Thomas Jefferson Ramsdell

Until 1866, there was no bridge across the river in downtown Manistee. That made it necessary for anyone who wanted to cross to hire a boat and boatman. Ramsdell, along with several of the local lumbermen of the Manistee area, formed a private corporation which built a wooden turn bridge at the Maple Street crossing. Tolls were charged allowing the investors a return on their money. The wooden bridge was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1871.[3]

In 1867, Ramsdell joined in partnership with E. E. Benedict. Ramsdell and Benedict was a prominent law firm in Manistee and won most cases in court.[5] This partnership continued until the retirement of both parties from active law practice in 1897.[3] Ramsdell opened the first Manistee hardware store and helped produce the first local newspaper.[6] He also founded the First National Bank in Manistee along with others. Ramsdell developed and founded the Manistee Water Works utility. He was also the contractor for the original school house on the corner of Oak and First Street.[3]

Around 1879, Ramsdell began investing in commercial real estate. He reportedly made his first investment in real estate by trading his horse and cutter to a local Manistee person by the name of Delos L. Filer.[1] He traded these objects for 40 acres (160,000 m²) in the southwest part of Manistee.[3]

Ramsdell invested in many commercial blocks of downtown Manistee, and his own residence was located there. His first major commercial construction project was a large building on the southeast corner of River and Maple Street known as the Ramsdell Building.[7] He also built the commercial block at River Street and Oak Street, as well as the adjacent block.[3]

Over the years many public places in Manistee were used for entertainment of the local people. In 1883, the Scandinavian Society built a building at First and Greenbush streets that met the theatre needs of the people of Manistee. On December 17, 1900, it burned down.[8] The Manistee Daily News for November 22 of the following year spoke of the need of Manistee for a new theater. The article spoke of the lack of entertainment because of what had happened the previous year. It suggested some temporary arrangements until a permanent structure could be built. Eleven days later, Ramsdell stepped up to the calling and announced that he would build a new opera house at First Street and Maple Street. It took two years but the Ramsdell Theatre was finally finished in 1903.[9] It still serves western northern Michigan today as a monument to one of Manistee's pioneers. In this theater James Earl Jones (then known as Todd Jones) began his theatrical career.[10]

Ramsdell's residence was constructed in 1875 at the corner of Eighth Street and Cedar Street. It was on a 60-foot (18 m) wide street fronting east.[5] It no longer exists since being destroyed by fire in 1929 of unknown causes.[11] The main structure was 40 feet (12 m) by 69 feet (21 m) and had a wing 22 feet (6.7 m) by 34 feet (10 m). It had a cellar under the main building and a wing of five rooms. The entrance was from the east and you came in through a vestibule which was laid with tile stone of various colors. On the northeast side of the vestibule was a veranda. From the vestibule you entered a 12-foot (3.7 m) by 32-foot (9.8 m) hall. There was a winding staircase that went up to the next floor level. On the north side of the hall was parlor with a bay window. South of the hall was a library. Adjoining the library was the master bedroom. From the master bedroom bathroom was connected a conservatory. The second story contained a sitting room and five additional bedrooms. From the second story was a winding staircase to the third story which had a ball room, a room with lounge furniture, and Centennial room. The ball room was square with 40 feet (12 m) on each side and used as a social center. From the third story was a staircase to a tower twelve feet on each side and two stories high. From here was a wide angle view of the downtown district of Manistee. The house was built of pressed Milwaukee brick and had a mansard roof. Ramsdell's residence was lite with gas.[12][13]