Poppleton Building
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Poppleton Building, east elevation, 2020

Poppleton Building, east elevation, cornice detail, 2020

Poppleton Building, east and north elevations, 2020

Poppleton Building, south and east elevations, 2020

Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
This two-story, brick business block was built in 1874 by Oakland County native Edgar Crooks Poppleton and his brother, Herbert Abbey Poppleton. The Poppletons were prominent businessmen in Birmingham, Michigan, but decided to branch out at Evart, which had just been platted in 1871 and was already booming because of the lumbering industry. The Pontiac Weekly Gazette took note of the Poppletons' activity and reported in its issue of December 4, 1874: "Poppleton Bros., formerly of Birmingham, have erected a fine brick store at Evart, and are filling it with goods."
Edgar C. Poppleton did not make Evart his permanent home, but visited at regular intervals to check on his property. The Evart Review noted in March 1882: "E.C. Poppleton of Birmingham is in town today. He is fixing up his store." Poppleton also operated a real estate business in Birmingham until about 1910. His brother, Herbert Abbey Poppleton, was associated with him in both his Evart and Birmingham businesses.
The A.C. Laird dry goods store occupied the Poppleton building until 1881. Laird was succeeded in 1883 by another dry goods firm, Howard & Davy. The Review noted in November 1883: "Messrs. Howard & Davy, dry goods merchants, have leased the nicely located and commodious Poppleton brick store, corner of Main and Fifth [sic] streets, and will immediately take possession with their stock. It is one of the finest business locations in Osceola county, and the new occupants will undoubtedly do thriving business."
In late 1890, C.V. Priest & Company, a general store offering dry goods, groceries, boots, and shoes, moved into the Poppleton building. The local newspaper noted: "C.V. Priest has rented the Poppleton brick store and is in Chicago buying a new general stock of goods for the same." Priest & Co. lasted only a short time, and the Poppleton brothers apparently had a falling out over the fate of the building, leaving it to stand vacant for a period of time. In June 1896, one of the brothers was bought out by boot and shoe merchant George F. Andrus, who moved his store into the Poppleton block in July 1896. The Evart Review reported as follows on the matter on June 26, 1896:
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We have a piece of news this week which will be hailed with joy by all of our citizens. We refer to the transfer of the property known as the Poppleton brick block, on the corner of Main and Sixth streets, to Mr. Geo. F. Andrus, the well known shoe man. While the building and location is of the best in Evart, it has suffered to stand idle for many years owning to a quarrel between the former owners, and the property had become an eyesore and a nuisance. Mr. Andrus has already taken possession of the property, and will put it in shape by putting in plate glass windows, painting, etc., and will occupy the same within the next few weeks.
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Andrus apparently bought out the interests of the Poppleton brothers over time, the final transaction being completed in 1898 and leaving him with sole ownership of the building. The Evart Review issue of April 29, 1898 reported: "Geo. F. Andrus has effected satisfactory arrangements with Mr. Poppleton for his half interest and has become sole proprietor of the Poppleton brick block, one of the most desirable business properties in the city."
Sources
"Poppleton Bros., formerly of Birmingham, have erected...," Pontiac Weekly Gazette, December 4, 1874, p.3.
"E.C. Poppleton of Birmingham is in town...," Evart Review, March 10, 1882, p.5.
"Messrs. Howard & Davy, dry goods merchants, have leased...," Evart Review, November 9, 1883, p.5.
"C.V. Priest has rented the Poppleton brick store...," Evart Review, November 21, 1890, p.7.
"We have a piece of news...," Evart Review, June 26, 1896, p.4.
"Geo. F. Andrus has effected satisfactory arrangements...," Evart Review, April 29, 1898, p.5.
"Death Takes H.A. Poppleton," Birmingham Eccentric, March 29, 1928, p.1.
"Service Held For E.C. Poppleton," Birmingham Eccentric, October 21, 1937, p.1.
Rose, Charles L., Mrs. Evart Community, 1865-1972. [Place of publication not identified]: [publisher not identified], 1972.
Deborah Larsen
Deborah Larsen
Deborah Larsen
Deborah Larsen