 |
 |
 |
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
 |
|
|
|
Village History III
The Entenmans also bought the building that is now the Millhouse Bed and Breakfast. It was built about 1900 as a flour mill, but by 1975 it had become a duplex. They stripped the siding and renovated the interior. The change in appearance was dramatic! A lampshade business was the first occupant after the renovation. The Entenmans then lived there until they completed the renovation of the "grey house" across the street. The "grey house" now stands as a perfectly restored Victorian wonder with an English tea garden in the rear. It is true we have become a tourist town, but our service area
remains. We Our community is growing. New houses seem to spring up overnight. Even so, Grand Rapids has kept its beauty and allure. When God decided to create a special place for people to enjoy, he named it Gilead. When the people of Gilead decided to re-dedicate that special place, they named it after a place in nature, the Grand Rapids. |
In 1975 Audrey and Don Entenman bought the old Evans Hardware Store
and Audrey opened the Old Gilead Country Store. They also bought
other buildings on the south side of Front Street. The restoration
of the village as we know it now had begun. The Entenmans hired a young man to run an ice cream shop. He bought Funk's Saloon across
the street and on January 3, 1977, opened the restaurant we know as
LaRoe's.
have a drug store, doctor, dentist, gas stations,
grocery store, bank, fire department, restaurants, jewelry shops,
antique and furniture stores, general store, ice cream shops, gift
and collectible stores, light industry, and an elder care center.
We also have the Bluebird Passenger Train and the Volunteer, a canal
boat at Providence Metropark that takes people on trips on the old canal
system. Perhaps our greatest gift of all is the beauty of the
canal and THE RIVER itself.