Anson Brown Building facts for kids
The Anson Brown Building is a very old and important building in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was built way back in 1832. This makes it the oldest business building still standing in the city today! You can find it at 1001 Broadway Street, right where Swift and Broadway streets meet. It is also next to the Edward L. Fuller building.
Contents
The Anson Brown Building: A Historic Landmark
A Look Back in Time
The Anson Brown Building was built by a developer named Anson Brown. He built it in 1832 to be a general store. Imagine buying everything from food to tools in one place!
The building's design was influenced by Dutch architecture. This means it has special features like "parapet" end walls. These are decorative walls that stick up above the roofline.
Who Owned This Historic Spot?
The Colvin family owned this building for over 60 years. That's a very long time! In 1989, a new owner bought the building from the Colvin family.
What's Inside Today?
Since 1968, the Anson Brown Building has been home to the St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store. This store sells used items at low prices.
Special Historical Markers
You can find two special historical markers on the front of the building.
- One marker remembers the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom.
- The other marker honors Dr. Daniel B. Kellog. He was known as the "clairvoyant physician." This means some people believed he had special abilities to see things beyond normal sight.
Gallery
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WPA architectural drawing from the 1930s.
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Historic American Buildings Survey photo from the 1930s.
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A recent photo of the building from 2010.
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The historical markers on the building.
