National Register of Historic Places listings in Macomb County, Michigan facts for kids

Map highlighting Macomb County

Macomb County in Michigan is home to many amazing places with long and interesting histories. These special spots are called "Registered Historic Places." They are recognized by the United States government because they tell important stories about our past. From old cemeteries to famous houses and even a canal that was never finished, these places help us understand how people lived, worked, and built things many years ago. Let's explore some of these cool historic sites!

Exploring Macomb County's History

Clinton Grove Cemetery

The Clinton Grove Cemetery was started way back in 1855. It's a large, peaceful place that feels like a park. Many old and beautiful monuments from the 1800s and early 1900s can be found here. There's also a special office and chapel building, built in 1914, that looks like an old English house. This cemetery shows us how people honored their loved ones a long time ago.

Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal

Imagine a huge canal connecting two big rivers across Michigan! That was the dream for the Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal. Construction started in 1838, but it was a really tough job. Money ran out quickly, and work stopped in 1843. Only 13 miles were ever finished. Today, you can still see parts of this unfinished canal near Utica and Yates. It's a reminder of a big plan that didn't quite work out.

Erin-Warren Fractional District No. 2 Schoolhouse

This old schoolhouse, also known as the Halfway Schoolhouse, was built in 1872 in a village called Halfway (which is now Eastpointe). Can you believe it was moved twice? First, it became a warehouse. Then, in 1984, a historical society bought it and moved it back close to its original spot. Even after all that moving, the school still looks much like it did when students learned there over 150 years ago!

First Congregational Church (Richmond, Michigan)

Built in 1887, the First Congregational Church in Richmond is a beautiful old building. It has a special style called Gothic Revival, which was popular for churches back then. People used to come here for worship until 1973. Now, it's used by the Richmond Community Theatre. It's cool to see how old buildings can find new purposes and still be important to a community.

Edsel and Eleanor Ford House

The Edsel and Eleanor Ford House is a stunning mansion built on the shore of Lake St. Clair. Edsel Ford, the son of the famous Henry Ford, and his wife Eleanor, had it designed in 1926. They wanted it to look like the charming cottages they saw in England. It took three years to build and decorate! This house became a National Historic Landmark in 2016, meaning it's super important to American history.

General Motors Technical Center

The GM Tech Center in Warren is a huge and impressive place. It was designed by a famous architect named Eero Saarinen. Construction started in 1949 and finished in 1955. When it opened, it cost about $100 million! In 1986, it was even called the most amazing architectural project of its time. It's a place where many new ideas for cars and technology were born.

Grand Trunk Western Railroad, Mount Clemens Station

This old train station in Mount Clemens was built in 1859. It's famous for a very special reason involving Thomas Edison! In 1862, a young Edison saved a boy from an oncoming train right here. The boy's father, who was the station agent, taught Edison how to use the telegraph and operate trains as a reward. This sparked Edison's interest in technology, leading to many of his famous inventions! Today, the station is home to the Michigan Transit Museum.

Holcombe Site

The Holcombe Site in Warren is an ancient archaeological spot. It's where scientists found tools and bones from Paleo-Indians, who were some of the very first people to live in North America! They lived here thousands of years ago, when the area had a different climate and was next to a glacial lake. These early people hunted animals like caribou. The site helps us understand how their lives changed as the environment changed.

Kolping Park and Chapel

Kolping Park is a 19-acre park with a unique chapel. The chapel looks like old European chapels and was built from stones and shells sent from Kolping societies all over the world! It was designed by Father Joseph Wuest, who started the local Kolping Society. The park also has picnic areas, a soccer field, and more. In 2016, the chapel was moved to the nearby Chesterfield Historical Village to keep it safe.

Mount Clemens Public Library

The building that now houses the Anton Art Center in Mount Clemens was once the Mount Clemens Public Library. Located at 125 Macomb Place, this building has been a part of the community for many years. It was officially recognized as a historic place in 2021.

Packard Proving Grounds Gateway Complex

In 1927, the Packard Motor Car Company bought a huge piece of land to test their cars. They hired the famous architect Albert Kahn to design the buildings. The testing facility opened in 1928. Packard used it until the company closed in 1957. Later, Ford Motor Company owned it. Now, a special foundation is working to restore the most important parts of this historic complex, where many classic cars were tested.

Romeo Historic District

The Romeo Historic District is like stepping back in time! It has about 100 well-preserved old buildings, many of them built in the Gothic Revival style. Most are wooden houses, but there are also some strong brick buildings along Romeo's main street. Walking through this district, you can see how a town looked and felt many years ago.

William Upton House

The William Upton House in Sterling Heights was built in 1866-67 by a successful farmer named William Upton. He lived there for many years. After him, other farmers and then tenants lived in the house. In the 1960s, it was bought by a child guidance center, and later the city of Sterling Heights took over. They restored the outside of the house and turned the inside into public offices. It's a great example of how old homes can be given new life.

Warren Township District No. 4 School

Also known as the Bunert School, this one-room schoolhouse was built in 1875. Imagine all the kids who learned their ABCs and math in this very room! It was used as a school until 1944. Today, it's a historical museum run by the Warren Historical Society. It's the last one-room schoolhouse left in Warren, giving us a peek into what school was like long ago.

Loren Andrus Octagon House

The Loren Andrus Octagon House, also called the Washington Octagon House, was built in 1860. What makes it special? It's shaped like an octagon, meaning it has eight sides! This unique design was popular for a short time in the mid-1800s because people thought it made houses brighter and easier to heat. It's a really cool and unusual building to see.

Wolcott Mill

The Wolcott Mill was built in 1847 and used to grind grain and feed for animals. Fred B. Wolcott bought it in 1878 and made it even better with new machines. The mill kept working until 1967. In 1989, it became part of the Wolcott Mill Metropark. Now, visitors can learn about how mills worked in the past and see the old machinery.

Images for kids

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  Clinton Grove Cemetery

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  Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal

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  Erin-Warren Fractional District No. 2 Schoolhouse

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  First Congregational Church

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  Edsel and Eleanor Ford House

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  General Motors Technical Center

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  Grand Trunk Western Railroad, Mount Clemens Station

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  Holcombe Site

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  Kolping Park and Chapel

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  Mount Clemens Public Library

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  Packard Proving Grounds Gateway Complex

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  Romeo Historic District

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  William Upton House

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  Warren Township District No. 4 School

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  Loren Andrus Octagon House

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  Wolcott Mill