LEXINGTON MICHIGAN HISTORY

Est. 1835

 

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

 

 

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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