Category Archives: Vintage Point
VINTAGE POINT: Owen House hotel
In the early 1900s, the Owen House hotel stood at the site of The Village Mall, at the southeast corner of Grand River and Farmington. Rates were $1.50/day with a special Sunday dinner for 25 cents. See the then-and-now slider … Continue reading
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Tagged bank, downtown Farmington, Farmington, Grand River, history, hotel, owen, Owen House, then and now, Vintage Point
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VINTAGE POINT: Farmington From Above
In 1930s Farmington, much of the area outside the immediate downtown–like the neighborhood between Grand River (at center) and Freedom–was still open land. See the then-and-now slider here. Historic photo from Brian Golden/Heritage & History Center. Contemporary image from Bing.com … Continue reading
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Tagged downtown Farmington, Farmington, Grand River, history, redevelopment, then and now, Vintage Point
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VINTAGE POINT: Old Town Hall
A hundred years ago, the Masonic Lodge (23715 Farmington Road) doubled as Farmington Township Hall. It also hosted talent shows, lectures, Eastern Star dances, political meetings, and basketball games—although some council members thought the games shouldn’t be allowed, as the … Continue reading
VINTAGE POINT: Farmington’s first newspaper
The Farmington Enterprise (a predecessor to the Farmington Observer) published its first edition on Nov. 2, 1888. This photo shows its office prior to 1926, when the building was razed and rebuilt on the same site (Farmington Road, just south … Continue reading
VINTAGE POINT: Farmington State Savings Bank
Farmington State Savings Bank (now the Village Mall) opened at Grand River and Farmington Road on March 18, 1922. The lobby was marble and walnut, and the vault door weighed more than 10,000 pounds. See the then-and-now slider here. Historic … Continue reading
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Tagged bank, downtown Farmington, Farmington, Grand River, historic preservation, history, then and now, Vintage Point
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VINTAGE POINT: Doc’s office/Los Tres Amigos
This house, now demolished, at the site of Los Tres Amigos (33200 Grand River) was once the offices of Drs. E.F. Holcomb, Joseph Norton, and Maynard Whitehead, per a note in the Farmington Community Library Heritage Room’s digital archives. See … Continue reading
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Tagged doctor, downtown Farmington, Farmington, Grand River, Holcomb, Los Tres Amigos, mexican, Norton, then and now, Vintage Point, Whitehead
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VINTAGE POINT: Peoples State Bank
The Peoples State Bank at 33312 Grand River (now Edward Jones Investments) opened in 1918 and closed during the Depression. For years, it served as Farmington’s city hall. “The clerk’s office is in the Farmington State Bank, the treasurer’s office … Continue reading
VINTAGE POINT: Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
An old shot looking west along Grand River shows the interurban tracks that once ran through downtown Farmington. NEW FEATURE: Have some fun with our interactive then-and-now slider at this link. Historic photo from the Farmington Community Library Heritage Room. Contemporary … Continue reading
VINTAGE POINT: Back to school
The original Farmington High School stood at the end of School Street, just off Grand River at the east side of downtown. It was built in 1888 and burned to the ground in 1918. The building at left in the … Continue reading
VINTAGE POINT: Grocery store grand opening
Two grocery store ribbon cuttings, 55 years apart, both at 23300 Farmington Road. Fresh Thyme opened last Tuesday. The A&P opened February 15, 1961. Note the colonial costumes in the old photo, a nod to the A&P’s ad announcing the … Continue reading
PRESERVATION FARMINGTON 