Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

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PIONEER HISTORY OF INGLIAM COUNTY

Whew! In these days the city editor would say to the reporter,
"Whatcha mean!-'and lady?' " -State Journal.
TELLS OF OLD CAPITOL HALL, FIRST OF LANSING'S
BRICK TRADE BLOCKS.
Another Interesting Chapter of Pioneer History Given by Robt.
Edmonds.
With old Capitol Hall, hull down as the sailors would say, behind memory's horizon, there is little wonder that some of its
former aspects are slightly at variance in the memories of Lansing's old-timers.
Now here comes Robert G. Edmonds, of the J. W. Edmonds'
Sons store, on Washington Avenue, saying that he thinks O. H.
Loyd is mistaken with respect to what he terms "Chapman's
Hall." Mr. Edmonds thinks he has confused it with old Capitol
Hall which stood (and still stands in part) near where Mr. Loyd
ascribes the site of what he terms the "Chapman Hall."
Old Capitol Hall, which long antedated Mead's Hall, later the
Star Theater, recently told of by John Crotty, was within the
walls which now inclose the business places at 109 and 111 South
Washington Avenue.
This building, according to Mr. Edmonds, was the first brick
business block in what is now the down town part of Lansing. Indeed, he thinks it the second for Lansing in general, ascribing
first place in this respect to the old Benton House, afterward known
as the Everett House, the old brick tavern of territorial days, which
stood approximately where the residence of Ransom E. Olds now
stands.
BEFORE His DAY.
Mr. Edmonds is willing to admit that he did not live in the
heydey of Capitol Hall, but was born of parents who were here
then. He seems to regard those who came here some time during
the '70's as late comers to Lansing. Capitol Hall, he says,
was the great rallying place for the patriotic in Civil War days.
Its stage was at the east end of the room and there was a gallery