Quick Facts

NPS Description

106 Court Street, ca. 1910s. 

Non-contributing (built within the period of significance but subsequent alterations have sufficiently impacted integrity to render it non-contributing) 

Description

Two story brick retail/mixed use building with a frontage of 24 feet on Court Street. The second story is of red brick with edge piers, an applied shingled gable front, with iron balcony, on the north end and applied stone chimney, and a vinyl double-hung replacement window flanked by thin blue shutters. The storefront has a recessed entry outlined in EIFS with a stone pass through window and wood columns. A shed roof awning extends over the recessed entry and connects with the applied gable front. A projecting awning is also centered over the entry door to the north. No other elevation is visible due to adjoining buildings. 

History 

This building was constructed between 1910 and 1924, according to Sanborn maps, and was a laundry under the names of Mt. Pleasant Laundry, Central Michigan Linen Supply, and Nu-Way Cleaners until 1953. It then became a bar under several names, including the Bennet Bar in 1958-71 and Sir Richard’s Pub in 1972-1992. It is currently the Blue Gator. 

Integrity Analysis 

The original appearance of the building is undetermined, although one photograph from the early 1950s shows a small slice of the building with the Nu-Way Cleaners sign. It appeared to be a dark brick building with a raised rectangular brick outline in the upper part of the façade and a center entry with two windows to either side. This has been obscured by the newer applied façade. 

Sources 

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (Mt. Pleasant: 1884, 1890, 1895, 1900, 1910, 1924, 1931, 1950); Mt. Pleasant City Directories, 1925-1998; Past and Present of Isabella County, 1911; City of Mt. Pleasant Building Permits; historic photographs.