Ionia Downtown Commercial Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Ionia Downtown Commercial Historic District
|
|
West Main between Steele and Dexter, looking east
|
|
 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Roughly W. Main and Washington Sts., from Dexter to Library Sts., Ionia, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Area | 18 acres (7.3 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Italianate, Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001437 |
| Added to NRHP | September 13, 1984 |
The Ionia Downtown Commercial Historic District is a special area in Ionia, Michigan. It's mostly filled with old shops and businesses. This historic district is found along West Main and Washington Streets, stretching from Dexter Street to Library Street. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 because of its important history and buildings.
Contents
Exploring Ionia's Early Days
Ionia was first settled in 1833 by a man named Samuel Dexter. He brought about 63 people from New York to start a new life here. With help from the local Ojibwe people, they cleared land and built log cabins. Soon, they had a sawmill, which was very important for building.
How Ionia Grew Over Time
More businesses quickly opened up in Ionia. By the late 1830s, there was a furniture factory and even a brewery. In 1835 or 1836, Ionia became the official county seat. This meant it was the main town for the county's government. A federal land office also opened in 1836. These new developments helped more hotels and stores open, making the community grow even bigger.
The village of Ionia was first mapped out in 1841. This map included the area that is now the historic commercial district. The oldest building in this district, the St. John's parish house, was built around this time.
The Railroad's Big Impact
In 1859, the railroad finally reached Ionia. This was a huge deal! It made it much easier to transport goods and people. The demand for Ionia sandstone, a local building material, increased a lot. By the 1870s, there were eight hotels in the city, ready for all the travelers arriving by train. Many of the buildings you see in the district today were built during this busy time as Ionia continued to grow.
What Makes the District Special?
The Ionia Downtown Commercial Historic District covers most of Ionia's main business area. It includes 85 buildings, and 70 of them are considered important to the district's history. Most of these buildings are commercial, meaning they were used for shops or businesses. However, there are also some homes, churches, and government buildings.
Buildings and Their Styles
The commercial buildings in the district stand close together, right on the sidewalk. They are usually two or three stories tall. Most are made of red brick or local sandstone.
The east end of the district has many important public buildings. These include the county courthouse, city hall, post office, and several churches. All these buildings are special because of their architecture and history.
Notable Buildings to See
Here are some of the most interesting buildings in the district:
- The Ionia Armory (439 W. Main): This two-story red brick building was built in 1908-09. It looks like an old English castle with its unique style and arched designs. It even has a small turret window on the corner.
- Commercial Buildings (409, 411, and 413 West Main Street): These three buildings were built in the late 1880s or early 1890s. They show off the Italianate architecture style. Even though each one is different, they all still have much of their original cast-iron storefronts.
- Commercial Building (340 West Main Street): This two-story building from about 1890 stands out with its beautiful pink Ionia sandstone front.
- Italianate Commercial Block (332-336 West Main Street): Built around 1885, this two-story building has three storefronts. It features buff-colored brick, a metal cornice, and fancy metal designs above the windows.
- The Silver-Graff Building (313-317 W. Main): This building was constructed in 1894. It has a unique stone front and two bay windows on the second floor. These windows rise into cool octagonal towers with bell-shaped roofs! The windows, towers, and decorative parts are all made of metal.
- The Ionia County National Bank Building (302 W. Main): Built in 1914, this two-story building has a grand Neoclassical architecture style. It features tall limestone columns and a large triangular top, like an ancient Greek temple.
- St. John's Episcopal Church (120 N. Kidd): This church, built in 1882, is a great example of Victorian Gothic style. It has a square tower and interesting Victorian details.
- The Ionia County Courthouse (100 W. Main): This impressive building from 1885 is made of Ionia sandstone. It's so important that it's also listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places.
