Thomas J. Ramsdell invested in this distinguished Richardsonian Romanesque bank and office building. In quality of design, workmanship, and materials, it is comparable to the Marquette County Savings Bank (
MQ6) but scaled to the economy of Manistee. A round tower, its conical roof now gone, rises at the corner of the building, curiously supported by a squat, polished granite Romanesque column. A broad Richardsonian arch and a pedimented square opening supported by polished granite Romanesque piers give access to the building from Maple and River streets, respectively. The exterior walls are randomly coursed, rock-faced gray granite for the ground floor and brick trimmed with red sandstone and terra-cotta above. The building held the Manistee County Savings Bank (organized in 1891), law offices, and a drugstore. Since renovation in 2003 the upper rooms have served as the Ramsdell Inn.
Ramsdell Building
1891, Frederick W. Hollister. 399 River St.