The Harlow Block is a straightforward commercial design by a local stonemason and builder. Constructed of plain variegated Marquette brownstone, locally called “raindrop” for its purplish-brown iridescence, it is a rather heavy-handed version of the Italianate style that marked Main Street America during the 1860s and 1870s. Amos R. Harlow (1815–1890), a founder of Marquette, was admired for his real estate developments that built up and improved the city and afforded employment. He built the block as speculative office and store space. It gave tenants a good address in a substantial building located in the heart of the downtown business district.