HOMER, N.Y. -- History of the Wheadon Block building in Homer continues to reveal itself as neighbors lament its loss caused by Friday's fire.

According to the village historian it's been around for about 170 years, and was once the site of Homer's first newspaper, called the Homer Republican.

Paul Albro, a local resident who we caught up with, says he once attended classes inside the building as well.

"I went to school at Homer Academy, and at that time we had a fire after the war and we went to school in several different places here in Homer and I remember this location right here we went to school in 4th grade. Mrs. Judge," Albro said.

The present-day building housed a lawfirm, hair salon and three apartments.

About 15 people in all were displaced in the fire.