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In this week’s letter, I will highlight one of the oldest businesses in Michigan (Northville Lumber) which has just expanded its operations and built a new facility in the community. The Yerkes Family (of whom present owner Stewart Oldford Jr. is a descendent) bought the milling operation after Captain Dunlap renovated it in the 1800’s.
I congratulate Mr. Oldford and his entire Team for almost 200 years of operation. Both the Community and Northville Lumber will celebrate their Bicentennials in 2027. Today, I will look at some of the high points of Northville Lumber and touch on other businesses which have been in operation for over a half a century.
Before we look at Some of our historic businesses, let’s see what’s going on today!
- A Ride Through Northville with Ellen Elliot & Hugh Jordan – 3/26, 7pm @ Mill Race Village. Hear the story behind the 3-year project that produced the newest coffee table book that captures Northville from the 1950s through the 1980s. Link
- Northville’s Ford Field Playground for the Future Initiative - Contribute to a state matching grant which ends 4/22 from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (Link), as featured in The Northville Record (Link) and on WWJ 950.
- Maple Syrup Tours at Maybury Farm – Weekends, till 3/30 Link
- Michigan Central Station Preservation Presentation (AAUW) – 4/8, 6:45pm @ First United Methodist Church, 777 Eight Mile. RSVP to: [email protected]
- State of the Community Luncheon – 4/11, 11:30am – Hosted by the Northville Chamber of Commerce @ Schoolcraft College Link
INFO FOR CITIZENS …
Projects Around Town
- Ford Field – Phase I (Winter): Stop by and see the progress on the Randolph Drain waterfall area in the Serinity Point area of the park which is nearing completion. Phase II (Spring) Vista overlook, fencing, staircase, ADA entrance, & play structure.
- Riverwalk – Riverbed work progressing, readying to daylight the underground river by early summer at the River Street section of the pathway system.
- Downs Initiative – Town Homes are in various stages of construction; apartment underground parking being readied and house construction begins this summer.
- Grants that Support Northville’s Community Initiatives – Link
NEW TASK FORCE MEETINGS
- Cemeterian Task Force – Next Meeting 4/09 @ City Hall 7pm; Stop by Oakwood Cemetery (Cady St.) to see progress - for info contact Dave @ [email protected]
- Bicentennial Task Force – 4/29 @ City Hall 7:30pm. All welcome to join work teams as we ready for our 2027 year-long event – info write [email protected]
Let’s look back on past Businesses that are part of our DNA …
Some Northville Historic businesses operating continuously for more than 50 years:
1827 – Northville Lumber leads the pack and was originally established as a flour mill by John Miller and Israel Nash who split a granite boulder and created the milling operation.
Records on file in Oakland County validate Northville Lumber as the oldest business in the County. Stewart Oldfield Jr. (current proprietor) is a descendent of the Yerkes family, who owned the 320 acres on Baseline Road, named “Oakland Place Farm,” where the original, gothic cottage-themed farmhouse built in 1869 (on the National Register of Historic Places) still stands next to the former Northville Lumber location.
In the Mill Race Village there is another Yerkes home (the Mayor’s abode). And did you know that back in 1916 the Yerkes brothers were instrumental in establishing Meadowbrook Country Club? The family at one time also owned a mansion on 8 Mile and Griswold (which today is the Living & Learning Enrichment Center).
Other Historic businesses
1850’s – Northville streets in the 1800’s were paved with leather scraps from the multiple shoe stores on Main Street. Cobbler’s Corner is the last remaining survivor of this era.
1869 – The Northville Record. Samuel Little established The Northville Record in 1869 (oldest running weekly in the State), and it was originally called The Wayne County Record. Little was instrumental in building the famous 800-seat Northville Opera House in the 1870’s.
1873 – Parmenter’s Northville Cider Mill has been operating in Northville since Civil War veteran Benijah Parmenter used his discharge payment to start a mill in his hometown. In its earliest days, the cider mill was powered by a team of horses walking in a circle.
1887 – Wagon Wheel Lounge located on Main Street started as Kohler’s grocery store, then the Northville Hotel & Restaurant. Today, “The Wheel” is operated by Charlie Ronk and has a dedicated customer following.
1899 – Northville Downs, initially a sports park with a 9-hole golf course, was the location for the County Fair (which then was larger than the State Fair). In 1944, the Carlo’s bought and renovated it, hosting the first nighttime harness races in Michigan. Today, the current development on the Northville Downs acreage is taking shape and will have parks, uncovered rivers, diverse housing options, a trail system and a historic log cabin.
1900 – The Exchange Bar & Grill has been in operation at the corner of Main and Hutton for 125 years with various owners and names including Pooles. Grant Baidas is the owner today.
1910 – The Lapham Family owned Ponsford’s on Main Street (Men’s merchandise), then Charles (NHS Grad) took over and renamed it “Lapham’s Men’s Shop” and his wife (Maxine) ran the tailoring department. Today, the Lapham Family still owns many buildings in town including the Marquis Theatre.
1914 – Northville Laboratories (Jogue, Inc. today) was founded by the Langfields and run by son Conrad (past President/Mayor of Northville). The Langfield’s historically sponsored Bands/Music in town and at NHS through endowments. The company’s claim to fame was bringing the first vanilla beans to this country to create an extract.
1927 – C. Harold Bloom Insurance was started by Charles Harold Bloom (NHS Grad) who served as Treasurer of the Village from 1928 to the early ‘40s. Today, the Agency on Main Street is still being run by Bloom family members.
1931 – Genitti’s (EMB Food Market previously) was purchased in 1971 by John & Toni Genitti. With time, Genitti’s went from being a meat counter and grocery store to a full-fledged restaurant. Laura Genitti and family members have brought more people through Northville than almost any other business, with their catering, theater and social events.
1933 – Good Time Party Store was started in 1933 and sold in 1970 to Jim Roth, who has grown it into the outstanding business it is today, adding Custard Time in 1976.
1934 – Allen Monuments (Inch Memorials) was founded by former Mayor Mike Allen. His son Jim, grandson Scott, along with other family members have been involved in the business. Allen designed, manufactured and erected some of the finest memorials in the Midwest.
1937 – Casterline Funeral Home has been family-owned for 4 generations. The business is actively involved in the community (Chamber, Rotary, Allen Terrace and the VFW auxiliary).
1939 – Rebecca’s (Center St.) occupies the space that was once home to Cloverdale Farms Dairy sales and others early on. Famous customers frequented this place, including Henry Ford with some of his Vagabonds group (Edison, Firestone & Burroughs).
1949 – The Long Companies (Long Mechanical, Long Plumbing, and Long Mechanical Service) were founded by Glenn and Lois Long (Glenn C. Long Plumbing & Heating). Their business offices and services have expanded throughout the years. Jim Long (son) was CEO before Allison (third generation) became president of the company.
1967 – Choo Choo Car Wash was established in 1967 by Don Thomson and is now being managed by Don’s sons.
My grandfathers (Electrician & Barber), with storefronts in town for the majority of the last century, always remarked that without a strong business sector we can’t have a sustainable community. We must know our past and embrace the present to plan our future … thanks to these strong local businesses highlighted today and others, the future looks bright.
Keep that Northville Community Faith!
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