Lansing's First Department Store: 1891-1972

Most Lansing residents are familiar with the old Knapp's building, and many old-timers recall what it was like shopping there.....but Knapp's was not Lansing's first department store. That honor goes to Arbaugh's.

Located at 401 S. Washington, it was founded in 1891 by J.M. Cameron.

Cameron's nephew Basil, an assistant at the store, had an old college roommate, Frank N. Arbaugh, who moved to Lansing and began working at the store. The following year, Cameron sold his share to Arbaugh. Instantly, the store was known as Cameron & Arbaugh.

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The location of this original store is lost, but in 1902 they bought the lot on the corner of S. Washington and E. Kalamazoo. In 1904, the house on that corner was moved and in 1905 construction began on a new building, finally opening in October.

In 1909, Arbaugh bought Basil's remaining share and from then on the business was known as Arbaugh's.

An addition was built on in 1915, making it twice the size. The store lasted a good many years until 1953 when Arbaugh sold it to another company. Arbaugh quit the store and passed away in 1955, but the store remained known as Arbaugh's until 1969 when the name was changed to Wurzburg's. It finally closed in 1972.

In 1974 the building was sold and was used for offices. In 2004 it was used as an apartment and office building and in 2007 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.