Goodyear Block facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Goodyear Block
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Goodyear Block
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 138 E. Main St., Manchester, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built by | Chauncey Walbridge |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000770 |
| Added to NRHP | August 5, 1993 |
The Goodyear Block, also known as the Arbeiter Block, is a historic building in Manchester, Michigan. You can find it at 138 E. Main Street. This important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. This means it's recognized as a special place worth preserving!
A Look Back: The Goodyear Block's Story
The Goodyear Block was built way back in 1867. A builder named Chauncey Walbridge constructed it for Henry Goodyear. The first floor had two shops. One was a hardware store, and the other sold dry goods.
The second floor was used for offices. Many different businesses rented space there. This included the Manchester Enterprise newspaper. The third floor had a large hall or "auditorium." This hall was a busy place! People used it for dances, plays, and concerts. It was a big social spot for the whole area.
Sadly, Henry Goodyear faced tough times. He lost control of his building and moved away. In 1894, a German club called the Arbeiter Society bought the building. They owned it for 50 years. During the 1930s, the hall was even used as a classroom.
Later, the American Legion used the building. Eventually, it was left empty for a while. But in 1977, it found a new purpose. The Black Sheep Repertory Theater made it their home. The building got a big makeover in 1990. The top floors were even turned into apartments.
What Does the Goodyear Block Look Like?
The Goodyear Block is a three-story building. It's made of red brick and sits on a strong stone foundation. Its style is called Italianate architecture. This means it has certain design features popular in the mid-1800s.
The front of the building is seven sections wide. The middle section has a staircase leading to the upper floors. On either side, there are two sets of three sections. These sections hold the storefronts.
The first floor has large display windows. These windows are framed by cool cast-iron columns. The way the first floor looks now is from the 1990 restoration. But it looks very similar to how it was originally built. The front also has rounded windows with special caps called "keystones." A wooden trim piece sits at the very top of the building.
Inside, the first floor is still used for shops. The second floor has offices. And the third floor is still home to that large auditorium.
