312 E. Main
312 E. Main
This block, once known as the Old Wooden Row, was the first business block in Dansville (Lowell). Built between 1846 and 1870, it contained 11 wooden buildings along the south side of Bridge (Main) Street between Monroe and Washington Streets. This was the first building placed in the row. It was the 5th building east of Monroe Street when the row was complete. This building was built by the Odawa on the ground where Oakwood Cemetery is now during the summer of 1846. That was the location of the Odawa village. On December 7th 1846, they brought the building to this site with eight pairs of oxen. Cyprian Hooker and his family, along with Odawa helpers, were building their frame house where the Flat River Grill is today at the same time –December 1846. Daniel Marsac kept a store here for two years followed by John S. Hooker for one year. After that it was used for various purposes- a saloon, shooting gallery, bakery, and dwelling. W. B. Rickert may have operated Lowell Bakery and Restaurant here at the same time the City Bakery was just two doors away in the 1870s. Miss Kate Egan opened a shop for the sale of millinery and fancy goods in 1891. The Lowell Ledger established by F. M. Johnson began in this building in 1893. In 1894, Johnson wrote that he had “placed a large sign in front of our place of business. There have been quite a number who have been waiting for this guide and now those who are anxious to pay their subscriptions will know just where to look for the Ledger office.” The Johnson family lived on the second floor. The Johnsons lived and printed here from 1893-1898. Frank and his wife Myrtilla started the printing business with only a few hundred dollars worth of hand type and an old George Washington handpress, but with the aid of friends they managed to succeed. Myrtilla edited. They came to Lowell because Lowell Republican leaders had asked them to come. The other newspaper in Lowell, called the Lowell Journal, supported the Democrats. The two newspaper editors were bitter enemies looking for chances to get at their opponent. Readers had to buy both papers to keep up with the constant exchange of words. One day while the Johnson family was living here, their 3-year-old son, Roy, climbed into Mr. Reuben Quick’s pigpen which was located behind the row of buildings. The pen held a sow with a litter of pigs. A playmate encouraged Roy into the pen where he was ferociously threatened by the mother hog with gnashing jaws and driven into a corner. The savage protests of the sow and cries of the terrified children brought Mr. Quick to save the boy. A fire which began in the laundry building next door destroyed this building on July 11, 1907. It was owned by Mrs. A. P. Hunter at that time and known as the Hunter building. Images: The first frame building in the Old Wooden Row was built by the Odawa in 1846. The stairway to the second floor was outside to the right of the building. Sanborn map, 1885. Barns and sheds were in back of the Row where little Roy had his escapade. F.M. Johnson, editor The Lowell Ledger began in this building in 1893. Mr. Johnson, proprietor of the Lowell Ledger, is on the right, standing with arms akimbo. The next gentlemen to the left is H. W. Garrett, paper salesman, from whom Mr. Johnson bought paper and supplies. The third man is Amos O. Andrews who learned the printing trade in the Ledger office. They called him “peanuts” because he loved to eat them. The man on the far left was a “tourist” printer. |