About Us

The History of Heneghan’s Run

A local landmark comes back to life in its second century

As we began renovating these old buildings, people started to take notice—and the Ocean View Historical Society asked members for more on the history of the three buildings. According to the Society (in a terrific Coastal Point article by Marsha Evans), the buildings were originally a feed business owned by the Steele-Kauffman dual-family enterprise, and later by Chester V.Townsend Jr. (The Steeles and Townsends were prominent local families in the poultry and feed industries, respectively.) The article notes, “The Townsend feed house, a thriving business for its time, also sold paint, coal and fertilizer. Elmer Quillen was the main serviceman of the Townsend operation.” The building stored and sold 100 Lbs. sacks of the famous Red Comb Broiler Mash. (picture)

The article describes those glory days: “Feed houses of the time served as supply houses for the broiler industry, with some having scales to weigh chicken trucks when they were sold. The feed house would mix and bag the feed, which poultry farmers would then stop by and purchase. Trucks backed up to the loading docks at each of the three buildings.” (The original scales are still there, currently hidden under the Drifting Grounds yellow truck.)

In 1975 (per records shared with the Society by Mr. Robert Kauffman), Ruth and Perry Alexander bought the property from C.V. Townsend Jr. and opened Antique City. In 1987, the property was sold to John Huegel. It housed numerous businesses: rental equipment, plumbing, computer training center, real estate, an art gallery, a craft country store and the original Yesterday’s Fun toy store.

We thank the Historical Society and the Ocean View residents who have helped and continue to piece together the history of the buildings. We hope to bring these grand old structures back to a bustling new life and provide new services to this wonderful community as these buildings begin their second hundred years!

Read the full Coastal Point article here