National Register of Historic Places listings in Saginaw County, Michigan facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about the oldest and most special buildings or places in your community? In Saginaw County, Michigan, there are many such places that are so important they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special list kept by the United States government that helps protect and celebrate places that have a lot of history or are very unique.
These places tell us stories about the past, from how people lived long ago to how cities like Saginaw grew. There are 41 different buildings, parks, and even old bridges in Saginaw County that are on this list! Let's explore some of them and discover the history hidden right in our neighborhoods.
Contents
- Historic Buildings and Homes
- Bearinger Building
- Abel Brockway House
- Castle Museum
- Central Warehouse
- Benjamin Cushway House
- House at 1514 N. Michigan Street
- Michigan Bell Building
- Roethke Houses
- Russell Sackett House
- Saginaw Armory
- Saginaw County Fairgrounds Main Gate
- St. John's Episcopal Church
- Wenzel House
- Ammi and William Wright House
- Historic Districts
- Bridges and Other Sites
- Why are these places important?
Historic Buildings and Homes
Many of the places on the National Register are old buildings that show us how people lived and worked in the past.
Bearinger Building
The Bearinger Building is a tall, historic building located at 124 N. Franklin Street in Saginaw. It was added to the National Register on July 9, 1982. This building is a great example of the architecture from its time and stands as a reminder of Saginaw's busy downtown history.
Abel Brockway House
The Abel Brockway House is a beautiful old home at 1631 Brockway Street in Saginaw. It was listed on the National Register on July 9, 1982. Imagine living in a house that has been around for so many years, seeing generations come and go!
Castle Museum
The Castle Station, now known as the Castle Museum of Saginaw County History, is a very cool building that looks like a castle! It's located at S. Jefferson and Federal Street in Saginaw. It became a historic place on January 13, 1972. Today, it's a museum where you can learn all about the history of Saginaw County. It's a perfect example of how old buildings can be given new life and purpose.
Central Warehouse
The Central Warehouse at 1800 N. Michigan Avenue in Saginaw was added to the list on July 9, 1982. Warehouses like this were very important for storing goods and helping businesses grow in the past.
Benjamin Cushway House
The Benjamin Cushway House is another historic home in Saginaw. It was originally located on S. Fayette Street but was carefully moved to its current spot at Rust Avenue and Fordney Street in 2001. It was listed on the National Register on July 9, 1982. Moving an entire house is a huge project, showing how much people wanted to save this piece of history!
House at 1514 N. Michigan Street
This house, located at 1514 N. Michigan Avenue in Saginaw, is also on the National Register, listed on July 9, 1982. It's a great example of the homes built in Saginaw during that time.
Michigan Bell Building
The Michigan Bell Building at 309 S. Washington Avenue in Saginaw was added to the list on July 9, 1982. This building was important for communication, as it housed the telephone company that connected people across the region.
Roethke Houses
The Roethke Houses are two homes at 1759 and 1805 Gratiot Avenue in Saginaw. They were listed on June 8, 2001. These houses are special because they were once home to Theodore Roethke, a famous American poet.
Russell Sackett House
The Russell Sackett House at 1604 Court Street in Saginaw is another historic home, listed on July 9, 1982. It's a beautiful example of older residential architecture.
Saginaw Armory
The Saginaw Armory at 234 S. Water Street in Saginaw was listed on March 13, 2002. An armory is a place where military equipment is stored and soldiers train. This building has played a role in the defense and community life of Saginaw.
Saginaw County Fairgrounds Main Gate
The main entrance to the Saginaw County Fairgrounds at 2701 E. Genesee Avenue in Saginaw is also a historic spot, listed on December 16, 2014. This gate has welcomed countless visitors to the county fair over many years, holding many memories.
St. John's Episcopal Church
St. John's Episcopal Church at 509 Hancock Street in Saginaw is a beautiful church building listed on July 9, 1982. Churches often serve as important community centers and have unique architectural styles.
Wenzel House
The Wenzel House at 1203 S. Fayette Street in Saginaw was added to the National Register on July 9, 1982. It's another example of the many historic homes that make up Saginaw's rich past.
Ammi and William Wright House
The Ammi and William Wright House at 207 Garden Lane in Saginaw was listed on July 9, 1982. This grand house tells a story of important families in Saginaw's history.
Historic Districts
Sometimes, it's not just one building that's special, but a whole group of buildings or an area. These are called historic districts.
East Genesee Historic Business District
The East Genesee Historic Business District in Saginaw includes buildings along E. Genesee Avenue, bounded by Federal, Weadock, 2nd, and Janes Streets. It was listed on July 9, 1982. This area was once a very busy place for shops and businesses, and the buildings still show that history.
East Saginaw Historic Business District
Another important business area is the East Saginaw Historic Business District, roughly bounded by Federal, N. Water, N. Washington, and N. Franklin Streets. It was listed on July 9, 1982. This district shows how important trade and commerce were to the growth of Saginaw.
The Grove (Saginaw, Michigan)
The Grove is a historic district on S. Washington Avenue in Saginaw, listed on July 9, 1982. It's an area that has kept its historic feel and look.
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Saginaw Central City Historic Residential District
This large district is roughly bounded by Federal Avenue, S. Baum Street, Park Avenue, and Simoneau Street in Saginaw. It was listed on February 1, 1979. It includes many historic homes where people lived and raised families.
Bridges and Other Sites
Saginaw County also has historic bridges and even ancient sites on the National Register.
Gugel Bridge
The Gugel Bridge crosses the Cass River on Beyer Road in Frankenmuth Township. It was listed on March 15, 2000. Old bridges like this are important examples of engineering from the past.
Parshallburg Bridge
The Parshallburg Bridge was a historic bridge over the Shiawassee River in Chesaning Township. It was listed on October 12, 1994. Sadly, it was destroyed by a flood in 2008, but it remains on the list as a reminder of its past importance.
State Street Bridge (Bridgeport, Michigan)
The State Street Bridge crosses the Cass River in Bridgeport. It was listed on November 29, 1995. This bridge is a key part of the local transportation history.
Archaeological Sites
Some listings on the National Register are "Address Restricted." This usually means they are archaeological sites, places where scientists study ancient human history by digging up artifacts. These sites are kept secret to protect them from damage. Examples in Saginaw County include the Bugai Site, Fosters Site, Mahoney Site, Schmidt Site, and the Schultz Site (Green Point Site). These places help us learn about the very first people who lived in Michigan thousands of years ago.
Why are these places important?
These historic places in Saginaw County are like treasures. They help us understand our past, appreciate the architecture and engineering of different times, and connect with the stories of the people who lived before us. By protecting them, we make sure that future generations can also learn from and enjoy these special parts of our history.
