National Register of Historic Places listings in Kent County, Michigan facts for kids
This page lists some really cool and important places in Kent County, Michigan! These places are special because they are on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are buildings, areas, or objects that are important to the history of the United States. They are protected so people can learn about them for many years to come.
Historic Places in Kent County
Amazing Bridges and Waterways
Kent County has some neat old bridges that are part of its history.
Ada Covered Bridge
The Ada Covered Bridge is a beautiful old wooden bridge. It crosses the Thornapple River in Ada. This bridge was built a long time ago and was added to the list of historic places on February 16, 1970. It's a great spot to visit and imagine what travel was like in the past!
Fallasburg Covered Bridge
Another fantastic covered bridge is the Fallasburg Covered Bridge in Lowell. It's located on Covered Bridge Road. This bridge became a historic place on March 16, 1972. It's part of the larger Fallasburg Historic District, which was recognized on March 31, 1999. This district includes the bridge and the area around it, showing how people lived and worked there long ago.
Plaster Creek Bridges
There are also a couple of bridges over Plaster Creek that were once historic. The Business Route M-21 – Plaster Creek Bridge in Wyoming was listed on December 17, 1999. The Division Avenue – Plaster Creek Bridge in Grand Rapids was also listed on the same day. However, the Division Avenue bridge was replaced in 2007, so it's no longer there.
Sixth Street Bridge
The Sixth Street Bridge in Grand Rapids is a very important bridge. It crosses the Grand River between Newberry and 6th Street. It was added to the list on August 13, 1976. This bridge is a great example of old engineering and connects different parts of the city.
Thornapple River Drive Bridge
The Thornapple River Drive Bridge in Cascade Township crosses the Thornapple River. It was listed on April 18, 1990. This bridge is another example of the important structures built to help people travel across the county.
Important Buildings in Grand Rapids
Many historic places are found in Grand Rapids, the largest city in Kent County. These buildings tell stories about how the city grew and changed.
Aldrich Buildings
The Aldrich Building at 98 Monroe Center, NW, was listed on November 12, 1982. Nearby, the Godfrey Aldrich and White Block at 89-99 Monroe Center was listed on January 27, 1999. These buildings show the early business and shopping areas of Grand Rapids.
Homes of Famous People
The Mathias Alten House and Studio at 1593 East Fulton Street was listed on June 23, 2009. Mathias Alten was a famous artist from Grand Rapids. His home and studio are important because they show where he lived and created his art.
The President Gerald R. Ford, Jr. Boyhood Home at 649 Union Avenue, SE, was listed on February 27, 1995. This was the childhood home of Gerald Ford, who later became the 38th President of the United States! It's a special place to learn about his early life.
The Augustus Paddock House at 1033 Lake Drive, SE, was listed on September 12, 1985. This house is a great example of the beautiful homes built in Grand Rapids long ago.
The Abram W. Pike House at 230 Fulton Street, E, was listed on July 8, 1970. This is another historic home that shows the architecture of the past.
Old Factories and Businesses
The American Seating Company Factory Complex at 801 Broadway Avenue, NW, was listed on July 25, 2003. This company made seats for schools, theaters, and other places. It was a big part of Grand Rapids' manufacturing history.
The Berkey and Gay Furniture Company Factory at 940 Monroe Avenue, NW, was listed on December 20, 2000. Grand Rapids was once known as "Furniture City," and this factory was a big part of that industry.
The Central Furniture Company – H. E. Shaw Furniture Company Factory at 400 Ionia Avenue, SW, was listed on December 24, 2013. This is another example of Grand Rapids' rich furniture-making past.
The Grand Rapids Cycle Company Factory at 514 Butterworth Street, SW, was listed on June 16, 2004. Sadly, this building was destroyed by fire in 2007.
The Grand Rapids Savings Bank Building at 60 Monroe Center, NW, was listed on December 28, 1990. This building shows the financial history of the city.
The Grand Rapids Storage and Van Company Building at 1415 Lake Drive, SE, was built in 1926 and listed on December 12, 2012. It's a cool example of old storage facilities.
The Metal Office Furniture Company (Steelcase) Plants No. 2 and 3 at 401 Hall Street, SW, were listed on July 17, 2004. Steelcase is a very famous company that makes office furniture, and these plants were important to their early history.
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The Michigan Trust Company Building at 40 Pearl Street, NW, was listed on February 24, 1983. This building is another example of Grand Rapids' historic financial district.
The Peck Block at 34-50 Monroe Center, NW, was listed on December 7, 2000. This building is part of the historic downtown area.
The Rood Building at 139 Pearl Street was listed on March 4, 1988. This building was home to E. A. Rood & Company, a china and glassware specialty store for many years.
The Willard Building at 150 E. Fulton Street was built in 1930 and listed on January 14, 2013. It's another important commercial building from Grand Rapids' past.
Schools and Public Buildings
The Eastern Avenue School at 758 Eastern Avenue, NE, was listed on September 4, 2013. Old schools like this are important because they show how education has changed over time.
The Lexington School at 45 Lexington Avenue, NW, was also listed on September 4, 2013.
The Monroe Avenue Water Filtration Plant at 1430 Monroe Avenue, NW, was listed on July 31, 2002. This plant was important for providing clean water to the city.
The U.S. Post Office at Ionia and Pearl Streets was listed on July 10, 1974. This building served as a central place for mail services for many years.
Churches and Clubs
The First (Park) Congregational Church at 10 E. Park Place, NE, was listed on November 12, 1982. This beautiful church has been a part of Grand Rapids for a long time.
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The Ladies' Literary Club at 61 Sheldon Street, SE, was listed on October 26, 1971. This club was important for women's education and social life in the past.
The St. Cecilia Society Building at 24-30 Ransom Avenue, NE, was listed on December 9, 1971. This building is known for its beautiful music hall and its role in the arts community.
The Third Reformed Church at 1009 Hermitage Street, SE, was listed on April 22, 1982. This church is another historic religious building in Grand Rapids.
Other Notable Grand Rapids Buildings
The Fine Arts Building at 220 Lyon Street, NW, was listed on November 12, 1982. This building likely played a role in the art and culture scene of Grand Rapids.
The Goodspeed Brothers Building at 188 Monroe Street, NW, was listed on April 17, 1980.
The Loraine Building at 124 E. Fulton Street was listed on November 24, 1982.
The Medical Arts Building at 26 Sheldon Boulevard, SE, was listed on May 18, 2000. This building was important for medical professionals in the city.
The Turner House at 731 Front Street, NW, was listed on July 8, 1970.
The Villa Maria at 1315 Walker NW, was listed on March 27, 1987.
Historic Districts in Grand Rapids
Historic districts are areas with many historic buildings that together tell a story about a neighborhood or part of a city.
Heartside Historic District
The Heartside Historic District includes streets like Division, Commerce, and Ionia Avenues, and Fulton, Weston, Oakes, and Cherry Streets. It was listed on March 2, 1982. This area was once a busy commercial and industrial part of Grand Rapids.
Heritage Hill Historic District
The Heritage Hill Historic District is a large and beautiful neighborhood. It's bounded by Michigan Avenue on the north, Pleasant Street on the south, Union Avenue on the east, and Clarendon Place and Jefferson Avenue on the west. It was listed on March 11, 1971. This district has many different styles of old homes and is a wonderful place to walk around and see historic architecture.
Ledyard Block Historic District
The Ledyard Block Historic District includes 123-145 Ottawa Avenue, and 104-124 Monroe Center, NW. It was listed on September 8, 1983. This district is another important part of Grand Rapids' downtown history.
Other Historic Places in Kent County
John W. Blodgett Estate
The John W. Blodgett Estate at 250 Plymouth Road, SE, in East Grand Rapids was listed on July 28, 1983. John W. Blodgett was an important businessman in the lumber industry.
Downtown Lowell Historic District
The Downtown Lowell Historic District is roughly along Main Street between Hudson and Washington in Lowell. It was listed on December 9, 1999. This district shows the historic center of the town of Lowell.
Graham House
The Graham House at 323-325 Main Street in Lowell was listed on January 13, 1972. This is another historic home in the Lowell area.
Mt. Mercy Academy and Convent
The Mt. Mercy Academy and Convent at 1425 Bridge Street, NW, in Grand Rapids was listed on August 5, 1993. This site was important for education and religious life.
Norton Mound Group
The Norton Mound Group is a very old and special place located between I-196 and Indian Mound Road in Grand Rapids. It was listed on October 15, 1966, and is even a National Historic Landmark! These mounds were built by ancient Native American people, and they are very important for understanding the history of the area.
Porter Hollow Embankment and Culvert
The Porter Hollow Embankment and Culvert is located on the White Pine Trail at Stegman Creek, west of Summit Avenue, in Algoma Township. It was listed on September 24, 2001. This is an example of historic railway engineering.
Whitney Tavern Stand
The Whitney Tavern Stand at 5283 Whitneyville Avenue in Cascade Township was listed on February 1, 2007. This old building was once a tavern, a place where travelers could stop for food and rest.
Kent County Civil War Monument
The Kent County Civil War Monument is located at Division Avenue at Monroe Avenue in Grand Rapids. It was listed on July 14, 2004. This monument honors the soldiers from Kent County who fought in the American Civil War.
Former Listing
Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the list. This usually happens if the building is destroyed or changed so much that it no longer has its historic value.
Grand Rapids City Hall
The Grand Rapids City Hall at 35 Lyon Street, NW, was once a historic place, listed in 1969. However, it was delisted in 1970 because it was demolished in December 1969.
