Marshall Street Historic District (Allegan, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Marshall Street Historic District
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 231-237, 335-705, 232-630 Marshall St., Allegan, Michigan |
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| Area | 37.4 acres (15.1 ha) |
| Built | 1836 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian |
| MPS | Allegan MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000256 |
| Added to NRHP | March 12, 1987 |
The Marshall Street Historic District is a special neighborhood in Allegan, Michigan. It's a place where many old homes have been saved because they are important to history. This area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. This means it's recognized as a significant historic site in the United States.
Contents
Exploring Marshall Street's Historic Homes
The Marshall Street Historic District covers about seven city blocks. It has 57 buildings, and almost all of them are important to the district's history. These homes show off many different building styles.
Architectural Styles You Can See
The houses here were built in various architectural styles. This means they have different designs and looks. You can find homes built in styles like:
- Bungalow
- Queen Anne
- Italianate
- Colonial Revival
- Dutch Colonial Revival
- American Foursquare
- Greek Revival
Most of these houses are made of wood and covered with clapboard, which are long, thin boards. But you can also see some houses made of brick or other materials.
A Look Back at Marshall Street's Past
Marshall Street has a long and interesting history. It started as an old Native American trail.
From Trail to Plank Road
When the town of Allegan was founded in the 1830s, this trail was measured and made better for travel. By 1852, more and more people were using the road. So, a special "plank road" was built. This was a road made from wooden planks, like a wooden highway!
Early Homes and Growth
As Allegan grew, people started building their homes along Marshall Street. The very first buildings in this area were put up in the 1860s. Some were even moved here from other places.
In 1869, a man named Alby Rossman built his house at 524 Marshall Street. He also planned out the land around his home, calling it the "Rossman Addition." His house is like the center point of the historic district. After Rossman built his home, many more houses were built on Marshall Street. Both wealthy families and middle-class families built homes here after the American Civil War.
Later Developments and New Styles
Allegan's growth slowed down a bit in the late 1800s. Not many houses were built in the 1880s or 1890s. But after the year 1900, construction picked up again. More houses were built, adding to the neighborhood.
In 1890, the "John Robinson Hospital" was built at the south end of the district. Today, this building is known as the Elks Club. Later, in the 1910s and 1920s, many bungalow-style homes were added to the district. These homes are known for their cozy, practical designs.
