Walled Lake
In 1830 a trading post was established for the Indians on the east shore of Walled Lake. It was kept by two men, King and Prentice.
The first regular store to be established here was kept by William R. Adams in 1833. Besides a regular stock of groceries and dry goods, Mr. Adams also dealt in whiskey which was easily diluted from the nearby lake.
Anse Austin and Isaac Taylor also did a mercantile business, in later years, occupying a small red building adjacent to the hotel kept by Jesse Tuttle.
Mr. Duell afterward had a stock of goods here, kept in a red building standing on the north shore of the lake opposite the dwelling occupied by John Pickett and east of his cooper shop, which also stood on the north shore.
Mr. Case at one time had a store on the place now occupied as a dwelling by George Dickinson. A Mrs. Phillips also had a store in the same place.
Mr. B.F. Brown bought the Duell business, living over the store until he built a store on the corner now occupied by Fred Parmenter's store. This was about 60 years ago.
Most of these stores were doing business in the days when goods were hauled from Detroit with ox teams.
Dr. J.M. Hoyt built a store on the corner east of Brown's store on the ground now occupied by the brick block. This store being occupied at different times by Mr. Adams, McFadden, and Owen. James and Ed Tuttle and Clutz. James Humphrey also sold goods here at one time,later came R.S. Howard, which changed to Howard and Weaver.
There was at one time a store on the lake shore opposite the Hotel corner. Seth Robinson once did business there. Steve M. Gage and Woodman also ran a store there.
Afterward, on Steve M. Gage moving to the store owned by Dr. J.M. Hoyt, Will Parmenter engaged in business in this building.
May Tuttle, 1921
This account was transcribed from a photocopy of a manuscript entitled "Walled Lake Home Comers Historical and Memorial Association." Minor corrections have been made.