Rogers City in Presque Isle County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Frederick Denny Larke General Store

Historic Site No. 5

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

1. Frederick Denny Larke General Store Marker

Inscription.
This building was constructed in 1878 for Frederick Denny Larke and his wife Augusta. Larke was one of the founders of Rogers City, and an unparalleled advocate of community development. Originally a general store, it was converted to a drug store after the Larke's son Roland graduated from pharmacy school. A soda fountain was also located in the front of the building. The photo shows the building in 1911.

Frederick Denny Larke was also the founder of the Presque Isle County Advance which was published on the second floor of this building in the 1880's. The village's first telephone company, another Larke enterprise, was also operated from an office on the second floor.

In the 1940's and 50's, Dr. Leland Kile had his dental practice on the second floor. Grulke Hardware moved into the building in 1973.

The Presque Isle County Historical Museum provided sign text and images. A Vibrant Small Cities Initiative (VSCI) grant from MSHDA and the City of Rogers City funded this project. The City Council and Community Development Authority jointly obtained the VSCI grant. The Design Committee developed the concept. Sign design and engineering by Harry Wierenga of Fleis and VandenBrink Engineering. Valley City Sign manufactured the signs in 2010. The Department of Public Works installed the signs in

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2011.

Erected 2011 by City of Rogers City & Vibrant Small Cities Initiative (VSCI) grant from MSHDA. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 45° 25.279′ N, 83° 49.079′ W. Marker is in Rogers City, Michigan, in Presque Isle County. Marker is at the intersection of North 3rd Street (Alternate U.S. 23) and West Huron Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North 3rd Street. Marker is mounted on a post near the northeast corner of the subject building, facing 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 297 North 3rd Street, Rogers City MI 49779, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Presque Isle County Bank (a few steps from this marker); Site of Frederick Denny Larke Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Erskine Building / Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Presque Isle County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Herman Hoeft & Son's General Store (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Presque Isle County Savings Bank (about 500 feet

Marker detail: 1911 photo of Frederick Denny Larke Drug Store & Post Office image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: 1911 photo of Frederick Denny Larke Drug Store & Post Office

away); Rogers City Post Office (about 600 feet away); Emergency Steering Wheel (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rogers City.

More about this marker. Marker is painted metal plaque, mounted waist-high on a post

Regarding Frederick Denny Larke General Store. Building currently houses the Grulke Hardware Store.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Rogers City Historic Walking Tour

Also see . . . Hon. Frederick Denny Larke. Men of Progress: Embracing Biographical Sketches of Representative Michigan Men at Google Books:
Mr. Larke deserves to be placed as the founder and organizer of the county of Presque Isle. He was engaged to locate land for the Molitor-Rogers Company in Presque Isle county, and it was while in their employ that he selected the site and laid out the village of Rogers City. He was county clerk for 14 years, and supervisor for eight years. He ran a hardwood lumber business, real estate, a drug and general store, and built the telephone line between Alpena and Rogers City. (Submitted on September 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Frederick Denny Larke General Store Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

3. Frederick Denny Larke General Store Marker (tall view)

Grulke Hardware Store (<i>front view from 3rd Street; marker near right corner of building</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

4. Grulke Hardware Store (front view from 3rd Street; marker near right corner of building)

Grulke Hardware Store (<i>side view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

5. Grulke Hardware Store (side view)

Frederick Denny Larke image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

6. Frederick Denny Larke

Grulke Hardware Store (<i>corner view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

7. Grulke Hardware Store (corner view)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 225 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5, 6. submitted on September 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7. submitted on September 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.