Union Block (Buchanan, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Union Block
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 114 E. Front St., Buchanan, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1862 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000746 |
| Added to NRHP | August 22, 2007 |
The Union Block, also known as Kinyon's Block, Roe's Block, or Pear's Block, is an old commercial building. You can find it at 114 East Front Street in Buchanan, Michigan. This important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 because of its history.
History of the Union Block Building
Buchanan became a busy town for business in the 1840s. Its main shopping area grew quickly in the 1850s. In 1848, two business partners, Lorenzo Alexander and John Ross, built a two-story stone building for their businesses in Buchanan. By 1850, they had opened a general store there.
By 1860, these partners had built another large brick building, the Excelsior Block. It was located in downtown Buchanan, close to where the Union Block stands today. In 1862, Ross and Alexander started building the Union Block. However, that same year, a big fire swept through the area. It destroyed many commercial buildings, including the Excelsior Block. Luckily, the Union Block was only partly built and was saved from the fire. The building was finished the next year.
The first floor of the Union Block was used for shops. The second floor was for professionals like doctors and lawyers. Early shops included dry goods stores, which sold things like fabric and clothing. Over the years, other businesses sold groceries, hardware, and more. One part of the building was a hardware store for almost 100 years, from 1896 to 1994.
The second floor had offices for doctors, barbers, and lawyers. However, the last professional left in the 1940s. The third floor was originally a very large open room. Later, it was divided into two spaces. These spaces were used for public events like dances, parties, shows, and even church services.
What the Union Block Looks Like
The Union Block is a three-story building made of brick. It is built in the Italianate style, which was popular for buildings in the 1800s. It has two storefronts on the ground floor. The building is about 58 feet long and 56 feet wide. Its roof slopes gently from the front to the back.
The front of the building still has its original arched windows on the upper floors. A decorative ledge, called a cornice, is at the very top. The front is split into two shop areas. One is wider with three window sections, and the other has four. They are separated by a part that sticks out a little. This part used to have an open entrance leading to stairs for the upper floors. In the 1950s, the storefronts were updated. The open entryway was changed into a display window, and the two shops were combined into one with a single main entrance.
Inside, the building originally had two separate stores with a wall and stairs between them. Now, the stores have been joined into one large space. The wall has been removed, and the stairs were moved to the back. The second floor used to have many small offices. These rooms have been changed over time. The third floor was once one big open room. Now, a wall in the middle divides it into two parts. Each part has a large open space at the front and smaller rooms at the back.
Images for kids
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A closer look at the front of the Union Block.
