Era: 1957
Location: Downtown Owosso, South Washington Street
Summer 1957 found downtown Owosso bustling with activity. The Hotel Owosso advertised room rates of $2.75 and up—a bargain even by the standards of the day.
The streets were lined with businesses that served every need: Knolls General Merchandise at 113 South Washington Street, JC Penney, Kaufmans, Arthur Ward Furniture Co., The Princess Shops, Irvings, and Spaniolo.
This was the era before shopping malls and big box stores, when downtown was the undisputed center of community life. Families came to shop, socialize, and see their neighbors.