Duff Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Duff Building
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| Location | 118 W. Exchange St, Owosso, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| MPS | Owosso MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000168 |
| Added to NRHP | January 31, 1985 |
The Duff Building is a historic building in Owosso, Michigan. You can find it at 118 West Exchange Street. This building was built in 1890 and is special because of its Italianate architectural style. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, which means it's an important historical site.
Contents
Building History
Early Days with Charles Duff
The Duff family first came to Owosso in the 1840s. Charles C. Duff started a grocery store there. By the time of the American Civil War, his business and the town of Owosso were growing fast. Charles Duff paused his business to join the Union army during the war.
After the war ended, he came back to Owosso. He reopened his grocery store. By 1880, downtown Owosso was very busy, and Duff's grocery was doing great.
Building the Duff Building
In 1889, Charles Duff bought some empty land in downtown Owosso. He bought it from Manderville D. Grow. Grow was building another building, called the Grow Block, next door. Duff started building his new store right away.
The Duff Building was finished in 1890. Records show that a business called "Duff and Detwiler" used the building in the 1890s. It's not clear if Duff's partner, W.J. Detwiler, helped build it.
New Owners and Uses
Around 1912, Charles Duff moved his store to a different spot. He sold the Exchange Street building to Willis E. Hall and George W. Detwiler. Later, Detwiler became the only owner.
Over the next 20 years, many different businesses used the building. These included the Detwiler grocery, a jewelry store, an eye doctor's office, and a funeral home. There were also two meat markets.
In 1932, the Duff Building was rented to Montgomery Wards. This was a very popular department store. Montgomery Wards bought the building in 1939.
Montgomery Wards and Later Life
To make enough space for the large Montgomery Wards store, the Duff Building was joined with the Grow Block and another building. This made one big store. Montgomery Wards stayed in the building until the early 1980s. The building was fixed up and improved in 1983.
What the Duff Building Looks Like
The Duff Building is a three-story building. It is made of red brick. It is about 22 feet wide and 85 feet long.
The front of the building has an Italianate style. This style often includes fancy details. The ground floor has a storefront with a doorway that is set back a bit. The windows are wide with special panels below them. Brick columns stand on the sides.
On the second floor, there are two pairs of windows. These windows have two panes of glass, one above the other. They are set in brick arches that curve outwards. The third floor has four windows placed evenly across the front. These windows also have two panes of glass, one above the other.
