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List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Bay County facts for kids

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Map of Michigan highlighting Bay County
Location of Bay County in Michigan

Have you ever wondered about the old buildings and places in your town? Some of them are really special because they tell us stories about the past! In Bay County, Michigan, there are many such places called Michigan State Historic Sites. These are locations that the state of Michigan has officially recognized as important because of their history.

Think of them like treasures that help us learn about how people lived, worked, and built things a long time ago. Some of these sites are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are important to the whole country, not just Michigan! If you see a little cross symbol (†) next to a site's name, it means it's on both lists.

Let's explore some of these cool historic spots in Bay County!

Historic Places in Bay County

Buildings and Homes with Stories

Many historic sites are old buildings that were once homes, schools, or important offices. They show us how people lived and worked in the past.

  • Bangor Township District School No. 1
    • Location: NW corner of Old Kawkawlin and Wheeler roads, Bay City (near Kawkawlin)
    • Listed: November 21, 1991
    • This old schoolhouse reminds us how kids used to learn in a single classroom with students of all ages together.
  • Bay City City Hall
    • Location: 301 Washington Street, Bay City
    • Listed: April 5, 1974
    • This grand building has been the center of local government for many years, where important decisions for the city are made.
  • Calvin and Elizabeth Chillson House
    • Location: 300 Midland Street, Bay City
    • Listed: July 17, 1997
    • This house is a great example of the homes people lived in during a specific time in history.
  • Tromble House
    • Location: Veterans Memorial Park (114, 116, and 118 Webster Street), Bay City
    • Listed: August 13, 1971
    • The Tromble House is one of the oldest buildings in Bay City, showing us what early homes looked like.

Places of Worship

Churches and other places of worship often have long histories and beautiful architecture.

  • Covenant Presbyterian Church
    • Location: 1001 N Lynn Street, Bay City
    • Listed: May 18, 1989
    • This church has been a spiritual home for many people in Bay City for decades.
  • First Presbyterian Church
    • Location: 805 Center Avenue, Bay City
    • Listed: August 17, 2000
    • Another significant church building that has served the community for a long time.
  • Ogaukawning Church
    • Location: Hidden Road at North Euclid Road, Bay City
    • Listed: June 30, 1988
    • This church has a unique history and is an important part of the area's heritage.
  • Saint Joseph Catholic Church
    • Location: 1005 Third Street, Bay City
    • Listed: May 25, 2000
    • St Joseph Catholic Church (Bay City, MI)
      St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bay City, MI
    • This church is known for its beautiful design and long history in the community.
  • Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and Cemetery
    • Location: 6100 Saginaw Road, Bay City
    • Listed: June 5, 1997
    • This site includes both a historic church and its cemetery, telling stories of the people who lived here.
  • Saint Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church
    • Location: 1503 Kosciuszko, Suite #100, Bay City
    • Listed: January 17, 1991
    • This church is a landmark for its architectural style and its role in the local community.
  • Thoburn United Methodist Church
    • Location: 1301 Leng St, Bay City, MI 48706
    • Listed: April 28, 1987
    • A historic church that has been a place of worship and community gathering for many years.
  • Trinity Episcopal Church and Eddy-Shearer Residence
    • Location: 911 Center Avenue, Bay City
    • Listed: January 8, 1981
    • This site includes a historic church and a nearby residence, showing the development of the area.

Important Districts and Areas

Sometimes, a whole group of buildings or an area is considered historic because they share a common past or architectural style.

  • Center Avenue Neighborhood Residential District
    • Location: Roughly bounded by Green and North Madison avenues, Fifth and Sixth streets, Bay City
    • Listed: December 14, 1976
    • This area has many old homes that show how people lived and built houses in the past. It's like stepping back in time!
  • Midland Street Commercial District
    • Location: 500-800 blocks of Midland Street, Bay City
    • Listed: March 16, 1995
    • This part of Midland Street was once a busy shopping and business area. The buildings here show what commercial streets looked like long ago.

Sites Related to Industry and Transportation

Bay County has a rich history tied to industries like shipping and sugar production, and important transportation hubs.

  • Davidson Shipyard
    • Location: 800 John F. Kennedy Drive, Bay City
    • Listed: August 6, 1976
    • This shipyard was a very important place where many ships were built, helping Bay City become a major port.
  • Pere Marquette Railroad Depot (Bay City Station)
    • Location: 919 Boutell Place, Bay City
    • Listed: June 10, 1980
    • This old train station was once a bustling place where people traveled and goods were shipped. It's a reminder of the age of railroads.
  • Sugar Factories
    • Location: Woodside Avenue at Scheurman Street, Essexville
    • Listed: December 10, 1971
    • Bay County was famous for its sugar beet industry. These factories were where sugar was made, which was a big deal for the local economy.

Other Notable Historic Sites

  • James Clements Airport Administration Building
    • Location: 614 South River Road, Bay City
    • Listed: April 21, 1980
    • This building was part of an early airport, showing the history of flight in the area.
  • Pine Grove Cemetery
    • Location: 4495 Eleven Mile Road, NW corner of Eleven Mile and North Union roads, Auburn
    • Listed: October 12, 1990
    • Cemeteries are often historic sites because they contain the graves of important people and show how burial practices have changed over time.
  • Sage Library
    • Location: 100 East Midland Street, east of Winona Avenue, Bay City
    • Listed: January 29, 1979
    • This beautiful old library has been a place of learning and reading for generations of Bay City residents.

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List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Bay County Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.