MANSFIELD — Two historic buildings in downtown Mansfield will soon be under new ownership.
The historic Bissman building and its adjoining warehouse sold for a combined $346,100 during an online auction Saturday.
Auctioneer Shad Remaley confirmed the two lots were purchased by the same bidder, but declined to name the buyer.
The iconic four-story building, located at 193 N. Main Street, generated 285 bids from 23 registered bidders. It sold for $120,100.
It contains more than 33,000 square-feet, including a full basement, office areas, storage rooms and a rear parking area, according to the online listing.
The industrial warehouse, located at 175 N. Main Street, generated 134 bids from 11 registered bidders. It sold for $226,000.
It’s more than 9,000 square-feet and includes offices, restrooms, storage areas and loading docks, according to the online listing.
Bissman building’s history: grocery store, haunted attraction, film spot
For 139 years, the Bissman Building has been an iconic part of Mansfield’s skyline.
The Bissman Building is named for the Bissman family, who traveled by steam ship from Germany to the U.S. in 1853. The family ultimately settled in Mifflin.
Peter Bissman worked at The Tracy and Avery Company as a boy and later decided to open his own wholesale grocery business where the Richland Carrousel Park is currently located.
In 1886, the Bissman Company relocated to its iconic structure at 193 N. Main St. The building was constructed by the same contractors who worked on the Ohio State Reformatory.
As a grocery distributor, the Bissman Company carried everything from coffee and cigars to alcohol and mouse traps. The company employed hundreds of people.
The grocery portion of the store closed in 1976, but the business continued as a beer distributor until shutting down in the early 2000s.
In the 2010s, it operated as the Haunted Bissman Building, offering ghost tours for paranormal thrill seekers.
Ghost hunters believe the soul of F.W. Simon, a former Bissman grocery employee, still lingers in the building.
The fourth-floor manager was decapitated on the third floor by the elevator the day he was set to retire in 1911. Some believe he was sticking his head out to talk to his fellow employees.
Some psychics believe Ruthie Bissman, the granddaughter of Peter Bissman, also haunts the building.
Other people claim to have seen the watchman, who guarded the Bissman Company after its safe was broken into once.
The Bissman Building has been featured on shows like “Ghost Hunters,” “My Ghost Story” and “Ghost Asylum,” the movie “The Dead Matter,” and a music video for Mushroomhead.
The building also served as a filming location for The Shawshank Redemption.
A first-floor room was transformed into the “Portland Daily Bugle” editor-in-chief’s office, and the facade of the building was used to portray the Brewer Hotel in the film.