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Grand Rapids in 1856

Scene of early Grand Rapids viewed from the...


Experimental Light Tower

Experimental Light Tower

1880s

The three story William Haldane house is faced with brick, a few windows have shutters at the sides, a striped awning covers the entry as well as one window above it, and a bootmaker's sign hangs to the left of the entrance. The sidewalk at the left of the house appears to be of wooden planks. The fire bell can be seen in the wooden tower behind the house just above the roof. An addition was added to the fire alarm tower for experimental street lighting using arc lights.

Subjects

Full Details

TitleExperimental Light Tower
Date1880s
FormatPhotograph
Notes

Title by cataloger. William Haldane built the brick gothic cottage in 1850 at the southeast corner of Pearl and Ottawa. He was the city's the first cabinetmaker, and his shop, located on part of this lot in 1835, produced the first furniture made in Grand Rapids. It developed into the Nelson Matter Furniture Co. The house was torn down in 1890. The larger window under the central gable was the original front door. Sometime after 1865 the street was lowered and the one story front addition was added.

Location In PhotoGrand Rapids
CollectionColl. 18, Grand Rapids History & Special Collections, Archives
Rights

Reproduction and copyright information regarding this image is available from Grand Rapids History & Special Collections, Archives, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, MI

InstitutionGrand Rapids Public Library
Physical Storage LocationGrand Rapids


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