I got to wondering what is the oldest business still in operation in Saginaw County, here is the list I came up with. It’s a diverse list, in a wide range of industries, from businesses that are now large corporations to ones that are still family businesses .
1889 Dornbos Printing Impressions
Dornbos Printing Impressions began in 1889 as Friedman Hynan Printing Co., operated as Lanterman Press from 1947 until 1974, when it was purchased by Paul M. Dornbos, who named it Dornbos Press.
Anton F. Deisler founded A. Deisler & Son Funeral Home at 521 Genesee in 1888. It was the first funeral home in Saginaw In 1895, the funeral home moved to 707 Federal, where it remained until downtown congestion prompted a move to 441 N. Jefferson in 1947
In Hemlock Farmers home Tavern was established and it’s known for making some of the best hamburgers in Saginaw County.
1879 Perry’s Schuch Bar and Nightclub
Built as a private residence in 1868 by lumber barons is the building located at 301 N. Hamilton in old town. It was converted into a hotel in 1879 and has had a few different owners over the years with the Schuch family adding a café and became a favorite hangout of many residents. Mike Perry purchased and restored the building in 2004 and although its name has changed a few times its one of the oldest operating hotels and saloons in Michigan and it’s why it made the list.
W. L. Case and Company was founded by Frederick Eli Case and later he joined by his son Winfred L. Case who was one of Michigan’s first licensed funeral directors.
21 year old Irish immigrant Rodger Clancy Hendrick began his company in 1876, R.C. established himself as a mason contractor in Saginaw, Michigan.
the pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in East Saginaw, Fr. Francis van der Bom, requested that the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul open a hospital in Saginaw. the first hospital was established in the former Monitor house in 1874. The Daughters of Charity opened St. Mary’s Hospital in 1875. In February 1892, a new five story building was finished. In 1928, a new building was dedicated, adding an emergency room, 4 operating rooms, a medical library, and bringing the total of beds to 156. A new facility was opened in 1961, following the demolition of the 1892 building. The St. Mary’s burn unit was opened in 1975. The first open heart surgery was performed at St. Mary’s on Sept. 10, 1984.
1871 Spatz Bread
Two Spatz brothers moved from Germany to Frankenmuth in 1871 and started a bakery, a few years later they moved to Saginaw and have continued making bread with the same recipe they started with for over 150 years.
Founded by a group of Bavarian pioneer settlers in 1868. The Deutschen Frankenmuther Unterstützungs Verein was a true mutual insurance society. Each of the 200 charter members listed the buildings and goods they wished to insure and their value. When any member incurred a loss by fire or other covered peril, every member was called on to contribute toward coverage of the loss, with the contribution proportionate to the member’s insured values. The Association’s first office consisted of available space in the back room of the Nuechterlein Mortuary on Main Street in Frankenmuth.
George and Edward Morley partnered with Anton Schmitz and opened a hardware business in Saginaw which later became one of the largest hardware wholesalers in Michigan. Currently the company provides a wide range of services to businesses including, group travel, research, exhibits and displays.
Saginaw Bay Underwriters got its start insuring the booming lumber industry in the Saginaw Valley, currently they serve over 12,000 customers and is one of the largest independent agencies in Michigan
The News, started as the East Saginaw Courier by George F. Lewis and began publishing on June 16. 1859,
Zehnder’s started serving meals in the Exchange Hotel in 1856, just eleven years after the founding of Frankenmuth in 1845
Feige’s Interiors began as the first furniture store in Michigan, opened in 1854 by Englehardt Feige. A master cabinetmaker, Englehardt built custom-made furniture right here in Saginaw with the help of his sons. In 1867, Englehardt’s four sons took over the family business. By this time the store and factory, named The Feige Brothers, were well known throughout both Michigan and the nation.
if your thinking, how can a car dealership be older than the car? since the first automobile is considered the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, by German inventor Karl Benz. It’s because Schafer and Bierlien was started by George M. Schaefer as a blacksmith shop in 1852. later in 1914 Barney Schaefer began selling automobiles.
Pure Saginaw T-shirts are on SALE this week, they make for a great Mother’s Day gift, you can order one HERE
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