Kerrytown in Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Shopping on East Huron Street
Advertising signs and cards display the wide variety of goods offered in the 1870s by the businesses pictured above. The plank sidewalk, gas lanterns, and dirt road have long since been replaced by concrete, bright lights, and blacktop. All the buildings east to Fourth Ave., including the imposing Cook House Hotel, are gone.
But in the block beyond, some remain behind facades that reflect changing needs and styles over time. The brick building on the corner of East Huron St. and South Fourth Ave. where Caspar Rinsey sold groceries has long been hidden behind painted aluminum siding.
Top image caption:
6 — Looking east along East Huron St., ca. 1875
Top lower right inset image caption:
Rinsey's Grocery at corner of East Huron St. & South Fourth Ave., ca. 1880
Lower image caption:
Since its construction in 1858, the brick building in the photo at left [sic] has served as Jacob Haller's jewelry store, the city bakery, the Washtenaw Post Tribune newspaper office, and Kleinschmidt Insurance. It still stands today behind the distinctive Art Deco facade of 206 East Huron St.
Sponsored by Kleinschmidt Insurance
Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library
Erected by Ann Arbor Historical Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location. 42° 16.936′ N, 83° 44.897′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in Kerrytown. Marker is at the intersection of East Ann Street and North Main Street, on the right when traveling east on East Ann Street. Marker is on the northwest corner of the Washtenaw County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 East Huron Street, Ann Arbor MI 48104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Main Street in the 1890s (here, next to this marker); The Streets Around Courthouse Square (here, next to this marker); Commerce on the "Ann Street Block" (here, next to this marker); A Former Bank and Estate on Ann Street (here, next to this marker); A Meeting Place for Ann Arbor's Black Community (here, next to this marker); The Changing Face of North Fourth Avenue (here, next to this marker); A Corner Landmark on Huron and North Fourth (here, next to this marker); Centers for Communications on Courthouse Square (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ann Arbor.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.