As Friendsville branched out from the river, Walnut Street became the site of Frederick Fox’s planing mill, then hardware store, the Post Office and a tin shop. Fred Fox was also a builder and many of the old buildings display his handiwork and were built with his materials and expertise. He also sang in the quartet and directed the Friendsville Military Band.
When David A. Custer built a flour mill next to the Fox complex, a second hub of activity was established. The large foundation stones of the mill can still be viewed in the basement of the buildings now used as a hardware store and motel (Northeast corner of Walnut Street and First Ave.)
George Savage built the home beside the small church across from the motel. Phil Garlitz purchased the home when his mill was flooded along Mill Run during the construction of the Youghiogheny Reservoir. Mr. Garlitz placed the mill stone from his mill in the sidewalk in 1945.
The small chapel was originally Bill Bowers Shoe Repair. Charlie Barr lived there and in 1970 Reverend H.B. Rittenhouse bought the property and created the small Church which was used primarily as a wedding chapel. The reclusive Reverend Rittenhouse recorded gospel radio shows in a small recording studio on site and leased airtime on nine radio stations. His wife Betty Rittenhouse was the last occupant of the home and died in 2007 at the age of 81. Truck drivers would sometimes hear the radio program in far-flung places and residents returning to town would know they were close when they heard his program on area and national radio stations.
The house with the columns on the SW corner is where August Neil offered photography, clock repair and worked as a jeweler. His second shop and home moved to Maple Street, where he also began selling newspapers and comic books.
Thomas and Priscilla Gary built the house on the NW corner (pictured right and still standing) which then became shopkeeper Henry Wolfe’s. He sold his home and main street business to Evelyn and Olin Friend who turned his shop into the Clover Farm Store, now the S & S Market on Maple Street.