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CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT APPLICATION -- 1998 -0807 PROPERTY -- 12670 State-Road 23 Granger; IN OWNER -- Berkeley Corporation DESIGNATION -- LL RATING -- Outstanding 0113 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE /HISTORIC CONTEXT In 1 M. - Isaac Hathaway, of Cass County Mi.chigan, sold 72.07 acres of land - located in Section 18 of ;Harris Township to Daniel Follmer, a settler from Pennsylvania. Mr. Follmer sold the land to John Follmer in October of 1837, who built the house that same-year. Mr. John Follmer organized the first Township Board in April of 1853 and was elected its first chairman The- Township Board held its first meetings in Follmer's house. Mr. Follmer was also responsible for helping construct - the first school building in Harris Township in 1853 a -t-the corner of -Adams and Cherry Roads. After - the Civil War Mrs. Margaret Follmer,, wife of John, became Granger's first postmaster and established t first post office in her.home -in 1875. :Mr. Follmer died in - 1865 and firs. - rollmer passed away in 1906, at which time' the house' left to sirs. Folli'ne'r's brother, Mr. W. C. nownover. Mr. hownover took up where his sister 'Left off by becoming postmaster. His son Charles Frank took up the torch when his father retired and upon, C.F. Fo'llmers' death Mrs. Charles Frank (Nellie) hownover became postmistress - for twenty -five years, eventually selling the house in 1953 to W. Goff ., The house was used as the office of the Township Trustee and Assessor from 1966 to 1974, Mrs. James W. Goff was the elected official. The farmhouse and several' outbuildings were established as a Local Landmark in 1976. Mrs. Goff sold the house to Thomas A. Selsor in 1986. Mr-. Selsor, president of the Berkeley Corporation; intended to use the building to house a restaurant and shops. Around 1988, the Berkeley Corporation in conjunction with,Belinda'and Phil • Albert opened the Yesterday's Food & Spirits.restaurant, which the Berkeley Corporation - eventually sold to the Alberts, thus the continuity of ownership for the - collective farmyard buildings. At' the same time the overall legal description of the Landmark'was reduced from its original approximate 4.5 acres -to approximately 1.6 acres occupied by -two approximately equal lots, one with the house and another with the barn and other assorted outbuildings. PROPOSED CHANGE Applicant proposes to install'a nine foot tall business sign in front of the building.