Old West Side in Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Hardware

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, September 3, 2021

1. Hardware Marker

Inscription. As Ann Arbor grew, stores that once offered a variety of general merchandise began to specialize in groceries, dry goods, or hardware. In 1878 Christian Eberbach took over Widenmann and Schuh’s store and turned it into the largest of downtown’s many hardware businesses. He sold supplies to carpenters, painters, plasterers, and plumbers. On Saturdays farmers loaded their wagons with cowbells, pitchforks, axes, and machinery parts. Hardware stores also installed and repaired furnaces, roofs, gutters, and even locks. Eberbach’s clerk, John Fischer, took over the business in 1892. As Fischer Hardware, the store moved to Washington Street and Fifth Avenue in 1937 where it lasted into the 1970s. Downtown’s last hardware store was Schlenker’s on West Liberty. It specialized in tinware and provided contractors and loyal customers with hard-to-find items. After more than a century in business, it closed in 1999.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 42° 16.834′ N, 83° 44.924′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in the Old West Side. Marker is at the intersection of West Washington Street and South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on West Washington Street.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 126 S Main St, 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. Dry Goods (here, next to this marker); Eating and Drinking in Ann Arbor (here, next to this marker); Business and Banking (within shouting distance of this marker); First National Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Germans In Ann Arbor (within shouting distance of this marker); The Staeblers and the Germania/American Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Germans on Ashley Street (about 300 feet away); Three Generations of Metzgers on Washington Street (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ann Arbor.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, September 3, 2021

2. Hardware Marker

It is the marker on the far right

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, September 3, 2021

3. Hardware Marker

Eberback Hardware, Northeast Corner, Main and Washington, CA. 1893
Inset photo (top left) caption: In 1872 William Herz build 112 West Washington Street on the alley to your left for his popular painting and decorating business.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, September 3, 2021

4. Hardware Marker

Inset photo (lower left) caption: When August Hutzel opened his store at 114 South Main Street in 1857, he sold groceries along with glass and painting supplies. As the city's gas and water works expanded, many hardware businesses added plumbing and heating equipment. In the 1880s Hutzel laid miles of cast iron pipes for the city's first water system. August's son Titus, trained as a plumber, sold and installed indoor plumbing, including flush toilets and claw-foot bathtubs.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 14, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.