Upcoming planned changes to the built landscape of Nobles 1837 Plat of Brighton, which includes new construction on both sides of Grand River north of St. Paul Street, encourage a study of previous uses of lots 40-43 on the west side.
Citing the 1875 Plat map of Brighton Village, beginning with lot #43 (northwest corner of W. Grand River and St. Paul Street), one notes a structure and the name of H. (Henry) W. Pipp as owner. Pipp was a wagon maker and owned a hardware store. He was Village President in 1869-70.
By 1902, the Stuhrburg bothers were on that lot, perhaps in Pipps old house. (They were proprietors of the Eastern House, a block south.) As gasoline engines began to supplant horses, the house was replaced with a gasoline/service station. Various brands were sold throughout the years. By 1946, Earl Smith ran his Super Service Mobil Gas at 205 W. Grand River. A service station was on this site until the early 1970s, when Ann Arbor Trust Bank was built. Banking facilities have been on this site since then, most recently TCF Bank.
Lots 41 and 42, in 1875, are owned by Ransoms M. Fillmore and wife Viola. A structure is indicated on lot 42. In the 1950s, Mrs. Olive Rose was the proprietor of the Homestead Restaurant, formerly a house. In 1952, there was a fire in the upper floor. The Brighton Fire Department determined a defective neon sign might have been the cause. Mrs. Rose said it would be only two weeks before repairs would be completed and the business would resume. In 1953, Virginia Bamber Disspain bought the site and opened Virginias Beauty Shop on the first floor at 225. Virginia and husband, Tom, lived on the second floor. In ten years, the building was razed to be replaced with a brick structure (1963). Their living quarters were in the south portion, her beauty shop in the north Virginia was in business until shortly before she died in 2007. Tom preceded her in 1989.
Although not included in the recent development changes, it appears that 301 W. Grand River is on lot #40, including the area platted for Nelson Street as shown on the old plat map, but which was never constructed. At that time, C.F. Cushing, with a home indicated, is owner of the lot. Research provides evidence Cushing is the owner of a substantial number of lots in the Noble Plat. Roy Murrays Service Station was built on this site in the early 1940s. AA Muffler and Brakes does business there now.
All of these lots are bounded on the west by an alley between them and the Old Village Cemetery.
Proceeding north on Grand River, the grade gradually rises until Flint Street, then gradually slopes down to the bridge over Ore Creek. Much of the land of lots 40-43 was low and marshy. It is estimated four feet of fill provides todays grade for both the structures and the street.
Compiled by Marieanna Bair from the Societys Historic Resource Survey; Plat maps; Wm. Pless Supplement to the Old Village Cemetery records; interview with Larry Lawrence. Additions, corrections requested.