Big Rapids in Mecosta County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Fairman Building

Fairman Bulding Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 5, 2017

1. Fairman Bulding Marker

Inscription. Banker Ferdinand Fairman (1833-1902) built this structure in 1880-81. The upper floors housed offices, and the basement and first floor offered a variety of commercial businesses, including a combined tobacco store--billiard hall and Fairman's bank. The block was designed and built by Crocker and Hudnutt of Big Rapids. Fairman closed his bank in 1889, but opened a new one in 1896 after the financial Panic of 1893 left the city without a bank.

Erected 2009 by Michigan Historical Commission-Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2202.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 43° 41.894′ N, 85° 28.931′ W. Marker is in Big Rapids, Michigan, in Mecosta County. It is at the intersection of Maple Street and South Michigan Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Maple Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 South Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids MI 49307, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in West Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Downtown (here, next to this marker); Ferris State College (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Historic Downtown (within shouting distance of this marker); Nisbett Block (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Historic Downtown (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Historic Downtown (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Historic Downtown (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Historic Downtown (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Big Rapids.

Also see . . .
1. Fairman Building. Wikipedia article about Ferdinand Fairman and the Fairman Building. (Submitted on August 10, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

2. Fairman Building.

Fairman Bulding and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 5, 2017

2. Fairman Bulding and Marker

The Fairman Building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. An excerpt from the Nomination Form:

The Fairman Building, built in 1880, remains the largest commercial block in Big Rapids. It is a fine example of Victorian Italianate style construction, and, except for the ground level, has remained largely unchanged for more than one hundred years. Construction was financed and ownership belonged to Ferdinand Fairman, a New York State native, who moved to Big Rapids in 1873. Two years later, Fairman opened a private bank, Fairman & Potter. This partnership dissolved in 1879 and Fairman operated the bank on his own. He continued operating the bank, which was roused in this block, until the early 1890s when he willingly dissolved it, completely paying the depositors and creditors. In addition, Fairman was active in real estate as well as personally financing new industry (at the tine long term investment by barks was rare) in Big Rapids. As a result of the banking, real estate and investing, Fairman was responsible for much of the non-lumbering industrial sector of Big Rapids' economy, and it was this sector of
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the economy that lasted when the mills began closing in the 1890s. The building, therefore, has architectural significance in the community and is associated with a leading businessmen of the community as well as the efforts to establish an economy not solely dependent on lumbering.

(Submitted on July 18, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 520 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.