115 E Michigan Ave
This site has long been a cornerstone of Grass Lake’s financial and community history. Before the bank was built, the Calley Building stood here until it was torn down in 1915 to make way for a new bank. Originally known as the Farmers Bank of Grass Lake, it was located next to the old Grass Shack before moving across the street, where it became Farmers State Bank.
Constructed in 1916, the building still bears traces of its past. If you look above the entrance, the words Farmers State Bank remain etched in the concrete. For over a century, it has served as a financial institution, standing as a symbol of economic stability in Grass Lake.
The 1920 Bank Robbery
On the morning of July 29, 1920, the bank was the target of a daring robbery. A gang of six robbers, who had been posing as fishermen while staying at the Mack Island Hotel on Wolf Lake, stormed the bank and stole nearly $70,000 in cash, gold, and bonds. They packed the stolen money into tackle boxes and tied up bank employees using fishing line.
The close-knit community of Grass Lake quickly raised the alarm about the suspicious visitors. A dramatic shootout followed at the Mack Island Hotel, during which Under-Sheriff Harry Worden stepped in to lead the response, as the sheriff was out of town. Worden, who owned Worden Bakery next door to the bank, played a crucial role in the pursuit.
Days later, authorities tracked the robbers to a tenant’s house near Butterfield’s Landing on Wolf Lake. When Worden knocked on the door, the outlaws, spooked by the sudden arrival, fired through the closed door, killing him. Despite their capture, none of the robbers ever admitted who pulled the trigger.
The Missing Loot
Reports indicate that more than $12,000 in currency and $25,000 in Liberty bonds were recovered. However, rumors persist that up to $400 in gold remains buried on Mack Island. Additionally, $900 in silver coins was never recovered—some believe it was discarded for being too heavy to carry. Local legend suggests that a large portion of the stolen money could still be hidden deep in the surrounding swamps.
Though the robbery left a tragic mark on the town’s history, the bank remained resilient, continuing to serve the Grass Lake community for generations.