North Main Animal Hospital has been a vital part of the community, serving Royal Oak for nearly 70 years. Located at 1611 North Main Street just south of 12 Mile, the practice was originally called Caswell Animal Hospital and Caswell Pet Clinic, run by Dr. Don Caswell starting in 1942.

The original building was constructed in 1929 and served as a waiting room for the Royal Oak streetcar line, which traveled up Main Street to 12 Mile Road. Later, it became Bush Manufacturing Co. during World War II, before Dr. Caswell purchased and converted it into an animal hospital.

In 1951, Dr. Don Francisco took over the practice and renamed it North Main Animal Hospital. A longtime neighbor was Shorty’s Auto Parts, which was probably a familiar sight (or maybe an eyesore) to longtime Royal Oak residents.

Shorty’s actually existed before the animal hospital. From the early days of the animal hospital, there was a small cottage on the property west of the main building that hospital personnel could use in a pinch. (See top photo). An addition to the animal hospital in 1994 necessitated the removal of the cottage.

North Main Animal Hospital has a long history of its doctors staying with the practice for many years. The founder, Dr. Francisco, served from 1951 until his retirement in the early 1980s. His original partner, Dr. Gerald Ricketts, was with the hospital from 1964 to 1987. Dr. Bruce Baker joined the hospital in 1973 and remained actively involved for an impressive 50 years, retiring in 2023. Dr. Jim Mast, who was a partner of Dr. Baker, initially worked at North Main while still in high school. After college, Dr. Mast joined the staff full-time in 1987 and retired in 2020.

The hospital currently employs four veterinarians: Dr. April Simms, Dr. Jessica Fattal-Stebbins, Dr. Priscilla Koehler, and Dr. Precious Bagdonas-Bailey, who recently joined the practice.

The top photo, taken in 1951, shows the hospital just before it became North Main. The sign for Shorty’s Auto Parts is visible just past the white picket fence to the left of the hospital. The small cottage that remained until 1994 is located to the right.

Please visit and support the Royal Oak Historical Museum at 1411 W. Webster Road in Royal Oak. For more information visit royaloakhistoricalsociety.com or call (248) 439-1501. Hours are 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.