Chelsea in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Welfare Building
By Dave Wilcox, March 28, 2012
1. The Welfare Building Marker
The Welfare Building was constructed in 1906 as a recreation facility for the workers of the Glazier Stove Company. It featured a swimming pool, a billiard hall, a basketball court, a theatre and a reading room. Chelsea native Frank P. Glazier, who was Michigan state treasurer from 1904 to 1908, founded the stove company in 1891. Because Chelsea, a predominantly rural community, lacked skilled labor, most of the company's workers commuted weekly via a special train from Detroit. In 1907 Glazier declared bankruptcy. The building was sold to the Lewis Spring & Axle Company, which manufactured the short-lived Hollier Eight automobile. Since 1960 the building has housed the Chelsea Standard.Erected 1986 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S0524.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list.
Location. 42° 19.17′ N, 84° 1.18′
By Dave Wilcox, March 28, 2012
2. Welfare Building South view
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Chelsea / Chelsea Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); First Congregational Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oak Grove Cemetery Civil War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); North Lake Methodist Church (approx. 4.6 miles away); Frederick Pelham: Bridge Engineer (approx. 6.7 miles away); History of Mill Creek Dam (approx. 6.7 miles away); Alice Frances House•Library (approx. 6.9 miles away); Dexter Area Civil War Memorial (approx. 6.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chelsea.
Regarding The Welfare Building. According to an update received from Michelle Rogers, editor of the The Chelsea Standard, the newspaper has not been housed there since 1995.
By Dave Wilcox, March 28, 2012
3. Welfare Building Main Entrance
By Dave Wilcox, March 28
4. Glazier Stove Co.
By Dave Wilcox, March 28, 2012
5. Welfare Building Southeast view
By Dave Wilcox, March 28, 2012
6. Welfare Building East view
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. This page has been viewed 376 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 5, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
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