1961 Standard Station

In the 1950s and 60s, changes were taking place in the village of Fowlerville. One of those changes was moving the Standard Station that formerly was located at the southwest corner of East Grand River and South Second Street to the southwest corner of West Grand River and South Ann Street (currently a BP gas station). The following article, published in The Fowlerville Review, gives the details:

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A completely new and modern Standard Service Station will soon be located on the corner of Grand River which will be the new of Glenn's Standard Service.

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The house now being demolished on this site was built by H.A. Beebe for Nelson Swarthout in about 1892. Mr. Swarthout was then a partner with E.W. Burkhart in the elevator here.

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Previous historical records of this property tell us that in 1876 this plot (lots 31-32) of the village of Fowlerville was occupied by the blacksmith shop of H.M. Chalker. In the rear was the village 'lock-up,' the iron padlock of which was on display in the Blackmer store window during the 125th anniversary celebration. It was a part of the Ralph Fowler third addition of Fowlerville adjoining the original village.

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In 1910, the residence was occupied by Mr. Franks, several having occupied and owned it up to the time it became the Andrews property. It is also remembered that in 1910, a long shed in the rear of this home was used by George Adams, editor of the Fowlerville Review, for construction of printing presses, which he and John Ellsworth invented and manufactured for a number of years.

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So, does anyone actually have recollections (or pictures) of the house that used to stand at the southwest corner of West Grand River and South Ann Street? I have a picture of the house during demolition, which is shown in my book, The Fowlerville Chronicles; but it would be great to have a better picture to show here.