Historic Downtown

After arson burned the wooden Mason House hotel in 1879, the Fairman and Newton Block replaced it. Ferdinand Fairman put his banking business in the basement of the brick building, while the upper stories were reserved for a 61 room hotel. In 1899, Stillwell's Bazaar opened there, specializing in stationery and five-and-ten cent departments. One of many postcards of Big Rapids was sold at Stillwell's Bazaar. A historic drinking fountain installed in 1889 stood on the north side of the Fairman Building and remains in use during the summer months today.

Big Rapids, Michigan · United States