And now we move onto a whole new series of squint shots -- these will be of the red house at the southwest corner of South Collins Street and East Grand River. Some may remember the Kuhn name, but probably more would remember one of this house's more famous residents -- Nellie Glenn and her husband, Dr. Glenn. Nellie Glenn became the village's historian, albeit probably unofficially, over the years until her death at the age of 90 in 1975. A great deal of her writings can be found in the Fowlerville Historical Collection.This house was also owned, at one time by Patti Reis, who did a great deal of work renovating and refurbishing this house. Currently, it is rental property. But now, onto the squint shots of this house. I was given permission to wander at my leisure through the house and photograph to my heart's delight. It was vacant in the late fall of 2010 so I was able to see some of the unique features of the inside, unadorned with furniture, pictures, drapes, etc. Today's picture starts with the moment I pulled into the driveway off of South Collins Street, and looked at this outbuilding. 
The following shows a 1922 surveyor's map -- the house is at the right side of the map, with the garage shown below it. 
In the early years of Fowlerville, the buggy manufacturing operation of Turner & Archer was located at this corner. Eventually those buildings were relocated.
The first comment offered up on the squint shot showing a 12-foot long piece of wood, tapered at each end (although you can only see one end), was in fact one portion of the first water pipes used in Fowlerville. As relayed by Doug Burnie, these water pipes were particular to Fowlerville, as those made for Howell were of a certain taper, and etc. for other communities. In future posts, I will be showing the great debate for waterworks, electrical, and fire protection that went on before all of these systems were put into place.Thank you to 'anonymous' for guessing the right answer.
February 2, 2011, has proven to be a snowy, windy, and beautiful Groundhog Day here in Michigan. And, according to the Punxsutawney groundhog, Phil, it is going to be an early spring -- even if it doesn't look that way as shown in the pictures below. Phil poked his head out of his burrow, after his handlers urged him along, and "after casting an inquisitive eye towards thousands of his faithful followers, he proclaimed that the Steelers are going to the Super Bowl!" And, "he surveyed his surroundings carefully and found that there was no shadow around; so, an early spring it will be." This according to the official website for Punxsutawney Phil.Here in Fowlerville? We will just have to wait. As for now, enjoy these few photographs of downtown Fowlerville, taken as quickly as possible before I ducked back into the car. 
In 1961, with Fowlerville celebrating its 125th anniversary of the arrival of Ralph Fowler, a special edition paper was published highlighting many of the businesses in town -- and one of those articles included the Spagnuolos. Following is the picture and article:
I would like to offer this particular squint shot up as a puzzle. Does anyone know what this might be? It is made of wood, about 12 feet long, and is hollowed out. It has been stored for many, many years on the second floor of the hardware store, but that's not originally where it would have been found. 
Any guesses?
James Bean has changed the name of his opera house from music hall to Bean's Grand Opera House.Once it was opened, the first official performance, according to an article in The Fowlerville Review, was,Bean's opera house will be opened on the evening of Wednesday, June 15, by Mr. A.F. Bennest, primo tenor of Christ church, and the Uterpe Ladies Quartette of Detroit, Michigan. This quartette is the foremost in musical circles in Michigan.Mr. Bean is to be congratulated on being able to secure the services of this company for the opening of his beautiful new opera house. He has gone to a very great expense in fitting up such a place, in order that the people of Fowlerville might be able to boast of a fine opera house, at the same time enabling first-class shows to play here.Mr. Bean has done a great deal of corresponding with different companies and finds that he cannot get any better attraction than the Uterpe Ladies Quartette.He takes great pleasure in announcing the opening, promising the citizens of Fowlerville the greatest musical treat that they have ever had.After the grand opening:Formally Opened to the Public~~Bean's grand opera house was formally opened to the public on Wednesday evening by the Uterpe ladies quartette and Mr. A.F. Bennest, of Detroit. The building is a fine one, the walls being handsomely and artistically decorated, with two fine boxes and good ventilation. The concern was one of the finest ever given in Fowlerville and was well-received by an appreciative audience, each number being heartily encored and kindly responded to by the quartette. Quite a number from Howell and Williamston were in attendance.
The last couple of days have shown some photographs I was able to take of a sign board found by Doug Burnie of the hardware store while he was doing some renovating before the cold weather descended upon us. This was back in September, 2010. As I left the rear (north side) of the building, I checked out the painting that was also in progress. 
The opened window in the upper left corner is the one where he found the sign board for F.J. Cook Hardware. The outside painting has long since been done, so the next time you are at the back of the building, check out how nice it looks.
