East Saginaw Historic Business District facts for kids
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East Saginaw Historic Business District
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Saginaw Club
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Federal, N. Water, N. Washington, and N. Franklin Sts., Saginaw, Michigan |
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| Area | 6.7 acres (2.7 ha) |
| Architect | multiple |
| Architectural style | Chicago, Late Victorian, Art Deco |
| MPS | Center Saginaw MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002867 84004137 (decrease) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 9, 1982 |
| Boundary decrease | April 26, 1984 |
The East Saginaw Historic Business District is a special area in Saginaw, Michigan. It's filled with old buildings that were once busy shops and businesses. This historic district is mainly found between Federal, North Water, North Washington, and North Franklin Streets. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, which means it's an important place to protect.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the District
How East Saginaw Began
The very first building in this area was a small cabin. It was used for fur trading and was located where Washington and Genesee Avenues meet today. This cabin was replaced by the Kirby House Hotel in 1854. A few years later, in 1858, the much larger Bancroft Hotel was built. This four-story hotel became a central spot for the growing community.
Growth and Change Over Time
By the 1880s, the Bancroft Hotel was surrounded by many commercial and industrial buildings. The area was bustling with activity. However, as the 1900s approached, the lumber business in Saginaw started to slow down. This caused the city's economy to struggle for a while.
A New Start for the District
Luckily, Saginaw bounced back in the early 1900s. A group of local business leaders helped make this happen. In 1915, they tore down the old Bancroft Hotel. They then built a brand new, modern hotel in its place. This new Bancroft Hotel once again became a key building for all the businesses nearby.
Recent Times and Renewal
By the late 1960s, the district became quieter. Many buildings weren't being used as much. But by the 1980s, people became interested in the area again. Many of the historic buildings started to be fixed up and used for new purposes.
What You'll See: Buildings and Styles
The East Saginaw Historic Business District has 16 important buildings. About half of these were built between 1870 and 1890. Most of the others were built later, from 1910 to 1930. These buildings show off many different architectural styles that were popular back then.
Cool Architectural Styles
You can see styles like Italianate, Queen Anne, and Art Deco. Each style has its own unique look.
Important Buildings to Know
Here are some of the most well-known buildings in the district:
- Eddy Building (1870) - You can find this at 100 North Washington. It's a four-story building made of stone. About 20 years after it was built, two more stories were added. It has a cool grey color and different window designs.
- Saginaw Club (1889) - Located at 219 North Washington. This club was started by important businessmen in 1889. They built this three-story clubhouse close to their homes.
- Bancroft Hotel (1915) - This hotel is at 107 South Washington. It's a big, six-story building made of reinforced concrete and brick. It was designed by a famous architectural firm from Chicago. The original hotel had 237 rooms, 14 suites, a restaurant, and even a roof garden! More parts were added to the building in the 1920s.
Gallery
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Temple Theater-Masonic temple
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"Place of the Sauk"
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Saginaw skyline
