As part of the restoration of three adjoining historic buildings in downtown Vicksburg, Michigan, Allen Architectural Metals worked with the architect and design team to recreate architectural columns that had been missing from the façades.

With no original columns remaining to replicate directly, the new components were designed to reflect the buildings’ historic architecture. Allen Metals fabricated three round columns for 108 South Main Street and two square columns for 106 South Main Street using cast iron and fabricated steel.

The project involved nearly every Allen Metals department. Preconstruction produced the shop drawings, the pattern shop created custom patterns, the waterjet team cut the steel plate, and the fabrication and paint departments completed the assemblies and coating system. After installation, Allen Metals field personnel performed the final filler work and finish-coat application on site.

Dating to Vicksburg’s formative years, the buildings have housed dry-goods stores, pharmacies, grocery and clothing retailers, a dentist’s office, and meeting rooms for community and fraternal organizations. Their restoration preserves an important part of South Main Street while preparing the properties for their next chapter as historically styled gathering spaces.