J.J. Deal and Son Carriage Factory

History

Jacob J. Deal was a blacksmith who moved to Jonesville, Michigan in 1857. Once he relocated to Jonesville, Michigan Mr. Deal began to manufacture a small number of lumber and heavy wagons. Mr. Deal then sold his blacksmith shop in 1865 and erected two small buildings across the street which later would become his factory and began manufacturing wagons and carriages. As the business grew he enlarged the plant from time to time and in 1890 he erected the factory which stands today and employed over 100 men at the time. The current factory structure was built in portions from 1893 to 1909. In 1891, Jacob Deal's son George became a partner and the company was renamed J.J. Deal and Son. George was made manager at this time and was a busy and curious businessman.

In 1908, the company later began assembling automobiles. They were called Autobuggies at the time and then the company was reorganized under the name of the Deal Buggy Company. In 1910, the number of workers had increased to 140 at the height of production. Several models of the Deal Automobile were manufactured from 1908 until 1911 and their cost ranged from about $950 to $1,250. The company went out of business in 1915.

In 1922, the Universal Body Company took over the entire complex where they manufactured motor bus bodies. In 1927, the Kiddie Brush & Toy Company took over the factory. Kiddie Brush & Toy made children's housekeeping toys that were sold under the Susy Goose name. In 1949, they started making plastic injection molded toys and then in the 1960s made Barbie and Ken furniture and accessories for Mattel. In 1967, the company moved its headquarters to Edon, Ohio. In 1972, the J.R. Headers Company moved into the space but only for a short time until 1976 when they moved out.

Over the next 40 years, the building stood underutilized or vacant until 2014, when the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) approved a tax credit application by Excel-Sterling LDHA LP to provide Section 42 tax credits for the re-development of the building.

Construction thereafter started in 2015 with the building being name the Heritage Lane Apartments to ultimately provide residential living for 44 families. Construction on the building was completed in July 2016 and was developed by Beachwood, Ohio development company Excel Realty Group led by Peter Jobson. The re-developed building stands in the middle of the City of Jonesville's downtown and constitutes the foremost reminder of the city's origin and history.

Construction financing was provided by JP Morgan Chase. Permanent financing by Bonneville Mortgage Company, Inc. Tax credit equity financing was provided by Redstone Equities LLC.

The building's redevelopment into 44 one and two bedroom apartments using Section 42 housing tax credits and the Federal Historic Rehabilitation Credit will provide residents with an elevator serving all 4 floors, a computer room, management and maintenance offices, a resident library and historic interior décor. An original JJ Deal Buggy built in the 1890s stands in the building's lobby.

All re-development work has been done in accordance with the National Park Service guidelines for historic rehabilitation. The building will retain its historic character which includes the beams and connection plates of the internal structure, its "mill style" external brick walls and structure, its large loft style spaces and 9' x 4' windows. A Michigan historic marker stands at the edge of the Heritage Lane property and identifies the building and its historical context.

Description

The J.J. Deal and Son Carriage Factory is a four-story brick building. It is representative of late 19th century mill and factory buildings constructed in Michigan and across the United States.