13. Leech-Gruwell Building

When a nine-car "parade" was spotted chugging down Main Street in the fall of 1908 it convinced Albert (Bert) Leech that these was money to be made in the blooming love affair between the most prominent West Branch citizens and the new automobile. By early 1909 he has converted an old grocery building into an auto garage and by 1911 he bought this very lot and took on Harry Gruwell, a mechanic, to erect an up-to-date garage. The two accepted a big of $6,300 to build the two-story brick building that still stands today! Leech and Gruwell sold and repaired automobiles on the ground level and the local Masons relocated their lodge, rooms, library and kitchen to the second story of this new building.

When the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 it was home to Rex Hardware, the last in a series of stores that sold hardware and furniture after Leech's garage closed. The second story Masonic temple and lodge rooms were then vacant but intact. They were later converted into upper story apartments.

In 1988, the Leech-Gruwell building became home to Herb & Lou’s, a fresh-made pizza restaurant and full service bar, named in honor of former President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover. Herb & Lou’s continues to operate at this location today as a regional favorite.