305 - 307 E. Main Part I

Address:  305-307 E. Main

History predating Lowell’s first brick building: 1835-1864
 
Luther Lincoln “rolled up” the logs for a cabin on this site in 1835 but left before occupying it because he had unknowingly built on what was designated as “University Lands.” He was angered and left this area to go further north up the Flat River. He and his young son built a sawmill near what is now Greenville. Lincoln Lake is named for him as is Lincoln Lake Road.

In May 1836, James and Amelia Christler and their five children arrived from Canada, finished the cabin and occupied it for two years. Next it was used by Daniel Marsac for a tavern/inn to provide for travelers on their way to Ionia to the land office. In 1848, when it was Timothy White’s Tavern, the first township meeting was held here and Mrs. Roxinda White suggested the name “Lowell” for our township after Lowell, Massachusetts. (The township became Lowell in 1848 but the Village did not become Lowell officially until 1861 when the State Legislature approved it).

The log cabin was added onto by building additions around the original log structure. It became the American Hotel under Arza King. In 1863, when King closed the hotel and left town, Edmond Lee moved his grocery store here from across the street. A year later, the structure caught fire and burned. It was found that the original log walls were still inside. They smoldered for days.
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Next week we will explore the history of Lowell’s first brick building; now the oldest brick structure in town that was built here after the fire.
 
Images:

The Pullen Building now occupies 305-307 E. Main
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Timothy and Roxinda White