Spot the Differences: Then and Now: Ainsworth Mill (11 W. Michigan)

Sharp-eyed readers successfully guessed yesterday's Photo Quiz and pinpointed the old flour mill as the modern-day Eleven West Salon & Spa at 11 W. Michigan Ave. Here are some pictures of the old mill throughout its long lifetime (click photos for larger images).

This photo is the only photo in the 4 photos in the "11 W. Michigan" file in the "Location" section of the Archives that is marked with a date. It's from 1889, when the mill was sparkling new. 1889 was a year after the mill was rebuilt the second time after its initial construction in the summer of 1887; it burned down Dec. 3 of that year.




By around 1893, the mill had expanded (per James Mann) to "all grains and seeds, beans, apples and wool, produced in the region, and custom feed - grinding."

The mid 20th century saw a lot of dubious architectural changes in Ypsi. You can see the mill's beautiful facade has been all bricked up, and that the infamous "cheese grater" has been installed on City Hall.

It is hard to date this unlabeled picture. The cheese grater was installed in mid-century and removed in 1999. The chop suey joint was formerly Markham's restaurant, at least as late as 1966, according to this gentleman:

As a side note, the little restaurant to the left (red front) was once called Markham's and specialized in beef dinners, I believe. I came here with the family in 1966 for dinner during my furlough after army basic training. We had done so much yelling in basic training that the french dressing on my salad irritated my throat and made me cough profusely during the meal.

The chop suey joint, whose Chinese characters may or may not say "Five Moon Flower," changed over to the current Hidden Dragon around 2004, according to Hidden Dragon. So we can say this photo is from c. 1967-1999.

Another unlabeled photo in the Archives shows the Ainsworth Mill when it had become the Main Street restaurant, which existed from 1982-1997. Note how ugly, asymmetrical, and unattractive the facade has become.

Finally, here is the beautiful mill restored to its 2009 arched glory. Taken from the same perspective as the second, c. 1893 photo if you'd like to compare.

Thanks to Phoenix Construction, who clearly did a fantastic job and gave back to Ypsilanti one of the few remaining local mills.