The building known today as the Crofoot, located at 1 S. Saginaw St. in downtown Pontiac, was built in 1830 and stands at the city’s first commercial corner. Historically, the business district of Pontiac was centered at the intersection of Pike and Saginaw. On April 30, 1840, most of Pontiac’s commercial district went up in flames. Only the buildings south of Pike St. survived, including the Crofoot.

In response to this devastating fire, all new buildings were built of masonry construction, and many of the surviving structures were rebuilt with masonry as well. In 1882 Michael E. Crofoot rebuilt his building using the existing foundation, floors, and some of the original walls. Over the years the Crofoot Building, also known as the Crofoot Block, has served as the location for many of downtown Pontiac’s prominent businesses and retail shops, surviving the remodeling boom of the 1920s and even the wrecking ball of urban renewal in the 1970s.

Today, the Crofoot is the oldest commercial building in downtown Pontiac and is home to the Crofoot Ballroom (a unique 1,000-person live venue), the Pike Room (a more intimate 250-person live venue), and the Crofoot Café and the Vernors Grill, small bars where food is served. There is also a second-floor outdoor patio area.

“I think that there is something special about using old buildings. It gives us a sense of time ... a sense of belonging,” says Blair McGowan, developer and owner of the Crofoot. “We’ve created a musical venue and people are going to play music and other people are going to come and experience music. And a lot can happen during this very creative experience. People derive inspiration and spirituality from today’s modern prophets, poets, and songwriters.”

The number of multiuse buildings like the Crofoot is skyrocketing, especially in downtown areas where there are lots of grand old buildings just waiting for passionate developers like McGowan to bring them back to life. And the Crofoot is very much alive.