The Stewart Library Building was completed in 1898. It is visible in most of these pictures helping to date them after that time. These pages are a work in progress. As we gather more information it will be added to the descriptions. If you know some of the history depicted please use the contact at the bottom to share your knowledge, ask questions, make suggestions or corrections.
Main Street looking west up to what is now the Nokomis Road.
Before the fire on July 4, 1904 that destroyed the buildings on the right of the street. The Ireland Brothers Brick Block and Grist Mill in on the right. These buildings burned on 1904.
Main Street looking east to the Exeter Road.
This was after the fire of 1911.
Fire House and Creamery
The building on the left with the cupola was the Fire House. The cupola was the hose tower. The next building to the right was the Whiting Creamery. The dam created the pond just north of the street. Water power from the dam was used to run the grist mill.
Main Street about 1909
On the right we can see the Corinna Hotel, originally owned by A. L. Grant and later by Percy Lander. (The building was formerly known as the Corinna House.) At this time it was owned by Fred Welch. Notice the ladders up to the building. It looks like debris on the porch roof and some furniture outside. Apparently there was a fire in the hotel.
A description in 1908 said, the establishment was “fitted throughout with all modern conveniences such as steam heat, electric lights, etc. and has a commodious office, sample and writing room, twenty comfortable rooms, and dining capacity is 25, and a special feature is the dining service, the menu comparing favorably with the leading hostelries of the State. A first-class livery is in connection, where stylish or durable teams may be had at reasonable rates.”
Herbert and Edna Lander Simpson ran the hotel for Edna’s uncle Percy.
The Ireland Brothers Grist Mill is to the right. The Odd Fellows Hall, the last structure to the right before the Stewart Library Building was finished on 1907. The Main Street fire of September 29, 1911 burned the hotel and the Ireland Brothers Grist Mill.
Ireland Brothers Grist Mill, Store, and Grain Elevator
The Ireland Brothers built this new grist mill after their older building, back on the other side of the stream, burned in the fire of July 4, 1904. This building was destroyed by fire on September 20, 1911.
The flag over the street proclaiming the Taft & Sherman presidential election of 1908 helps to date this photo.
The Corinna Hotel is seen beyond to the left, the smaller structure with two windows may be the railroad crossing tender depot or another commercial building. Further, at the end of the street is the hardware store owned by John Gray
Ireland Brothers Grist Mill, Store, and Grain Elevator
Another view of the grist mill. The fire of 1911 destroyed this building and the Corinna Hotel out of the shot to the right.
The shot for this post card, taken from the railroad station looking west, can be dated between the construction of the Odd Fellows Hall in 1907 (the large square building to the right of center), and the fire of 1911 which destroyed the grist mill on the left.
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