824 Delta Avenue

824 Delta Avenue. . , This great building was built in 1909, but it wasn't the first structure to sit in this location. Richard Mason and Charles Scott built the first building in the city, and it was called the Minnewaska Hotel. It was located at the corner of 3rd. St. and Delta Ave. It was moved to this site in 1886 and burned down the same day as the McWilliams Opera House fire. , , This building was also commissioned by Charles Scott and the contractors were George LaRoche, Henry Cole and Don Parker. The lumber came from C.W. Davis Lumber Co. and the hardware came from Nels Gormsen. Mr. Scott sold Real Estate, was the city assessor and served as the second postmaster. Scott established a furniture store on the ground level and G.R. Empson, Attorney and F.W. Stellwagon, Dentist, had offices on the second floor. Mr. Scott was born July 1837 and passed away Sept. 1914. He was married to Jessie Porter, they lived at 802 Wisconsin Avenue. , , Henry Blackwell came to the city at the age of 13 with his father and uncle. The Blackwell's established a General Merchandise store in South Gladstone in the Blackwell Addition and the first carload of goods delivered by the Soo Line, came to the Blackwell's. Uncle Albert O. Blackwell served as a State Senator for one term. Henry later purchased this building and established Blackwell's Hardware. He operated the store for 40 years. Henry and his wife Ruby lived at 1105 Michigan Avenue, they never had children. He was a Mason, member of the Knights of Pythias and served on the City Club. Henry died at the age of 65 on Oct. 14th, 1939. This building has become known as the Masonic Building.