1893 image of Hawkins House after Cyclone — Nobody was killed

Built:

Original use was the Hawkins House Hotel.  The Hotel was known as one of the finest hotels on the Chicago road.  It replaced the old Hawkins House Hotel which was a wood frame structure located where the ‘union block’ was built at 200 west Michigan Avenue.

• 1893 – Building severely damaged by Cyclone (Tornado) that hit downtown Ypsilanti in April of that Year.   “The most narrow escape was at the Hawkins House.  A porter in the upper story of the destroyed part of the building fell with it and was pinned down so that he had to be released, but was found whole and only slightly bruised.  One of the girls in the adjoining room at the time the walls fell in, Josie Coghill by name, was imprisioned in the room and although thus buried in the debris was not much injured.  In rescuing her Frank Kirk had his eye injured by a brick striking him.  A traveling man asleep in his room waked to find himself in the room below him but he was unhurt.” Pg 753 Past and Present of Washtenaw County Michigan.

You can see in the 2nd picture where 214 and 216 are located. The one story addition was placed where the entrance courtyard of the Hawkins House Hotel was. The Hawkins House Hotel is the gray structure behind.

• 2008 VG Kids screen printing

200 to 212 West Michigan Avenue are one building. Built in 1879 it was originally referred to as the ‘Union Block.’ Today many people know the building as the ‘Kresge Building’ because an S.S. Kresge store occupied the first floor from 1929 until 1966. Prior to 1929 and after 1966 a wide variety of business occupied the retail spaces, while apartments were above.

Style: Italianate Commercial
Built : 1879
Builder / Architect: Josiah Fish Sanders

200:

• ~1892 JF Sanders Merchant Tailor
• ~1892 Dr. John B. Van Fossen Dentist — Van Fossen was an avid bird watcher
• 2008 J. Neal Mongolian Grille

202

• ~1891 George M. Hull physician and surgeon.  Also residence of George M. Hull
• ~1892 Trim & McGregor Dry Goods, Cloaks, Ladies and Children’s Shoes (Norman B. Trim, James E. CmGregor) James E. McGregor was city cleark from 1898-1900

204

• ~1892 WP Stone & Co. (William P. Stone) Groceries and Provisions
• c1913 – Alban & Augustus Palace Meat Market
• c1929 Drug Store
• 2008 Frank’s Drugs

206

• ~1892 Trim & Co (Ethan E. and Norman B. Trim, James E. McGregor) Boots and shoes

208

• ~1892 Wallace & Clark (James N. Wallace, William J. Clarke) Furniture and Undertakers

210

• ~1892 Mrs. E.M. Curtis – Milliner
• 2008 Bowerbird Mongo Antiques and Collectibles

212

• ~1892 Western Union Telegraph Co.  (Joseph H. Manning, manager) and Dealer in Cigars and Tobacco.
• 2008 Fast Eddie’s Musical Instruments

c1912

c1939

c1980 – Photo found at the Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation web page.

2008

Built in 1905

• On site ~1892 John Wagner Tailor
• 1905 opened for business
• 1919 closed for remodeling
• 1920 reopened in April 1920 w/mural by Alexander Maestro-Velerio — artwork is still a prominent feature of the first floor. If you look through the doorway to the back you will see it.
• “Cheese Grater” facade added mid 50s early 60s.
• 1970 – Fire August 20th
• 1980 National Bank of Ypsilanti – Robbery of $421,000 January 16th, Inside job
• Restored
• 2008 Home of Heikk’s decorated apparel studio

• ~1892 Frank H. Barnum Jewler
• ~1892 Residence of Alonzo H. Goldsmith. It is not a coincidence that the guy living at the jewelry store is named ‘Goldsmith.’ Local act no 350 of the Michigan legislature April 12,1881 allowed Alonzo H. Smith to change his name to Alonzo H. Goldsmith.

• ~1892 meeting place for Masonic Excelsior Chapter No. 25 (first Friday each month); Meeting place of Masonic Phoenix Lodge #13 second Tuesday of each month; Meeting place of Masonic Union Council #11 every third Wednesday of each month.
• ~1892 William R. Davis Boots and Shoes
• ~1892 G.E. Waterman Photographer — nationally showcased photographer

• ~1892 Densmore & Fell (Garry W. Densmore, William I. Fell) clothing and Gent’s furnishing goods. William L. Fell born in Belleville in 1861. First employment was at the leading clothier of Ypsilanti, the late J.F. Sanders. After 5 years decided on business for himself and formed a partnership with G.W. Densmore. Business successful for 8yrs. In the fall of 1898 Fell sold his interest to Densmore and moved to battle creek.
• ~1892 residence of Charles W. Wing, carpenter.

2008

Built 1970′s.

Original building burned in a fire in the 1970s. The fire that destroyed the building was a large fire taht took place in the afternoon.

• ~1892 Daniel B. Greene, Insurance and Real Estate
• ~1892 Wells & Fisk (Harlow D. Wells, Hiram C. Fisk) Groceries and Provisions. “Choicest of fancy groceries, and here the daintiest and most toothsome table delicacies may be found”, store 20×80 Wells has been in the same location for 15yrs (at first with Weeks and Lawrence). W&L had the building until Wells began manufacturing brooms at building which did not last long then he went back into retail with Fisk (~1888). — Wells Grandmother taught Abe Lincoln’s children. src: Portrati and Bio Album of Washtenaw County

• ~1892 #117 John D. Cook, Barber
• 2008 #117 Vacant, #119 Terry Bakery