|
History The Drake Monument Company has been traced back to the 1920's. As ownership changed names so did the company. In the 1920's it was the Home City Granite Works owned by James R. Doyle. Then it went to Louis Wilcox and the name changed to Kelly-Wilcox Monument Co. In 1933 Harold Drake became the owner and the name changed to Drake Monument Company and has kept that name ever since. When Mr. Doyle was owner the company was located in the cliffs on Fountain Avenue near the college on Plum St. Then it moved down by the News-Sun in Springfield when it was taken over by Mr. Wilcox. In 1945 Mr. Drake bought the current property on W. McCreight Ave. He started building in 1945 and moved to the location in 1946. Charles Crist came to the company in 1943 when he was only 13 years old. His main jobs were sweeping, cleaning, sandblasting, and setting stones at 50 cents an hour. Charles helped in the move to the McCreight Ave. location and painted the building. After the death of Mr. Drake in 1961, Charles left the company and went out on his own. First starting a lettering business that went around Ohio and several other states adding the final dates to memorials. During this time Drake Monument changed hands several times. In 1965 Charles bought property in Lawrenceville and transformed it into C. R. Crist Memorials. Charles ran this company from 1965 until 1992. It was always his dream to go back and own the business where he got his start in the monument industry. In 1991 Charles got his chance. He bought Drake Monument and turned it into his family business. Joined by his son Charles R. Crist Jr., and shortly after, daughter Linda J. Conley, they made it a family affair. Charles Jr. started as a boy helping his father with digging foundations and later learned sandblasting, layout, and design. Linda started in sales as the bookkeeper and office manager. In 1992 C. R. Crist Memorials closed and Drake Monument became his primary business. Charles Jr. and Linda stayed on with their dad until the summer of 1999 when Charles retired. That is when the next generation stepped in. Charles Jr. and Linda took over. Soon after Linda's daughter Emily joined the crew. A new computerized drafting system was installed and opened up more design possibilities for customers. Now, Linda's husband Joseph, has signed on to make this a full family affair. |