IN REMEBRANCE OF THE HISTORIC LINDEN UNION BLOCK BUILDING!!
Our beautiful Union Block Building, before the fire!!! 
The Union Block on May 18, 2007. 
THE DAY AFTER THE FIRE!.jpg)
On the night of May 18, 2007, the 137 year-old historic, Union Block Building was destroyed by fire. The town was devastasted and the face of Linden, Michigan was changed forever. It was Linden's most well-known landmark, and loved by all!! After the fire, building restoration experts agreed that the facade/front of the building could be saved and the building restored, but it would be costly. A decision was made to demolish the remains and it was sadly razed in July of 2007. A vacant lot now sits at the corner of Bridge & Broad Streets in downtown Linden, where the majestic red giant, once stood. We lost a valuable piece of history that night, that can never be replaced. Although, it is gone...it will NEVER be forgotten! Thanks for the memories, Union Block. We miss you!
(after weeks of investigations, but not the cause, fortunately NO lives were lost during this tragic event)
(This is the empty lot where the Union Block once stood. This picture was taken from the same spot (in front of City Hall) as the first picture at the top of this webpage. Note the street light at the corner, in BOTH pictures for a proper perspective.)
NOVEMBER 2008 - THE FORMER UNION BLOCK PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD TO THE LAFONTAINE'S, AND DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW BUILDING WILL TAKE PLACE IN 2-5 YEARS!!!!! THANK YOU LAFONTAINES FOR BELIEVING IN LINDEN!!!!! (SEE BELOW)
LONG-AWAITED UNION BLOCK PROPERTY PURCHASE ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!
The suspense is over!! A press conference was held in downtown Linden on the former Union Block site, November 3rd, to formally announce the sale of the property. The new owners are Sarah Starrs-LaFontaine, Ryan La Fontaine, & Mike LaFontaine!! It was a joyous, festive occasion complete with the Linden marching band, residents, business owners, Linden Mills Historical Society members, City officials and other dignitaries, and of course, the proud new owners of the historic Linden land. (The LaFontaines have several car dealerships in the metro-Detroit area and ties to Linden.) It could take 2-5 years to develop the property and the LaFontaine's will be talking to the community to see what they would like to have on the corner of Bridge & Broad Streets, for the next 100+ years. (The new building would have to go before the Linden Historic District Commission for approval) The revitalization of Linden has begun! Many thanks to the LaFontaine's for believing in Linden and for having faith in our town!!
(Mayor Lossing announcing the new owners)
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(Mayor Lossing, Mike La Fontaine Jr., Sarah Starrs-LaFontaine, & Ryan LaFontaine)
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(Senator John Gleason at podium).jpg)
(photos taken by Nettie Holtslander & Barbara Kincaid)
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Click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNG3qFx2qns & here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRuHxUv5O-A to view 2 impressive "You Tube" slideshow accounts of the Linden Fire.
(top photo by Ken Huisjen, from InfoMI.com) (Linden fire photo from WNEM TV5 website)
