The Lowell Area Historical Museum is taking us on a stroll along Main Street and sharing the history of buildings in Lowell’s historic downtown. To learn more about Lowell history, visit the museum website to explore its collection of local artifacts and records.
Address: 216 W. Main (216 W. Main St STE 1)
Built by: Barney McGee
Built: 1867
1st business: C. R. Hine & Co., Drugs
C. R. Hine & Co., which included Jas. W. Hine who later became editor of The Lowell Journal (1873-1886), was the first business to open in the new brick block in 1867. C. R. Hine had operated a small grocery since 1862 but now changed to a business in drugs. Wooding and J.Q. Look purchased Hine’s drug business in 1870; Wooding retired and it became J. Q. Look, Druggist after 1876. John Quincy Look was the older half-brother of D. G. Look who also became a druggist (and was later located next door at 214 W. Main for 50 years.)
J.Q. moved across the street to 215 W. Main in 1883 when that new block was built. Dr. L. D. Sunderlin, Drugs followed J. Q. at this location (1883). There was a barber in the building in 1885. In 1889, Orton Hill purchased this building from Barney McGee. He repaired it and put a new plate glass front in at once.
Charles Althen occupied the building next in 1890. Previously, in 1868, Charles Althen had a gent’s clothing store across the street in the Lee Building at 123 E. Main. In 1874, he moved to the corner store of Train’s Opera House, 202 W. Main. In 1890, he moved to this location and operated here until 1904 when he sold his business to his son-in-law Martin Simpson. Althen was an innovative entrepreneur. In 1895, he “fitted this store with gas fixtures and manufactured his own gas by putting the machinery in the cellar and a tank stuck seven feet underground, in the rear of his buildings across the alley.”
Here’s Chas. Althen Gent’s Clothing in a photo taken between 1892 and 1904. The D. G. Look drugstore is on the left and City State Bank on the right. Althen’s son-in-law, Martin Simpson, purchased the business in 1904.
It was R. VanDyke’s Men’s Wear until 1932.
Here’s a photo from 1928. You can see the Men’s Wear sign on the building. G. W. Parker Farms office, Michigan Bell Telephone Company, and Springett Insurance are on the 2nd floor above 214, 216 and 218 W. Main. The sign for “Art Hill Shoes” is also visible.
In 1934, it became M. D. Hoyt Hardware and Farm Implements. Hoyt had recently disposed of the Hoyt Lumber Co. and then decided to re-engage in business by opening a builder’s hardware here. The Chicago Bargain Store opened in 1941 and advertised Dry Goods, Ready-to-Wear Gents’ Furnishings and Notions. Clayton Mallery was the owner and C. E. McLauglin the Manager. In January 1945, when Mrs. McLaughlin went to the alley to see where the glow of light was coming from, she discovered a fire two doors away. The fire destroyed much of the building at 220 W. Main but thanks to her they only sustained smoke damage in their building.
Miller Electric Co. was here in 1949. Ralph’s Furniture and Appliance opened in 1959; it later was called The House of Townsend. The Flat River Antique Mall used this building from 1987 until 2006. Olivia Grace Salon & Facial Bar has been operating here for 3 years. They employ hair stylists and licensed Estheticians to do haircuts, hair treatments, facials, color, waxing & sugaring, eyelash & hair extensions, lash lift, brow & lash tint.
Here’s what 216 W. Main Street looked like in the past. It’s the storefront with the white awning.
And here is 216 W. Main Street today:
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