main Street (recently the White House Lodge). They had three children, Mary S., Percy Emerson. and Charles Emerson. He died in February, 1926, one year before his Crandall Block burned to the ground.
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