78 Main Street (Nevius Brothers Building)

Dating from the 1880s, this tall and narrow shop building is a small but well-designed example of the Italianate style. The upper two stories of the street façade demonstrate a complicated interplay between segmental and half-round brick arched windows, set into the projecting and receding planes of the brick wall, with decorative window hoods and brick quoins and dentils. Very tall paired and triple brackets support a bold cornice, with a central segmental pediment.

This small building is directly across from the Courthouse and played a prominent role during the Lindbergh trial when it was home to its most famous tenant, the Nevius Bros Department Store. It had the best view in town of the proceedings. Reporters rented space and photographers used the third floor to get many of the best pictures.

The Nevius Brothers store was a successful operation for a long time and many locals claim to have worked there. Two offspring, Albert and George operated branches in Trenton and Somerville respectively.

Later the building became Blahers, Hallmark, Potting Shed then an Antiques store. The third-floor walls contain the signatures of many of the people who have worked, stayed and visited over the years.