Germantown

Germantown still existed until the freeway system, the Gerald Ford Museum and the City's quest for parking destroyed what was  left. I had to walk through Germantown to move my car during my supper break while working nights at the  GR Police Dept at the corner of Michigan Street and Monroe Avenue. I remember Schantz and Vrana as well as the Germania Hall. All gone now except St. Mary's German Catholic Church. Mr. Vrana was a little man working on saddles with a little hammer.

^{1953 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map}

There was an attempt to save Schantz Hardware until a mysterious fire squelched that effort.

details 408-410 Bridge St NW

Total Plumbing: 2 toilets, 2 sinks
Concrete drive, tar and gravel roof, 26' hight, 2 story bldg,
Elevator - Cable - wood and steel, 10'x8' - 1 top capacity
Solid brick construction
Bsmt - full Area -9' high, concrete floor, brick foundation some stone
            steam boiler - Capitol - Central - 3x12x12 joinsts, steel I beams --- 12; beams
            10" steel posts - cylindrical   - used for storage

1st floor - Hardwood floor, metal ceiling - 12' high, wallboard walls, drop fixtures, wood sash - Retail Hardware

2nd floor - pine floor, open mill ceiling -11' high - unfinished walls
                 Steel I-beams - 10" high, facilities unused.
                 Upstairs used for storage minimum incandescent lighting. 2-30-51

421-423 Bridge St NW

1912 City Directory