“This is a picture of a Fingerle Lumber Co building that has been ‘reimagined’ as the Union Rec restaurant,” writes David Karl. “I had only recently eaten supper there,” writes Kenneth Koral, “and it is obvious the high ceilings are the warehouse.” “Funny, we just ate there tonight and then I saw the photo in the Observer,” says Matt Anderson.
“I recognized it just from the photo,” says Sam Firke, “but walked my dog over there tonight and eyeballed it to be sure.” “My husband and I [plot] our daily walk to head to possible locations,” writes our winner Marilyn Knepp.
“A random drive down Main and happenstance glance to the left” was how Bob Hart spotted “whatever that was” in the picture. “I believe that’s part of the old mill works,” says Dave Bicknell.
Historic photos show the industrial filtration unit, now detached, connected to both the Union Rec structure and the 1883 furniture factory next door. It’s unclear when it was detached, but in a January 2000 Observer article, Grace Shackman wrote that Fingerle bought the mill in the 1940s. The furniture factory was purchased by U-M in 1970.
We received eight correct entries in February. Knepp is donating her $25 prize to the Represent Foundation, a scholarship program for Malawian students funded in part by sales of Lucky, Observer deputy editor Brooke Marshall’s book advertised in February’s issue.
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Order The Fake Ad Book and I Spy: Ann Arbor Architecture at AnnArbor
Observer.com/books To enter this month’s contests, email backpage@aaobserver.com or write to us at PO Box 1187, AA 48106. All correct entries received by noon, March 10, will be eligible for our random drawings. Winners receive $25 gift cards or certificates to any business advertising in this issue.
