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Lexington
was the first settlement on the shores of Lake Huron north of Port Huron in
1835.
According
to the post office archives, the name Lexington was chosen in 1846 by
villager, Reuben Diamond, whose wife was a cousin of Ethan Allen. The
latter fought at the Battle of Lexington during the Revolutionary War.
 The
first hotel built of logs in 1840 was located at the corner of M-25
& M-90 in downtown Lexington. It was destroyed by fire in 1859 and
was rebuilt in 1860. It is still called the Cadillac House Restaurant
and Pub.
In
1870 the first Lexington Bank opened in the Noble Building. It is
located on the north side of Huron Avenue just west of the Lexington light.
The Home/Garden/Lake style shop called Noble currently occupies the premises..
In
the 1850's, John Divine, the first attorney in Sanilac County, built his home
in Lexington (Currently Primrose Manor Bed & Breakfast). He
established his law office in 1858 which is currently the Lexington Library.
Dr.
Walter P. Brown who came to Lexington in 1853, and who had a natural wit and
philosophy rarely equaled, was often heard to remark that "Nature has
endowed Lexington with more beauty than any place in Michigan. There
will be a perfect little town here some day."
The
first sawmill was built in 1846 and three permanent docks were kept busy
loading lumber and wood products on the schooners that came from the lower
lakes region for the industry in Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago.
Shingles
were the currency in the early days of the settlement. The market price
was one dollar per thousand. One thousand shingles bought a barrel of
flour and 20,000 shingle bought a barrel of pork.
The
old
fire hall on Main Street used horses and wagons to put the fire
out. Notice the bell to notify the firefighters. The
building was used by the Masons and was once the opera house
Joseph
Meyer with the old water pumper, which was purchased from the city of Port
Huron in 1859.
Lexington
offers an appealing combination of sophistication and history, along with a
touch of nostalgia for a way of life of years gone by. It's heritage
homes and buildings are a site to see. Full of unique shops, cultural
entertainment, fine and family dining, cozy Bed & Breakfasts and lakeside
cottages, visitors may enjoy the best of modern amenities while feeling like
they stepped into the charming lifestyle of 100 years ago.
Merchant
Store (left) once owned by Samuel Tewksbury, John L. Woods, Nims, & Rudolph Pabst. Colonial Hotel
is next door. John L. Woods built several homes in the area including
the Tewksbury Home (Currently Watson Manor AFC). Albert Sleeper was from
Lexington and was the nephew of Samuel Tewksbury and also the nephew of John
L. Woods. Albert worked as a clerk in the Merchant store before he
became the Michigan Governor in 1920. Ehardt's
Pharmacy now occupies the land . Buildings were located on the north side of
Huron Avenue
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Huron
Avenue - North Side 1900's
Huron
Avenue - South Side 1900's
Cadillac House Restaurant
(Southeast Corner)
Bell's Drug Store, Noble Bank, & Library
(NW
Corner)
Sheldon
Dock-Freighter coming to the Lexington dock prior to the 1913
storm that destroyed the 3 docks. Freighters never returned
to Lexington again. Lexington built a harbor of refuge in
the 1970's. There are many boat slips, restaurants, park,
picnic area, beach, and pier for everyone to enjoy.
Bathing
Beauties at the beach/dock (before 1913)
Arial
View (prior to 1913)
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