Horton Bay General Store facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Horton Bay General Store
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 05115 Boyne City Rd., Bay Township, Horton Bay, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1877 |
| Built by | William Ohle |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001411 |
| Added to NRHP | September 23, 1991 |
The Horton Bay General Store is a super old and interesting building located in Horton Bay, Michigan. It's so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. This means it's an important part of history!
What makes it even cooler is that famous writer Ernest Hemingway mentioned the store in two of his short stories: "Up in Michigan" and "The Last Good Country." Imagine a place that inspired a famous author!
Contents
The Store's Story: A Glimpse into History
The Horton Bay General Store has a long and exciting past, dating back to the late 1800s. It played a big role in the early days of Horton Bay.
How Horton Bay Began
Back in 1870, a man named Samuel Horton started a home in this area. A few years later, in 1876, Alonzo J. Stroud and William H. Ohle opened a sawmill nearby. This sawmill became very busy, employing up to 30 workers!
With so many people moving to the area for work, Horton Bay quickly grew into a small town. Soon, everyone realized they needed a general store and other services.
Building the General Store
William H. Ohle, one of the sawmill owners, decided to focus on building things in the new community. People say that Ohle was in charge of building the Horton Bay General Store. He also helped build many other early buildings in the town, like the boardinghouse next door, which is now the Red Fox Inn. The General Store was probably built in 1877 or 1878.
What Was Inside?
When it was first built, the store was like a typical general store from the late 1800s. The entire first floor was filled with all sorts of things: groceries, tools, clothes, and many other products people needed. The second floor was where the store owner lived. In 1879, the first post office for Horton Bay was even located right inside the store!
A Store That Lasted: Owners Through the Years
The Horton Bay General Store has been open almost continuously since it was built. Alonzo Stroud owned it from 1890 to 1894. He then sold it to his clerk, Conrad Schneider, who ran it for over ten years. In 1904, Merton Fox took over.
During the Great Depression, Ben and Margaret Belnap owned the store. Later, in 1972, Harriet Housel and her parents, George and Betty, became the owners. Most recently, Claudia and Chip Lorenger bought the store in the early 2000s, and they still own it today!
What the Store Looks Like
The Horton Bay General Store is a two-story building that looks like something from an old movie. It's made of wood and has a classic "Late Victorian" style.
Outside the Store
The outside of the building is covered in wooden siding called "clapboard." It has a special front that looks taller than the roof behind it, with a triangle shape at the top. The front of the store has a door in the middle, set back a little, with big display windows on either side. It really looks like a store from a long time ago!
Inside the Store
When you step inside the first floor, you can still see many of the original parts of the store. The ceiling is made of old wooden boards, and the floor is original too. Some of the old shelves are still there, along with one of the original sales counters. You might even spot some old carbide and kerosene lamps still in their places! The second floor, where the owners used to live, has been updated over the years.
