404 W. Main

400 W. Main

The southwest corner of Hudson and Main Streets has had a series of four buildings over time.

The Parks Manufacturing Company built the first building. They purchased the southwest corner lot of Hudson and Main Street from Chris Bergin in 1904. It had 83 feet of frontage on Hudson Street and 132 feet on Main Street. Bert Vanderlip and Gilford Johnson were contracted to build a steel-sided building, 100 x 30, and twenty feet high parallel with Main Street in 30 days. Cement walks ran the entire length of the lot along both streets. Inside were offices in the front and a bench room in the rear with accommodations for twenty-four men to work. The second floor was for painting and the molding of woodwork. They manufactured cream separators, sprayers, hand trucks and Mr. Parks’ latest invention – the Cyclone plaster distributor and insect killer.

The Dratz Manufacturing Company, previously the Lowell Furniture Factory, operated here from 1909-1911. L. A. Dratz of Muskegon arrived in 1909 to become a partner with Mr. Seydewitz. They purchased the interest held by the Lowell bank in this property and resumed operations. W. E. Burt of Detroit arrived in 1910 to take charge of the finishing department. Inside, the first floor held the machine room, the second floor held the cabinet room and a painting and finishing area. From the Sanborn map, we see that there was also a free-standing dry kiln on the lot.

The Lowell Ledger reported that on Dec. 7, 1911: “The furniture factory formerly occupied by Dratz Mfg. now defunct and owned by the Lowell Board of Trade is to be opened and operated by George. M. Winegar. It will be called Winegar Manufacturing Co., and they would make wood specialties.” The Lowell business directory from 1912-1919 says that they made school furniture.

The W. H. Chase Manufacturing Co. of Grand Rapids occupied the building next, from 1919-1925, and manufactured library and davenport tables. Peter DePagter was the manager. Mr. Winegar rented his machinery to the Chase Company, but the building remained the property of the Lowell Board of Trade. Chase Co. left Lowell in January 1925 paying stockholders only 50 cents on the dollar.

On February 24,1927 it was reported that Runciman's Brown Seed Company would move from the Chase Furniture building (soon to be torn down) to the Veneer building of the Peckham Furniture Co. near the railroad tracks on the east side of Lowell.

In 1927 the first building was torn down and L. E. Johnson built a new Ford Garage. The building had a footprint of 84’x128’. It had walls of red brick on the east and north sides and walls of cement on the south and west sides. It had a stockroom, 60’x21’, a showroom, 42’x21’, office, 10’x18’, repair shop 60’x21’, and a storage department, 68’x63’. Show cases divided the stock and showrooms. At an angle across the corner next to Main and Hudson, Johnson also had a new drive-in gas and oil station which faced both streets. Johnson conducted the Ford Auto Agency here until 1934.

A new Ford Agency and Hi-Speed gas station held a Grand Opening on Nov. 18, 1937. It was called Curtis-Dyke (Arthur A. Curtis and Orrin O. Dykhouse) Ford Sales & Service and included a 24-hour wrecker service. 1937 is the year the Curtis family moved to Lowell from Grand Rapids. During the preceding month, J. C. Hatch was contracted to modernize the building. He cut a new door on the Hudson Street side that opened into the lubricating department where a new hydraulic lift was installed. The service department was moved to the north side, with a complete parts department. A women’s restroom was added as well as neon signs and a mercury light.

C. H. Runciman Motor Sales was the next occupant of the corner from 1943-1955. It was managed by J. A. Anderson, followed by Jay Boelens (1947). Lee Pitsch was the Service Manager. C. H. Runciman Co. Motor Sales moved to 149 S. Hudson in early 1955. This was the former location of his farm implement store. The name changed to Boelens and the slogan became “Bigger to Serve You Better.” Boelens maintained a used car lot at Main and Hudson for a couple of years.

The third building was Vern E. Armstrong’s Pure Oil Gas Station. He had moved across Hudson Street from 324 W. Main. He advertised accessories, tires, batteries, car washing, lubrication, oil change and Road Service. His hours were 6:30am to 9 pm.

Dick Beimers began his service station career as an employee of Vern Armstrong when his station was across the street. Returning to Lowell after military service, Dick was associated with the Pure Oil Co. for 20 years and owner of this station from 1960-1979. He had two full-time employees - Edward Armstrong and Francis Wright. In 1960, the station was advertised as Dick’s Pure Oil Service Station “At the Stoplight.” At that time, there was only one stop light in town. From 1973-1979, it was Dick’s Union 76 Service.

Michael’s Farm Market built the fourth and current building on the corner in 2000. Next it was Scott and Barbara Carpenter’s Blue Ribbon Feed retail store. It has been New Union Brewery since 2016.

Images:

C. H. Runciman Co. Authorized Ford Sales & Service building plus his filling station with 3 gas pumps, 1940s.

Dick Beimers began his service station career working for Vern Armstrong at his gas station across Hudson Street. Returning to Lowell after military service, Dick was associated with the Pure Oil Co. for 20 years and owner of this station from 1960-1979. Union 76 bought out Pure Oil in the 1960s and Lowell’s station changed names in 1973.

Dick Beimers, 1968

The red business card is the back side of a vanity mirror.

Map showing Dratz Manufacturing
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​Map showing Winegar Mfg.