Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-12-03

The above head lines might lead one
TO think Alma is enjoying a boom at
present and that when the boom is gone
the town will be dead. But such is not
the case Alma has never had boom IN
the common acceptation of that term.
1t has known no mushroom growth. 1t
did not spring up in single night and
then wither away as the grass OF the
field The rise of this fair village of the
plain NAV be said TO have been of the
General Thomas order, ''slow, but ter
ribly sure" And yet the growth of
Alma and the development of the
surrounding country have not been
rery slow. 1t is only few short sum-
mers since the fox the deer, and other
native wild animals roamed at will IN
the primeval forest, unmolested save by
the red man. But the white man came,
the soil was found 60 be exceedingly
rich and the obstructing forests gave
place TO fertile farms. Tomeet the needs
of a market, hamlet sprang into being,
and this hamlet has lived and grown
till il is now the banner town Of this
section of country. One by one the
original buildings have disappeared in
various ways till only very few are
left, and our thriving little city contains
several fire brick blocks, an elegant hotel,
conducted on the American plan, the
best all around college in the northwest;
and the finest sanitarium in the world.
The country around Alma has kept
pace with the growth Of the village aud
many fine farms border on the city limits
and extend away through a radius of
many miles. Alma is surrounded by
some of the best farming land in the
state, which yields all kinds OF farm pro-
duce. Stock raising is also engaged i'll
TO a large extent. Ii can be safely said
that no new block has been put up in
Alma till the development of the rural
resources and the consequent increase
of business in the town has absolutely
demanded it. But this is especially
true of the new Pollasky block which
is already so near completion and cut
Of which is herewith given.
Among the early settlers here were
Mr.. and Mrs. Michael Pollasky, who
have always had the best interests of
the place at heart and have been ever
watchful of its progress. Soon after
nI ~ "a
of Superior and State-sts. was destroyed
by fire in 1888, they saw that the growth
and prosperity of Alma and vicinity de-
manded new block 20 be built to meet
its commercial requirements. So, early
in the year 1894, the present handsome
brick and stone structure was conceived
in the minds OF Mr.. Pollasky and his
wife. But the advent of the hard times
delayed the execution Of their plans till
last spring, when returning prosperity
and the increase in the volume of trade
made the demand for the building more
imperative and also made possible its
erection.
Excavating for the new block was
begun as early as practicable in the
spring and the work pushed rapidly for
ward. The corner stone was laid July
"a with imposing ceremonies conducted
by Nj. Pollasky. 1t is now completed
with the exception of few suites of
office rooms in the second story, and
may be described in the following terms;
The Pollasky b 'ock is constructed Of
the best grade of stock brick with facings
md copings of Ionia sandstone, famous
ior its beauty ana durability, and these
brick and stone are built into walls of
extra thickness. The foundation walls
too are sufficiently substantial TO have
carried the edifce TO three times its
present height. The propretors have
certainly succeeded in their effort to
nako it tho most substantial building in
The northv, est AMI to have it the most
lodorn and up-to-date, both general
utlino anu minutest detail.
The front designs are of the latest
! modern style, the plate alass windows