115 E. Main
115 E. Main
Built between 1870 and 1885, this two-story wooden building was vacant in 1885. From 1891 to at least 1918, the first floor was the tailor shop of B. C. Smith. The second floor was his family residence. Benjamin Smith advertised as “B.C. Smith, The Merchant Tailor Takes the Lead in Business Suits, Fine, Dress or Wedding Suits. Five Hundred Samples of Fine Imported and Home Goods always on hand. Shirts, Collars, Cuffs and Neckties.”(1893) Other ads read, “B. C. Smith, Merchant Tailor. Gent’s Furnishings.” The words “Merchant Tailor” were displayed on the store awning. In 1904, Smith moved the front of his building to the south so it would be even with the new Weyrick building at 121 E. Main. He put cement piers under it and built a solid sidewalk in front. The building was not consumed in the fire of 1905. The westward movement of the fire from its inception in the Boylan Hardware store, where the Flat River Grill building now is, stopped here. “A good fight and winning one was made at B. C. Smith’s tailor shop and residence. This building had been recently steel-covered. And after a long and fierce battle the fire was stopped there. Mr. Smith’s stock of cloths had been removed in safety; but his household goods and building were nearly ruined by fire and water. He was fairly well insured.” Lowell Ledger, April 13, 1905 During the 1930s, the Priscilla Hat and Dress Shoppe owned by Mrs. J. A. DuByn and Miss E. E. DuByn was here. The establishment handled a fine line of modishly styled Ladies and Misses ready-to-wear and millinery. In addition, the Priscilla Shoppe specialized in fur remodeling, repairing, dressmaking and tailoring. The shop was purchased by Mrs. Florence Stiles in 1937. She moved her business, Stiles Beauty Shop, here and also sold hats and dresses. In 1945, Mrs. B. C. Smith (Mr. Smith passed away in 1923) sold the building to Frank Godfrey. At that time, it was occupied by the Bannan barber shop. Earl Noah’s barber shop was here next. The building was destroyed in the Fire of 1958. The Pemberton family of five was living in the apartment upstairs. They were evacuated safely but lost all of their possessions. Earl Noah lost his barber business. Images: Benjamin C. Smith, Tailor, 1893. The westward movement of the 1905 fire was stopped at 115 E. Main (the fourth building to the west of Boylan’s Hardware where the wall says “Stoves”). The awning reads Merchant Tailor and the window sign – Smith the Tailor. Advertisement for the PRISCILLA SHOPPE: Furs Repaired and Remodeled Dressmaking — Alterations Millinery and Dresses 115 E. Main St Lowell, Mich. (advertisement in Lowell Ledger, 12-14-1933) |