9 Wilder Bros. Store
(Townsend Store)
Walter Wilder came to Michigan in 1878 from Wellington, Ontario and for a short time engaged in carriage manufacturing in Detroit. He moved to Metamora and worked in the same business until 1880 when he decided to go into farming. In 1882, his brother, Rufus, joined him and they built the Wilder Bros. Store on the northwest corner of High and Oak streets. Eventually, Henry Townsend took over and ran a furniture store.
The post office once occupied the north wing. Today, the front of the old post office has been removed, but if you look, the steps are still there. This building follows Queen Anne influence. Notice the paired brackets under the eaves. This building later became a hardware store, and underwent renovation in 2004. It is now the home to Village Saltbox, offering decor, collectibles and antiques.
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