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: 306 E. Main
Date Built: 1908
Owner: J. H. Hamilton
1st business: Lowell Granite and Marble Works, J. H. Hamilton
J. C. Hare, who had worked as a marble cutter since 1859, officially founded Lowell Marble Works in 1873. It was first located one block to the east, then west of the river, next across the street where Flat River Cottage was, then in today’s Canfield Plumbing & Heating Building. Finally in 1884, J. C. Hare moved Lowell Marble Works to this location in the Old Wooden Row.
In 1889, Hare took on a partner Charles Kisor. Kisor purchased the company in 1890, partnering with A. P. Ayres to form Kisor & Ayres Marble & Granite.
Joseph Hamilton purchased the business in 1895 but on July 11, 1907, his building was destroyed by fire. Hamilton rebuilt on the same lot. His new cement block building was completed in February, 1908. However, while Hamilton and his friends were moving the heavy memorial stones into the new building, one fell on Hamilton’s ankle and leg crushing them to the bone. Hamilton died in 1911. His company continued under the management of Lee Walker as The Lowell Granite and Marble Works, J. H. Hamilton Estate from 1911 to 1918.
There were originally two buildings west of The Granite Company. The buildings were damaged in the 1907 fire but fixed up and used as a Second-hand shop until after 1929. About 1910 or 1911, Bill Metz owned the Lowell Cigar Shop upstairs above the Second-hand shop. The above image is from Lowell Cigar Shop-“Try a Lowell Chief 5c Cigar” or “Metz’s”. From left to right, Bill Metz, Bert Hawley and Carl Johnson are identified on the postcard.
In 1918, Lee Walker organized a stock company to operate the The Lowell Granite and Marble Works. In 1928, H. J. Englehardt was President; Lee Walker – Vice President; and Springett- Secretary/Treasurer. In Dec. 1928, Springett retired and Englehardt bought Springett’s entire stock. Englehardt became active in the management.
Harold Englehardt purchased the remainder of The Lowell Granite Company in 1930. It was here that he developed many close relationships by comforting families during a time of loss of a loved one. Homeless individuals stepping off the train that passed behind the business frequently visited him. While Harold never offered these individuals money, he would send them across the street to Lou Racine’s restaurant for a hot meal. He would “settle up” with the restaurant for the meal tabs on a weekly basis. In 1959, the Granite Company building was extensively remodeled–eighty tons of split face granite were used to cover the exterior. Upon completion, a 100th year anniversary celebration of the business was held.
In 1960, when Englehardt accepted the position of President of the State Savings Bank, he turned the management of the Granite Company over to Judd Wilterink who had been a long-time employee. Judson Wilterink purchased the business in 1972. His sons Jeff and John purchased it in 1989 and then added a two-story cement block commercial warehouse in 1990. In 2011, Jeff and Wendy Wilterink bought John out. John King purchased the business on January 1, 2020, with Jeff staying on until April, 2023. King also owns West Michigan Burial Vault of Muskegon.
Here’s what 306 E. Main Street looked like in the 1930s:
And here’s what it looks like today:
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