Main Street In the 1890s

When this photo was taken in 1893, "Lost in New York" was playing at Hill's Opera House at the southwest corner of Main and Ann streets. Down the block, Charles J. Shetterly, barber, offered billiards and hot and cold baths, and students and townspeople shopped at George Wahr's popular bookstore.

Other attractions on the block included the Palace Grocery, Singer Sewing Machines, two saloons, one confectioner and fruit dealer, two more billiard halls, a milliner, the Ann Arbor Argus newspaper office, and Francis Stofflet's magazine store. None of these buildings remains.

FOR OVER EIGHTY YEARS HILL'S OPERA HOUSE, LATER THE WHITNEY THEATRE, HOSTED TRAVELING SHOWS, DRAMAS, MUSICALS, VAUDEVILLE, DANCE, FILMS, AND LECTURES FOR THE TOWN AND THE UNIVERSITY. THE LARGE PUBLIC SECTION WAS LAVISHLY DECORATED WITH AN ITALIAN TILE FLOOR, RED BURLAP WALLS, THREE HANDSOME FRENCH CANDELABRA, RED CARPETS, AND RED LEATHER SEATS. IT CLOSED IN 1952.

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