The Charles Palmer House, 1890

Wikipedia entry:
Imlay City was founded on April 1, 1850. Charles Palmer, the chief engineer of the Port Huron and Lake Michigan Railroad, bought 240 acres of land along the railroad's route at a location he anticipated would be a likely produce center between the towns of Capac and Lapeer.[6] Palmer named the city for the Connecticut-based capitalist William H. Imlay, who had invested heavily in the region after moving there in 1828.[6] Within a year and a half, the newly established city had attracted 500 residents with over 120 buildings including two hotels, 20 stores and a school.[7]