2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007

HISTORICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BUILDING

Many businesses utilized the building after Nelson Wing. Al Lathrup repaired shoes in the building. Jacob Rochm had a harness shop in the building. Around 1910 Flora Smith and Mrs. George Snyder opened the "Women's Exchange" in the Rochm building, as it was now known, advertising anything that any lady could exhibit needlework, baking, painting or anything, else saleable in the Rochm building.

Dear Friends:

"Dexter is an old community. It has monuments, which should be preserved. Among them is the original post office building put up by Judge Dexter more than a century ago, probably in 1826. To make the building continue its primary purpose, public service, it has been my privilege to restore it. Perhaps you may consider it a suitable and acceptable place for your club meetings. It seems to me that the library you sponsor should have a place to grow. The only condition I attach to this proposal, is that I may be permitted the personal use of the building when I am in Dexter. On my visits to Dexter the charming atmosphere of the Alice Frances house, as I desire to have it called, will be conducive to inspired writing I am sure."

Alice Frances was the name of Senator Copeland's daughter who died in infancy.

A plaque was placed on the building, designating the building as "The Alice Frances House". The plaque remains on the building today. Upon Senator Copeland's death in 1938, his widow presented the building as a gift to the village and the women's club. Many current residents remember the building as the village library.

In 1964, the building was used for village council meetings, and most recently as the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Substation. The building has been renovated and returned to a commercial use.  

Prepared by Nanev J. Van Blaricum from articles written by Norma I McAllister and published in the Dexter Leader. For more information Contact the Dexter Area Museum