This old building stands in Grindstone City at the tip of the Thumb. It was the Grindstone City Trading Company and it was the last company to own and operate the grindstone quarries and company store that were once the centerpiece of a thriving grindstone industry. The industry began in 1834 when Captain Aaron Peer discovered a high-quality gritstone in the area. This led to the establishment of quarries and mills to produce grindstones, which were exported internationally. The Cleveland Stone Company purchased all the properties and quarries in 1888 and became the sole proprietors.
The grindstone industry in Grindstone City declined after World War I. This was due to the development of carborundum, an artificial abrasive that was more economical to produce. This change caused the industry to cease operations around 1930.The Grindstone General Store is the last remaining business from the original Grindstone City. It is now a seasonal ice cream parlor and gift shop.
If you love exploring the Thumb and reading about its unique history be sure to look at my new book Lost In Michigan’s Thumb available on Amazon HERE
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