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The History of the Pump House Grille
In 1860 The Pump House Grille was two of twelve merchant establishments being built by entrepreneur A.H. Morrison and they would become known as the Morrison Block. This 200 block on the West Side of State Street still exists today. Front facades, that were changed possible every twenty years, mask the building's true age. Obscure clues foretell their original Greek revival and mid 1800's Italianate charm. Inside tin ceilings, tongued beaded sheathing and six-inch square beams sporting square nail heads can be ferreted out. In the Pump House second floor brick walls are cut off beams from the original Greek revival ceiling that was raised later to the more fashionable Italianate height. Stroll the alley and you will see the original Greek revival six on six pane windows and high threshold double shipping delivery doors. At the second story level there is another shipping delivery door where goods were probably hoisted up by pulley.
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At age sixteen Alexander Hamilton Morrison moved to Chicago to seek his fortune. Three years later he was in business as a merchant and contractor. Alexander moved to St. Joseph in 1850 at the age of 28 and started his long business career. This made him one of the most influential St. Joseph businessmen in the last half of the 19th century. His career spanned the construction of railroads, shipping docks, factories, and city business buildings. He managed all of these enterprises as well as insurance agencies and mercantiles. The Morrison wooden-ware manufacturing produced tubs, pails, clothes pins, handles, etc. and Morrison Paper Pails made from straw and hay pulp. He is credited with constructing and managing the Chicago and Michigan Lakeshore Railroad that traveled Lake Michigan's Eastern shore. His tub and pail factory stood on Morrison Channel (named after him) and later became Truscott Boat Company. Alexander was also engaged in government, holding posts in county, state legislator, both House and Senate and the Governor's staff for seven years.
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