ORIGINAL PINE RIVER CHANNEL

The original Pine River Channel followed the bluff on the south side of the river and emptied into Lake Michigan several hundred feet south of the present piers. Traces of this remained for many years, as can be seen in the above picture.

FROM HORSE HARNESS TO HORSE POWER

In 1898 Benjamin Brown opened a small harness and luggage shop in a small building on the east side of Bridge Street, across from what is now the Masonic Building. Several years later he bought the lot just south of the Masonic property and built a cement block structure. Along with his regular line Mr. Brown repaired bicycles. It wasn't long before he obtained the agency for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This was the beginning of BROWN MOTORS, INC., which was to eventually extend from the Masonic Building to the See Building.

Pictured above is Mr. Brown on a motorcycle with his wife seated beside him in a side car.

Of the men on the motorcycles the only one identifiable is Dan McSauba, 5th from the left. Dan was an Indian Chief, the only Chief ever to carry the mail for Uncle Sam.

ICE CREAM PARLOR

The typical Ice Cream Parlor augmented sales by handling fresh fruit, candy, and popcorn. A bunch of bananas hung at the door.

Pictured above, Bert and Amy Beaudoin stand at the entrance of their Ice Cream Parlor, which was located on the east side of Bridge street, two doors north of the present Neff Building.

CUTTING ICE ON LAKE CHARLEVOIX NEAR THE INN DOCK