In 1878, August Floto realized his American dream and built a three-story brick building on North Fourth Street where he operated his place of business.
August Floto came to America with his family in 1846 at the age of 2. His father and brothers were mason and stoneworkers. August Floto was the only one in the family to graduate from school and opened a shoe business in 1867 at the age of 23. By the time he was 32, he had
purchased a lot of Fourth street and erected this building with the masonry skills of his family.
In 1879, a fire gutted the building. August Floto was not deterred, kept the shell of the building, and rebuilt. This building served as the first permanent library in Steubenville from 1880 to 1902, when it was moved to the new Carnegie Library. August Floto provided the
library the space rent free as he felt the citizens of Steubenville should be entitled to a good education.
August Floto was a leading citizen in the city and one of his descendants later went on and served as mayor of Steubenville.
The Appalachian Community Grant funding will see the Floto building removed from the demolition list and restored to its original grandeur and transformed back into an asset that can be utilized by businesses.
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