If you think the back entrances to Main Street stores — the ones on Parker Harding Plaza — look bad today, be glad you were not around in the mid-1950s.
Before the parking lot was built, the Saugatuck River lapped up against those stores.
The landfill changed downtown — and the river. It must have been quite a project. Jim Ezzes shares some photos of the construction.
The Westport Hardware building at the far left is the current site of The Gap.
A bit further south.
Paul and Mary Kowalsky — whose construction company created Parker Harding Plaza — stand next to an earth mover.
Paul and Mary Kowalsky — whose construction company created Parker Harding Plaza — stand next to an earthmover.
Paul and Mary Kowalsky — whose construction company created Parker Harding Plaza — stand next to an earthmover.