306 E. Main
Address: 306 E. Main-Marble Company
This block, once known as the Old Wooden Row, was the first business block in Dansville (Lowell). Built between 1846 and 1860, it contained 11 wooden buildings along the south side of Bridge (Main) Street between Monroe and Washington Streets. This was the third building from Monroe St. Originally this wood frame building was a trading post/grocery operated by an Odawa citizen, William Cobmoosa. He was not the William Cobmoosa who was head of the Odawa village here, but a relative with the same name. His trade was mostly with the Odawa community. In 1854, it was recorded that there were only two buildings in the block that was to become the Wooden Row: the Cobmoosa trading post and the Touissant Campau store which sold mostly to settlers. When the Odawa were forced by treaty to leave Lowell for a reservation in Oceana County in 1857, Cobmoosa, the trader, probably left too. From 1863-1866, Edmund Lee had a grocery in a building in the wooden row. He was here until he finished building the first brick building in town directly across the street in 1865-66. His first grocery store may have been in this building. In 1882, the New Agricultural Depot opened here selling agricultural Implements, double and single buggies, double and single harnesses, whips, and halters. It was owned by Donnan & Culver who “determined not to be undersold by any other dealers, as we buy our goods in car lots for cash, which enables us to sell for less than commissioned goods can be sold for.” In 1884, J. C. Hare moved his marble shop which he had been operating since 1873 to this location. Hare took a partner, Charles E. Kisor, in 1889. Soon Kisor purchased the company and took A. P. Ayres as a partner and the name of the company became Kisor & Ayres. Kisor died in 1892, Ayres continued until 1895 when Joseph H. Hamilton purchased the marble business and renamed it Lowell Granite and Marble Works. Hamilton’s building was destroyed in the fire of July 11, 1907, which started one door east in the Lowell Laundry building. Hamilton had insurance on the building of $200, he lost contents valuing $1,000, with no insurance. However, he did not give up. He proceeded to find temporary quarters at 212 E. Main for his business and rebuilt at this location. He moved into the new cement building on February 27, 1908. Unfortunately, he was injured while moving a huge stone monument, it fell on his leg breaking it and crushed the bone. From this injury he never fully recovered and passed away in 1911. The business continued and has become The Lowell Granite Company today. It was said of Hamilton in the Lowell Ledger, June 22, 1911, “His ability and adaptability have resulted in the development of one of the largest businesses of its kind in Michigan.” Images Exterior of the building Ad, 1893. Ad, 1896. Joseph Hamilton |