Bellaire in Antrim County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Aunt Jane Building

Photographed by Michael Fischer, September 21, 2025

1. Aunt Jane Building Marker

Inscription.

This building began life in 1881 as a print shop and offices for Bellaire's first newspaper, The Bellaire Breeze, run by Albert S. Abbott. It's the oldest standing building in the Bridge Street business area. Alice Jane White was born in Ionia County in 1860; got her education; taught high school in Ionia and Kent Counties for eleven years; then came to Bellaire in 1892. She bought the print shop in 1893 and began her store, The Bazaar. Aunt Jane ran The Bazaar for almost 42 years and was known for keeping her prices low, even for the "summer folk". In the 1930s, Miss White gave 10 feet of her property to the village for the building of the Community Hall next door.. She never saw the finished Hall as she died in 1934. Operated over the years by Ethel Batchelder, Clara Wilson Zook, Paul and Iola Mosier and Samuel and Millie Adams, it was a favorite stop for kids looking for comics and penny candy for another three decades.

[Historical advertisement]

For more of the history of Bellaire, visit the Bellaire Area Historical Museum: 202 N. Bridge Street

Erected by Bellaire Area Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location.

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44° 58.607′ N, 85° 12.584′ W. Marker is in Bellaire, Michigan, in Antrim County. It is at the intersection of Bridge Street and Broad Street, on the right when traveling north on Bridge Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 North Bridge Street, Bellaire MI 49615, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula

and in the Grand Traverse Bay Region.

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: Bellaire Community Center (here, next to this marker); World War II Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The Jail and Sheriff's Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); Hardware Corner (within shouting distance of this marker); Maltby Livery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bellaire – The Antrim County Seat (about 600 feet away); Pump House No. 1 (approx. ¼ mile away); Nixon House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellaire.

Aunt Jane Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Fischer, September 21, 2025

2. Aunt Jane Building and Marker

Aunt Jane Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Fischer, September 21, 2025

3. Aunt Jane Building

Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 49 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 23, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.