GAYLEEN GINDY

6307 Monroe Street – Clean Express Auto Wash

Before 1900 there is a long list of people that owned this next property. But no structures were built until 1903 after Jacob and Lena Dietrich purchased the 2.56 acre parcel where they built their home. The 1910 census listed them living here as follows:

• Jacob Dietrich – head – male – white – 44 years old – second marriage – currently married 17 years – born in Germany – came to the U.S. in 1865 – occupation – motorman – T & W Railway – owned home.
• Lena Dietrich – wife – female – white – 45 years old – second marriage – currently married 17 years – born in Germany – came to the U.S. in 1865 – occupation – none.

They are still living here at the 1920 census and he was still employed as a motorman for the T & W Railway,  the passenger train service that used to run through Sylvania. Jacob died in February 1924 and his obituary said the funeral would be held at the residence, known as Toledo & Western Railway Stop 23. He was buried across the street in Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were made with Dolph, Reeb and Sons. 

This property transferred into Lena Dietrich’s name in 1924 where she was living at the 1930 and 1940 census and listed as a widow. The 1940 census shows that she owned her home valued at $1,900, was 75 years old, attended school through the eighth grade, and was not employed. 

Lena passed away in 1947 at the age of 83. Her obituary appeared in the Toledo Blade on Dec. 8,1947 listing only one brother, Joseph Foxhuber of Toledo, four nieces and three nephews surviving. In 1948 the property transferred to her brother and he sold it in 1949 to Jesse F. Crandall, a local farmer born and raised in Sylvania. Crandall owned other parcels along Monroe Street and properties to the rear. A 1949 aerial photo of the parcel shows that the property had been completely cleared of all structures. It was probable that Crandall cleared the land  demolishing the 1903 house (there are no photos of this house available). 

In 1954 Frank Weis purchased the property and owned it until 1956 when he sold to Dorthea M. Burch. Her husband, William Burch was a well-known building contractor in Sylvania. They had been married in 1931 and by 1947 lived at 5604 McLain Dr. in Sylvania Township. At that time they were also operating a Dari Fair, an ice cream business, at 5227 Alexis Rd. They built a 20-foot by 24-foot cement block commercial structure and operated a business called Dari-Fair Dairy Bar. Then, in 1958, they added a 14-foot by 20-foot addition on the rear of the building and opened a restaurant called “Bill’s Big Burger.” In 1959 they moved a one-and-a-half-car garage to the property for storage. 

An advertisement in the Sylvania Sentinel in 1959 reads: “There’s NO Burger As Good As BILL’S BIG BURGER – Two big lean hamburger patties, cheese and choice of relishes—only 50 cents – Now Serving Dinners – Chicken, Spaghetti, Roast Beef, Other Entrees – Delicious Pizzas – 6 Varieties to Choose from 30 cents to $1.85 – Drive In – Carry Out – Table Service – 6307 Monroe Street.”

In January 1961, an announcement in the paper said Bill’s Big Burger would be closed for 30 days while extensive remodeling was underway. Mr. Burch reported that he was adding an indoor dining room and cafeteria to better serve the area. The March 30, 1961 paper featured an ad as follows: “Announcing Bill’s Big Burger Re-Opening – All New, Completely Remodeled – Now You Can Eat Inside or Use Our Dine-A-Mike Service From Your Car – – – QUICK SERVICE!”

A notice in the Jan. 28, 1963 issue of the Toledo Blade listed those who had taxes due. William F. and Dorthea Burch were listed, DBA Dari Fair and Bill’s Big Burger, 5227 Alexis Rd. and 6307 Monroe  St. in Sylvania. Five years later the Toledo Blade dated Oct. 21, 1968  listed the same notice regarding the businesses. The Blade classified ad section dated Oct. 16, 1969 advertised a restaurant auction at “Bill’s Big Burger, 6307 Monroe St., Oct. 18, 1969 at 10 a.m. Sale conducted by Ray’s Auction.” They then listed all the restaurant items that were to be auctioned, and ended by saying “This has been a well operated and kept up restaurant. The merchandise is in fine shape. Owners Mr. and Mrs. William Burch.” (No photos of this restaurant are available). 

1983 – Donald M. and Suzanne Kowalka

1985 – The Sam Davis Company, Inc.

1993 – David W. Greenberg

1997 – Soft Touch Car Wash

2022 – Clean Express – Monroe Sylvania LLC

On 3-24-2023 a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to officially open the Clean Express Auto Wash. The $2.5 million renovation features state-of-the art equipment.