Visitors to downtown Clawson can take a glimpse into the past while shopping for the home at Leon & Lulu, dining on Vietnamese at Da Nang or sipping suds at Black Lotus Brewery.
The history lessons come through a series of permanent markers erected in August to tell the story of Clawson's past and add an element of interest to the downtown center that conveys and old meets new appeal.
Seventeen History Walk plaques are spread through four sections of downtown, says Joan Horton, director of the Clawson Downtown Development Authority.
The DDA and the Clawson Historical Museum worked together on the project sponsored by Talmer Bank.
The object, says Horton, is for downtown visitors "to take a stroll to enjoy the downtown of today while learning about the one of the past."
The plaques are installed on posts along sidewalks and on buildings such as the Black Lotus Brewery (formerly the Clawson State Savings Bank), Leon & Lulu (where the Ambassador Roller Rink once operated), and the closed Clawson Theater, which is under renovation.
"Overall, using text and photos, they help to tell the story of Clawson -- the steam powered mill that was in the northeast corner, the interurban train, horses and cars sharing dirt roads downtown and on through to the process of paving in 1928 and glimpses of life into the 1950s," says Horton.
Printed rack cards showing marker locations are available at City Hall, the historical museum, the library, Black Lotus and Leon & Lulu.
Source: Joan Horton, director, Clawson Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Kim North Shine
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