Grand Rapids Illustrated collection

Collection

Identifier: Collection 091

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Contains three publications, primarily illustrations depicting Grand Rapids, Michigan views. The views included buildings, streets, schools, parks, houses and hospitals. The three publications are:

Grand Rapids Illustrated, by Ernest B. Fisher. International Publishing Company, 1888

Art Work of Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1896 by Lewis G. Stuart

Grand Rapids Then and Now, 1988 text by James VanVulpen and contemporary photographs by Rex D. Larson.

Fisher's set is notable for its views of the Grand River and riverbanks. Stuart generally used different views, though in several cases he merely published different angles of the same buildings contained in the Fisher work. Stuart, unlike Fisher, presents a wide sampling of house views and streetscapes. “Then and Now” presents views from the 1888 work and the same views in 1988.

The publications in their original format are included as available. But, the working copies of the images from the two earlier publications (those that may be photocopied), are loose plates from worn copies that have been housed in individual folders. Extra copies of the plates have also be interfiled by general subject matter in Boxes 4-5.

Dates

1888-1988

Biographical / Historical

In 1888 publisher Ernest B. Fisher published seventy-eight photographs of the Grand Rapids area in a nine-part serial titled Grand Rapids Illustrated. The parts were also subsequently bound and sold as a single unit. A bound copy was added to this collection in 2004, from the Library of Morris B. Fisher. It is worn and has loose pages, and is not to be used for photocopying or scanning.

Eight years later Lewis G. Stuart took the same idea and published seventy-four images, also in a nine part serial titled Art Work of Grand Rapids, Michigan. No original bound version has been found. A bound version which was given a local title is cataloged in WorldCat, and is now part of the Dorothy Judd Collection. This is not the original state of publication.

Grand Rapids Then and Now, published by the Grand Rapids Historical Commission in 1988, compares sixty-two views from the Fisher 1888 title with the same views in the spring of 1988.

Extent

3.2 Linear Feet (Six boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Grand Rapids Illustrated collection contains three pictorial publications with images that depict Grand Rapids, Michigan. The views include buildings, streets, schools, parks, houses, hospitals and so forth. The three publications are: Grand Rapids Illustrated by E.B. Fisher, 1888; Art Work of Grand Rapids, Michigan by L.G. Stuart, 1896 and Grand Rapids Then and Now, 1988. Grand Rapids Then and Now presents sixty-two views from the 1888 Grand Rapids Illustrated compared with new views taken in 1988 by photographer Rex D. Larson, with text by local historian James VanVulpen.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Library purchase, Grand Rapids Historical Commission; accession number 1988.039

Alphabetical Index

Key to symbols used in the alphabetical index:

"88-" = views in Grand Rapids Illustrated

"96-" = views in Art Work of Grand Rapids

"TN-" = views in Grand Rapids Then and Now

"f." = separated views from all three works placed in folders

Alphabetical index:

Ah-Nab-Awen Bicentennial Park - No. 33TN, f.1

Aldrich Memorial Home - No. 96-20

All Souls Universalist Church - No. 96-19

Amberg House - No. 96-26

Amway Grand Plaza Hotel - Nos. 16TN, 34TN, f.2, f.69

Ashton Building - No. 96-22

Baker Furniture Company - No. 96-74

Belknap House - No. 96-51

Berkey & Gay Furniture Company - No. 96-53

Berkey & Gay Showroom - No. 88-59, f.3

Bissell Carpet Sweeper Factory - Nos. 88-22, 96-18, 18TN, f.4

Bostwick Street Views - Nos. 88-65, 49TN, f.5

Breweries - Nos. 88-28, 28TN

Bridge Street Views - Nos. 88-27, 88-55, 96-71, 26TN, 27TN, f.6

Bridges - Nos. 88-06, 34TN

Butterworth Hospital - No. 96-41, f.100

Calder Plaza - Nos. 08TN, 09TN, f.7

Calvin College - No. 96-69, f.8

Campau Square Views - Nos. 96-09, 96-15, f.9

Canals - 88-30, 88-41, 88-42, 88-75, 96-18, 33TN, 35TN, f.29

Campbell House - No. 96-59

Central High School - Nos. 88-09, 96-21, 61TN, f.10

Charley's Crab Restaurant - No. 32TN, f.32

Cherry Street Views - Nos. 88-57, 45TN, f.11

Chicago House (hotel) - No. 88-74, f.54

Churches - Nos. 88-10, 88-46, 88-52, 96-19, 96-43, 96-63, 96-64, 05TN, 25TN, 44TN, 47TN, f.22, f.37, f.45, f.76, f.81, f.82, f.96

Churches. Interiors - Nos. 88-03, 88-66, f.79, f.80

City Hall - Nos. 88-34, 10TN, f.27

Clarendon Hotel - Nos. 88-68, 19TN, f.12

Coldbrook Pumping Station - No. 20TN, f.13

College Avenue Views - Nos. 96-46, 96-54

Colleges - No. 96-69, 54TN, f.16, f.26, f.8

Comerica Building - No. 15TN, f.57

County Courthouse - No. 96-23, f.43

County Jail - Nos. 88-31, 96-47, 38TN, f.44

Crescent Park - Nos. 88-17, 96-57, 07TN, f.14

Crescent Street Views - Nos. 88-01, 08TN, f.15

Creston Area Views - Nos. 88-64, 21TN, f.16

Dams - Nos. 88-08, 24TN, f.30

Davenport College - Nos. 41TN, 54TN, f.42

Derby Hotel - No. 88-24, f.18

Division Avenue Views - see South Division Avenue Views

East Side Power Canal - Nos. 88-41, 96-18, f.31

Factories - Nos. 88-22, 96-17, 96-18, 96-53, 96-58, 96-70, 96-74, 18TN, 30TN, 37TN, f.4, f.32, f.85, f.105

Fire Station No.3 - No. 88-25, f.19

Fire Station No.4 - No. 88-47, 09TN, f.20

Fountain School - No. 59TN, f.21

Fountain Street Baptist Church - No. 96-13, f.22

Fox Building - No. 96-48, f.101

Fox House - No. 96-34, f.23

Fulton Street Park - Nos. 88-20, 50TN, f.94

Fulton Street Views - Nos. 88-37, 96-27, 96-28, 52TN, f.24

Furniture Factories - Nos. 96-53, 96-58, 96-70, 96-74, 30TN, 37TN, f.85, f.105

Gay House - Nos. 88-60, 55TN, f.25

Grace Episcopal Church - No. 96-43

Grand Rapids & Indiana RR Office - Nos. 88-02, 96-05, 01TN, f.38

Grand Rapids Art Museum - No. 06TN, f.25

Grand Rapids City Hall - Nos. 88-34, 6-08, 10TN, f.26

Grand Rapids Gas Light Works - No. 96-55, f.102

Grand Rapids Junior College - No. 60TN, f.26

Grand Rapids Junior College. Learning Center - No. 61, f.28

Grand Rapids Public Library. Creston Branch - No. 21TN, f.16

Grand Rapids Pumping Station - Nos. 88-76, 96-56, 20TN, f.29

Grand Rapids Views - Nos. 88-07, 62TN, f.30

Grand River Views - Nos. 88-12, 88-23, 88-30, 88-32, 88-33, 88-41, 88-42, 88-43, 88-53, 88-75, 96-01, 96-10, 96-17, 96-18, 96-67, 32TN, 33TN, 35TN, 36TN, 37TN, 39TN, f.31

Grand River Views. Dam - Nos. 88-08, 24TN, f.32

Grand Valley State Univ. Eberhard Center - No. 39TN, f.29

Grocerys - Nos. 88-05, 27TN, 43TN, f.6

Guiding Light Mission - No. 42, f.33

Hall of Justice - No. 18, f.34

Hawkins & Perry Building - No. 88-72, 02TN, f.38

Hazeltine & Perkins Drug Company - Nos. 88-67, 14TN

Heald House - No. 96-60

Holt House - No. 88-69, f.35

Hospitals - Nos. 88-04, 96-29, 96-41, 23TN, 59TN, f.55, f.90, f.100

Hotels - Nos. 88-24, 88-39, 88-62, 88-68, 88-74, 96-39, 16TN, 19TN, 41TN, f.2, f.9, f.12, f.18, f.50, f.54, f.62, f.68, f.69

Houseman Building - Nos. 88-54, 96-38, 12TN, f.36

Houses - Nos. 88-11, 88-26, 88-36, 88-37, 88-50, 88-56, 88-57, 88-60, 88-69, 88-78, 96-06, 96-20, 96-25, 96-26, 96-27, 96-34, 96-35, 96-36, 96-50, 96-51, 96-54, 96-59, 96-60, 96-65, 96-66, 96-72, 96-73, 29TN, 46TN, 51TN, 54TN, 55TN, 58TN, f.23, f.24, f.25, f.35, f.38, f.47, f.59, f.74, f.91, f.98

Immanuel Lutheran Church - No. 96-63, f.37

Ionia Street Views - No. 88-02, 88-72, 96-05, 01TN, 02TN, f.38

Ionia and Louis Views - No. 03TN, f.39

Jails - Nos. 88-31, 96-47, 38TN, f.44

Jefferson Avenue Views - Nos. 88-50, 51TN, f.40

John Ball Park - No. 96-04, 96-32, f.41

John Ball Park. Arch - No. 96-45

Junior Achievement Building - No. 41, f.42

Kent County Building - No. 96-23, f.43

Kent County Jail - No. 88-31, 96-47, 38TN, f.44

Knights of Pythias Buildings - No. 96-22, f.106

LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church - No. 44, f.45

LaGrave Avenue Views - Nos. 88-56, 44TN, f.45

Ladies Literary Club - Nos. 88-38, 48TN, f.46

Ladies Literary Society - No. 96-62

Lafayette Avenue Views - Nos. 88-26, 88-48, 96-72, 53TN, f.47

Lakeside Club - No. 96-40, f.48

Ledyard Building - Nos. 88-14, 11TN, f.49

Lemon House - No. 96-50

Leonard Building - No. 96-52, f.103

Lincoln Park Views - No. 96-16, f.104

Little Sisters of the Poor Home - No. 96-44

Livingston Hotel - Nos. 88-62, 41TN, f.50

Lyon Street Views - No. 88-73, 58TN, 60TN, f.51

Madison Avenue School - No. 96-30, f.52

Madison Avenue Views - Nos 96-06, 96-36, f.53

Manger Hotel - No. 19TN, f.62

Market Street Views - No. 88-74, f.54

Michigan Chair Company - No. 96-74

Michigan Masonic Home - No. 96-07

Michigan Trust Building - No. 96-03

Michigan Veterans Facility - No. 88-19, 96-24, 23TN, f.55

Michigan Veterans Facility. Dining Room - No. 88-21

Missions - No. 42TN, f.33

Monroe Avenue Views - Nos. 88-63, 96-02, 96-49, 17TN, f.56

Monroe Center Amphitheater - No. 15TN, f.57

Monroe Center Views - Nos. 88-35, 88-45, 96-42, 04TN, 40TN, f.58

Morris Avenue Views - No. 96-37, f.59

Morton House (hotel) - No. 96-39

O-Wash-Ta-Nong Boat Club Building - Nos. 88-13, 03TN, f.60

O-Wash-Ta-Nong Boat Clubhouse - No. 88-15, 56TN, f.61

Olds Manor - No. 19TN, f.62

Oldtown Riverfront Building - No. 38TN, f.63

Optical Supply, Inc. - No. 22TN, f.64

Oriel Cabinet Company - No. 96-58, f.105

Orphanages - No. 96-61, f.107

Ottawa Street Views - Nos. 88-67, 14TN, f.65

Ottawa and Lyon Views - No. 10TN, f.66

Ottawa and Pearl Views - No. 12TN, f.67

Page's Drug Store - Nos. 88-64, 21TN, f.16

Pantlind Hotel - Nos. 88-39, 16TN, f.68

Parking Ramps - No. 49TN, f.5

Parks - Nos. 88-20, 96-16, 96-32, 96-57, 07TN, 31TN, 33TN, 50TN, f.1, f.14, f.41, f.87, f.94

Pearl Street Bridge - Nos. 88-06, 34TN, f.69

Peck's Drug Store - Nos. 88-45, 40TN, f.56

Peninsular Club - No. 88-18, 96-68, 13T, f.70

People. Larson, Rex D. - f.71

People. VanVulpen, James - f.71

Pharmacies - No. 88-45, 88-64, 21TN, 26TN, 40TN, f.5, f.16

Phoenix Furniture Company - Nos. 96-70, 30TN, f.85

Plainfield Avenue School - No. 88-29, 22TN, f.72

Plaster Mill - No. 88-58, f.73

Prospect Avenue Views - Nos. 96-65, 96-66, f.74

Pythian Building - see Knights of Pythias Building

Reeds Lake Views - Nos. 88-16, 96-14, 32TN, 57TN, f.75

Restaurants - No. 32TN, f.32

Rowe Hotel - No. 19TN, f.62

Russell & Simmons Carriage Works - No. 88-74, f.54

Schools - Nos. 88-09, 88-29, 88-40, 88-70, 88-71, 96-21, 96-30, 96-31, 22TN, 31TN, 42TN, 59T, f.9, f.20, f.52, f.77, f.86, f.89, f.99

Second Street Methodist-Episcopal Church - No. 96-64, f.76

Shanahan House - No. 96-25

South Division Avenue School - Nos. 88-70, 42TN, No. f.77

South Division Avenue Views - Nos. 88-05, 43TN, f.78

Spring House - No. 96-35

Square Centre - No. 15, f.57

St. Andrews Church. Interior - No. 88-66, f.79

St. James Church. Interior - No. 88-03, f.80

St. John's Orphanage - No. 96-61, f.107

St. Mark's Episcopal Church - Nos. 88-52, 05TN, f.81

St. Mary's Church - Nos. 88-46, 25, f.82

Steps - No. 88-51, f.83

Stocking Street Views - Nos. 88-28, 28TN, f.84

Stow & Davis Company - No. 30, f.85

Straight Street School - No. 88-71, 31TN, f.86

Straight and Watson Views - No. 31, f.87

Summer Street Views - Nos. 88-61, 29TN, f.88

Sweets Hotel - Nos. 88-39, 16TN

Turner Street School - No. 88-40, f.89

U.B.A. Hospital - Nos. 88-04, 96-29, 59TN, f.90

Uhl House - No. 88-11, f.91

United States Federal Building - Nos. 88-44, 06TN, f.92

Valley City Street & Cable Co. Power House - No. 88-77, 58TN, f.93

Veith and Rathbun Eagle Brewery - Nos. 88-28, 28TN

Veterans Park - Nos. 88-20, 96-13, 50TN, f.94

Voigt Mill - No. 88-53

Washington Avenue Views - No. 96-73

Washington and State Views - Nos. 88-36, 46TN, f.95

Waterloo and Ellsworth Views - No. 88-74

West Side Drug Store - Nos. 88-55, 26TN, f.6

West Side Power Canal - Nos. 88-30, 88-42, 88-75, 33TN, 35TN, f.31

Westminster Presbyterian Church - Nos. 88-10, 96-11, 47TN, f.96

Widdicomb Building - Nos. 88-49, 15TN, f.97

Widdicomb Street School - No. 96-31, f.99

Widdicomb, Harry House - No. 54TN, f.98

Widdicomb, William House - No. 88-78, f.98

YMCA - No. 96-33

Copies found elsewhere in the Collections

GR Illustrated #64, Plainfield at Coit, Creston Area views, including building which became the Creston Library. See copy in Coll. 109, 12/12/2001.