GRAND RAPIDS, MI – It was just after Thanksgiving, and Grand Rapids locals were preparing to converge on Nov. 29, 1916, to watch escape artist Harry Houdini attempt to free himself from shackles and a straightjacket while dangling from a downtown Grand Rapids building.
At the time, the newly built structure at the northeast corner of Monroe Center and Ionia Avenue was known as the Grand Rapids Savings Bank.
Today, residents recognize it as the People’s Building at 60 Monroe Center NW. It now serves as an event space and community hub…