Squint Shot 112310

Two buildings that were hidden in yesterday's photograph can be found at the right hand side of today's. The Fowlerville Library and the Fowlerville Fire Department buildings can be seen on Mill Street -- did you know the grist mill (that stood three, maybe four, stories tall) occupied these two lots until into the late 1950s? It was eventually used by the fire department as an intentional burn, and then the buildings you see today were built in its place. At the center of the picture, the large empty lots can be seen. At one time, it was hoped to build more storefronts and office space, fronting on West Grand River, but those plans have been put on hold. These lots, though, carry the hidden ghosts of a rich history -- from being Fowler's Orchard in the mid-to-late 1800s, to the location of a roller skating rink (the place to be in the 1890s), to a lumberyard owned by numerous entrepeneurs, as well as the location for the old water tower and a used car lot.

As regards to Fowler's Orchard, I came across the following article, published in The Fowlerville Review in 1883:

Although the night was rather cold for ice cream, about 300 people gathered at R. Fowler's orchard on Wednesday evening in attendance at the lawn social. Several tents had been erected and the trees were liberally hung with Chinese lanterns, giving a very pleasing effect to the scene. The proceeds amounted to about $32.00.

And now for a commercial . . . if you are interested in reading more about the evolution of this land, be sure to pick up a copy of The Fowlerville Chronicles, either through this website or by giving me a call.