BRASS ANCHOR BUILDING (1872).
The Brass Anchor Building was originally originally built in 1872 as offices for the Pentwater Lumber Company. After about 5 years it became the Pentwater Newspaper offices which it was for 6 or 7 decades. Designed in the historic revival Italianate commercial style, the building has an exterior of creme bricks from the local Middlesex Brick and Tile Company described as three bricks thick over huge timber framing with elaborate roof brackets, distinctive window trim with keystones and large retail style plate glass windows on the first story. The Pentwater News building housing the local newspaper established in 1861. An article in the Grand Rapids Press 9-19-1941 described the newspaper as “one of the oldest and leading newspapers in West Michigan” with the editor being Mrs. Esther Hodges Dempsey.
Designed in 1872 in historic revival Italianate commercial style, the building has an exterior of creme bricks from the local Middlesex Brick and Tile Company. According to the book Historic Pentwater Home Tours published by the Pentwater Historical Society, the exterior was constructed “three bricks thick over huge timber framing. Other fine exterior features include elaborate roof brackets, distinctive window trim with keystones and large retail style plate glass windows on the first story. A brick walkway leads to a pretty green space.
While owned by the Pentwater News, the building appears to also have been used for community events. According to the Ludington Dailey News 12-14-1948, St. James Episcopal Church Guild held a bazaar in the building in December of 1948.
The Brass Anchor Building later housed other businesses. From 1890-1946, the second floor was home to the Oddfellows but was converted to apartments in 1960s. In this building there was a recreation and pool hall, a barber shop, a candle shop, and a storage area.
Special thanks to Tracy Kolinger for the building origin information. This lovely building is currently undergoing restoration in 2022.huge old stainless mixing book.