View of Quinnesec's business district

Quinnesec Avenue, Looking North, Quinnesec, Breitung Township, Dickinson County, Michigan, ca. 1903: This view of Quinnesec’s business district was taken in about 1903. The photographer was standing at Pine Street looking north on Quinnesec Avenue. Buell’s Opera House, the two-story brick building at the left, was located at the northeast corner of Quinnesec Avenue and Paint Street (now U.S. 2). All of the buildings south of Paint Street burned in the fire of May 18, 1906, with losses in excess of $75,000 suffered throughout the village. Buildings pictured above which burned in the fire located on the west side (left) of Quinnesec Avenue were Thomas McKenna’s saloon, James Malone’s saloon, John Marsch’s livery stable, Mrs. P. Smith’s home, Mrs. Patrick McKenna’s store and saloon, a store belonging to the estate of Mrs. John McKenna, Charles Paquette’s barbershop and J.H. McKenna’s store. On the east side (right) of Quinnesec Avenue were two stores owned by Mrs. John St. Denis, John Crane’s vacant saloon, Matt Bryngelson’s vacant saloons (two buildings on one lot), the Wright Brothers’ vacant store and two vacant lots at the corner. The first sign at the right reads Miss L. (Luella) St. Denis & Co. Luella St. Denis was the postmistress and ran a small stationery and confectionery store in conjunction. The second sign identifies The Club which must have been a saloon in John Crane’s building. Note the hitching posts in front of the buildings and the board sidewalks. [John Alquist/Breitung Township]