Houghton Elevator facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mauk & Hammer/Houghton Elevator
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| Location | 315 W. Vienna St., Clio, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| MPS | Genesee County MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 82000521 |
| Added to NRHP | November 26, 1982 |
The Houghton Elevator was a large building in Clio, Michigan, used for storing and moving grain. It was located at 315 West Vienna Street. This important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Today, the original elevator buildings are gone, and a business called Dotty's Feed and Pet Supply is at that spot.
Contents
History of the Houghton Elevator
Building the First Elevator
In 1861, the Pere Marquette Railroad built train tracks through Clio. A man named Putnam Mauk saw a great chance to move farm products. He built a grain elevator right next to the new railway. This made it easy to transport crops from the farms nearby.
Later, Mr. Mauk worked with a partner, Mr. Hammer. Together, they helped local farmers get their goods to market.
Changes Over the Years
In 1880, Fred Mark bought the elevator. He made it much bigger to hold more grain. Around 1900, a long-time worker named F. M. Houghton bought the elevator. He expanded it even more. The elevator could then hold 40,000 bushels of grain.
F. M. Houghton owned the elevator until he passed away in 1948. His son, Richard Houghton, then took over the business. Richard ran the elevator until he retired in 1981. After he sold it, the elevator was used as a store.
What the Elevator Handled
For many years, the Houghton family's elevator handled more than just grain. They also moved large amounts of fresh produce. Local building materials, like bricks, mortar, and cement, were also loaded onto freight cars there. The elevator was a busy hub for the community's goods.
What the Houghton Elevator Looked Like
The Houghton Elevator was made of wood. It had several rectangular parts joined together in a line. Some sections had pointed roofs, called gable roofs. Other parts had gambrel roofs, which have two slopes on each side.
Many parts of the building were covered with special shingles. Other sections had wavy metal sheets, called corrugated metal. On one side of the elevator, there was an open area with a roof. This was where deliveries were made.
