Title by cataloger. The photo is dated by the straightening of Monroe St. at the entrance to Canal St., which was done in 1873. (a photo at the right in Related Items shows the area before the intersection was straightened.) The Spring and Avery Building was constructed immediately after the former buildings were demolished. You can identify the area by the new boardwalk on the right that is lighter in color. The site occupied by the two buildings in the upper center left later became the site of the Grand Rapids National City Bank, and later by the McKay Tower.
From a collection of photographs depicting early Grand Rapids, previously owned by Charles E. Belknap, author of "The Yesterdays of Grand Rapids" and longtime resident of the city.