The property that is now Emerald Hills Golf & Tavern was likely farmed up until 1931 when Daryl Hoeltzel purchased 90 acres from Harold Brooks for a golf course. Shortly after, Hoeltzel sold out to Albert W. and Winston J. Schuler who named the course Alwyn Downs (after Al and Win Schuler). In 1945 when Ronan and Kunzl, who were located at the airport, needed more space for their operations the Schulers sold them the entire adjoining golf course. Ronan and Kunzl hired Harry Rimmer, a golf pro from Illinois, to run the golf course and extended their factory to a portion of the property. In 1969 Kenneth Ronan’s son Kieth became the manager of the golf course and in 1975 a restaurant called Alwyn on the Green was serving dinners at the golf course. In 1980 Laverne and Shirley Schaub opened a restaurant at the golf course called Laverne & Shirley’s. The restaurant closed in 1989 but a golf course lounge and bar continued from that date under the management of Susan Springer. Golf pro Dennis Hotrum succeeded Ronan as manager of the course in 1990. From this point, ownership changed several times through the years until Ann Arbor-based Norfolk Homes purchased the site in early 2020 with plans to transform a portion of the property into housing. A variety of improvements to the 6,207-yard course and restaurant at 1225 S. Kalamazoo Ave. have ensued.
In the mid-1800s the Michigan Central Railroad housed its depot near the property that is now the Dark Horse Brewing Co. The railroad occupied much of this area until M.C.R.R. moved its shops to Jackson in 1871. Numerous businesses occupied this property until Clarence Wood and Jacob H. Maurer ran a Naveo Gas Station from 1938-1940. It became the Thomas Sergent Filling Station and Restaurant in 1940, Harold Rudduck Naveo in 1944 (Helen Rudduck ran a lunchroom in connection, William R Middaugh Service Station from 1947-1959, Slone and Brand Service Station in 1969, O & J Service in 1971, Kelly & Buford Naveo Station from 1971-1975, and Mike Scroggin’s Party Store from 1982-1984). In 1985, Obie Slone’s Party Store sold out to Bill Morse who called his establishment “Wacky Willy’s” Party Time Store. After a fire in 1989 the old building was rebuilt with a new wooden front. His son, Aaron Morse suggested redesigning the restaurant into a brewpub. Achieving great success under the new name, Dark Horse Brewery, Morse added a general store to sell merchandise and home brewing supplies. In 2014, a reality show called Dark Horse Nation, featuring the company and its employees, premiered on The History Channel. In 2019, Dark Horse was purchased by Roak Brewing Co. of Royal Oak, Michigan. In 2021, ROAK Brewing closed its Royal Oak Michigan tap room and brewery and consolidated all its brewing operations in Marshall, including a separate tap room and kitchen located on the Dark Horse campus.
The building at 201 West Michigan has worn many hats. In 1836 it was a shoe store, in 1840 a livery stable, in 1841 it housed a newspaper, and in 1844 we know that a Mechanics Hall meeting space was on the second floor. Next, the building became a store and then a Baptist church and finally, in 1850 the second floor was converted into a hotel. The main floor became an eating house for the railroad and by 1857 it was a saloon. It suffered several fires and was christened with many names, one that stuck a long time was the Tontine Hotel by which it was known from 1879 until 1908. Albert Schuler bought the building in 1920 and then sold it to Harold Brooks in 1929, who saved and renovated this building. It was leased to Tom Brooks in 1951, who named the Stagecoach. During Prohibition there was a puzzling sign in the window that said “The first of May will be the last of August!” In 1928, the local police, led by Calhoun County Sheriff Albert Schuler, held a sting operation on the building during which they found a “blind pig” in the basement containing several gallons of illegal whisky. Apparently, the bartender was named August.
The private residence of a Mrs. Showerman was located at this site until it caught fire in 1856. She survived, but the home was destroyed by another fire just one year later. In 1860, the C.W. Emerson & Company Marble Works operated here and, in 1869 was run by H.W. Griffith. In 1875, John Engleman took down an old building here and J.F. Gaus erected a brick building. Engleman operated a plumbing business here until 1882 when he moved to Detroit. At this time, Julius Engleman carried on the business until 1884 when John Faust leased the Engleman Building for a saloon in 1886. In 1892, Joe Bailey opened a Billiard room in the Engleman Building, followed by the Tom Conley Saloon in 1893., J.S. Bowers Furniture in 1894, R. Martin Barber Shop in the basement in 1897, Newton Restaurant in 1898, and the City Laundry in 1900 with the Snug Restaurant under the laundry. In 1905 Wagner’s “Snug” lunchroom caught fire and in 1906 there was a report that rats were infesting the former Wagner lunchroom. In 1908 the laundry was sold to Beedon who sold it to Waite and Nichols in 1913. In 1924, Bert Wait and Nichols moved their laundry, and the Dawson and Rosecrantz Billiard Hall was established in 1925. In 1929, Dawson moved and Rosecrantz and Kipp chose to sell men’s clothing and beer at this location. By 1938, Edson Sweet sold retail beer at this location. Ann Swarner’s Stag Tavern operated here in 1941, then Joe Comstock in 1955, and the name was changed to Hindy’s in 1969 with Robert Hindenach and James Bicknell owners. Beverly and Jim Bicknell changed the name to The Copper Bar in 1978. The Copper Bar closed in the late 2010s but reopened as a newly renovated sports bar in 2018 under new ownership and an updated name, the Copper Athletic Club.
In 1867 there was a Cottage Inn on the north 40 ft of Lot 7, which is the present location of Schuler’s Restaurant. The Johnston House Hotel opened in 1869 on the northeast corner of Green and Eagle Streets by owners Daniel H Way and D.B. Whitcomb. The hotel was rebuilt in 1878 by Whitcomb and called the Exchange. By 1883 William Johnson was proprietor and he built an addition to the hotel which he called the “Sample Room.” In 1890 the name was changed to the Johnson Hotel and sold to A.D. Milhan of Coldwater wo planned to tear down the building and build a new one. He finally decided to extend the building to Green Street.
In 1895 the hotel was named the Royal. A new sign was erected, and a new bus transported visitors to and from the train depot. By 1906 George Painter was the owner and he sold a part interest to Joseph Painter who in turn sold it to his sister J.B. Howe, and a brother, H. Painted, who was arrested in 1908 for keeping the bar open on election night.
The old Royal Hotel was purchased in 1923 for $5,000 by Albert Schuler who operated a small restaurant in the hotel. Schuler started out as a cigar maker and owner of a “hole-in-the-wall” café on State Street (Michigan Ave). He purchased the Garrick Café in 1917 and the specialty of his 30-seat eatery was a 25-cent blue plate dinner. His son, Winston, helped with many of the chores in the restaurant and later in the hotel. In 1934 Win Schuler, after a stint at teaching school returned to take over management of the hotel restaurant. In 1936 Albert retired and Win became the owner.
The first expansion came in 1940 when Win added the Frontier Room. He then bought the old garage north of the hotel in 1942 and built a bowling alley in that location. The bowling alley was remodeled into restaurant space becoming the Centennial Room and opening for business on Christmas Day 1946. Next to go was the livery stable and garage. This location was remodeled into the Dickens Room which opened on Thanksgiving Day 1948. As the Schuler name became famous nationally, the business was expanded to new restaurants. In 1959 Hans Schuler joined his father and in 1970 became president of Win Schuler’s Inc. with Win as chairman of the board. The Marshall Hotel was converted into business offices in 1971 for Schuler Restaurant Enterprises and ceased to operate as a hotel. Win Schuler retired in 1982 and Hans became president and chairman. The corporate name was changed to Schuler’s Inc. In March of 1992 Larry Schuler, son of Hans, became the fourth generation to serve as official host and general manager at Schuler’s original restaurant. Winston’s Pub was significantly renovated, while maintaining the quaint feel of the early twentieth century space. Elevated stage areas were removed and the wall between the Pub and the Centennial Room (main dining room) was opened. Old vinyl floor tiles were replaced, ceilings were painted, and the intimate two-person booths were moved from the center of the room to the outside wall. At the far end, railings were removed, and spaces opened to allow better traffic flow into the Grille Room and the Patio area. At the bar, the draft system was also amped up, doubling its number of tap handles to enhance the selection of local craft beer, cider and sangria. 2022 Work begins to convert former hotel-turned storage/office-space into seven much-needed mixed-income apartments on the second and third floors of Schuler’s Restaurant, supported by a Community Development Block Grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The first tenants moved in January of 2023. Phase II includes the addition of five hotel rooms in a separate upper-level wing of the restaurant opening in June of 2023. 2022 Sue Damron acquires an abandoned 13,305-squarefoot historic building 112 N. Eagle St. in downtown Marshall – within walking distance to the Schuler’s – to be converted in the coming year as a multi-use private event space, under the direction of Nineteen Zero Nine LLC. The space will be managed by the Schuler’s team, including catering from the restaurant and accommodations in the new hotel space
This lot was another part of the space tied up in litigation for 30 years. From 1874-1878 C.S. Brooks had a photo shop here. In 1885 George H. Ferguson operated the Arlington Restaurant in this location. After Ferguson the next proprietors were Ed Parsons, 1888; G. Pryor, 1890; Allie Sanders, 1890; Henry G Filkins, 1892-1894; and in 1895 the Hoelzel Saloon until 1905. The A.C. Hayes Saloon was next until 1907 when it was succeeded by the Phil Hoelzel Saloon and the Hub Cigar Store. From 1923 to 1944 the C.W. Roethlisberger Meat Market operated at this location and from 1944-1946 the Arlington Tavern owned by Elmer Cohen. Next was E.B. Francisco, briefly in 1947, Verne Elsie Tavern from 1947-1964, Almark Tavern owned by Mark Cato and Al Holczman from 1964-1977, Harold Wydendorf from 1977-1984, and on March 21, 1985, by Yesteryear’s Restaurant owned by Doug Ditto. Ditto sold the restaurant to Al and Minnie Wiseman on May 11, 1990.
From 1858 to 1869 the US Post Office was located here. In 1873 G.W. Steele was located at 87 State Street followed by Gottlieb Schmid Boots from 1873-1877. No further records are available until 1889 when Hoskins and Kosher Meats located here. They were replaced by E.P. Jandell Meats from 1891 to 1899, Arthur Ford and Bentley Greenman Meats in 1901 which dissolved to Greenman later in 1901, and then J.H. Halliday Harness Shop from 1901-1905. In 1905 Halliday divided his store in two parts with Wetmore in one potion and Halliay in the other until he moved locations in 1909. Next at this location was J.L. Freed Cigar Store (1911-1925), John Tucker Restaurant (1926), William Huddleston (1929), George Daskham (1930), Colin Carson (1937) who sold to Henry Jostes (1938, Herb Ferguson (1939), R. Wallace (1945), Fred Cuzzens (1949), Edward Arnold (1974), Kenneth Barnes (1978), and Ron Hanna (1982). Ed and Gloria Arnold took over again in 1986. Ed died on December 10, 1986 and Gloria sold to Jonie Passmore on October 1, 1989. This restaurant was called the Dug Out since 1929 until the early 2000s. The Broadway Grille was established at this location in 2010.
In 1861 J.H. Clark moved his barber ship four doors west of the Herndon Hotel to this location. Clark moved locations in 1863 and John P. Roller opened a saloon here. The Roller Saloon had a fire in 1872. In 1883 the Charles Linder Saloon replaced Roller. Linder sold out to Phil Lutz in 1889 who was joined by a son, John, in 1901 and then Phil retired in 1902. John moved locations in 1902 and was succeeded by the Hayner Saloon in 1903 and the Schmidt Saloon in 1905. A.J. Frazee sold cigars here from 1909-1913 and in 1913 A.J. Bollons Shooting Gallery was located here. Others at this location include J.F. Halliday (1914), J. Sunberg Marshall Tire Repair (1915), A.J. Powell Meats (1915-1916), and William Grey’s “Home of the Ford” (1917-1919). Grey built a second story on the building in 1917. Schaeffer and Smith replaced Grey and sold out to R. Storr in 1920. Storr sold out to Battle Creek Motor Sales in 1929 but the business was still called Marshall Buick Sales until 1932. In 1948 the Gamble Store moved into the front portion and the Memorial Sales occupied the rear portion. The Gamble Store of Robert Mumaw was replaced by Casey Florist in 1956 and when Carren Casey died in 1962 the business was moved and the Goodwill Industries took over the building. Goodwill was replaced by Central TV in 1978, Carl’s Home Improvement Center in 1982, Don Longneckers New York Gallery in 1983, the Neighborhood Video Sales in 1985 and the Flower Haus in 1990. A wine and Florist shop took over and in 2022 Maria’s Uncorked was established at this location.
In 1856 D. Alwin Bagley was located across the street from the Presbyterian Church which was located on the north side of State Street (Michigan Ave), and in 1857 H. Livingston moved a jewelry store to this location. By 1859 Jacob Burkle was making furniture here and later he had a partner named Arndst. They were replaced by the Talcott Furniture Company in 1865. Talcott was replaced by Fred Gaus in 1866 who took a partner Ross in 1869 and remodeled the building in 1870. It became Gaus & Barrett in 1871 and the J.F. Gaus and Company sold out to G.S. Barrett in 1874. Barrett and Co. was replaced again by Gaus who was selling ice in the old furniture store location in 1879. Louis Stein moved a meat market to the Gaus Building in 1881 and took a partner named Hertkorn. In the meantime, Gaus moved his ice business upstairs and was selling ice as late as 1905. Hertkorn moved out in 1884 and the meat market was closed in 1886. J. King sold shoes briefly in the Gaus Building from 1886-1895 followed by the J. Raub Saloon from 1897-1905. From 1906 to about 1925 Gaus sold patent medicines here with Frank McWethey as his superintendent and Frank took over the business in 1925 and moved it to South Jefferson Street in 1932. After a couple years of vacancy, the Monteese Hat Shop moved to the Gaus Building with Queen B’s Beauty Shop in the rear. Monteese was replaced by the Georgianna Hat Shop in 1937 and the Irene Powers Apparel Shop shared half the store from 1937-1939 when Georgianna moved out Powers took over the whole store. In 1977 the Square Nail opened for business and moved out the same year. The National Bank of Marshall opened for business in 1978 changing to Chemical Bank of Marshall in 1981. Years later, after Chemical bank moved locations, Nulu Bicycle Shop moved in for business briefly. In 2020, a winery called Sage Creek Winery started at this location but soon operated under new ownership as Twisted Rivers Winery.
Originally part of the old Erginsinger Building which was built in 1846 this front was occupied by several barbers, namely J.H. Clark in 1857, Longsworth in 1863, and Hart in 1869. In 1876 Henry and Thomas Cronin built the brick block building that is still in existence. The eastern part was occupied by Merrills, 1877-1882, who operated a millenary shop. She was succeeded by Timothy Shanahan Clothing 1883-1903 who sold shoes and operated a tailor shop. Shanahan was a long term Marshall merchant who was in business on State Street (MI Ave) from 1876-1912. Shanahan was succeeded by Hughes and Holmes Clothing Store in 1903, Coleman Clothing in 1911, Yoffee Dry Goods in 1923, D & C Stores in 1928, Elsie’s Café in 1935, Lynn’s Café in 1946, Roger’s Café in 1947, Gittlman’s in 1950 and Home Hayden’s in 1954. Wolf’s Floor Covering was located here from 1957 to 1966 and then moved locations. Margaret Currie’s Yarn & Fabric Shop opened for business in 1970 and Darling’s took over in 1977. Doctor George Gesner was located on the second floor from 1908-1935. He was the president of the draft board during the First World War. Schlotsky’s Deli moved into this location later in the 2000s and is the present day location of El Tajin Mexican Restaurant.
