National Register of Historic Places listings in St. Clair County, Michigan facts for kids
St. Clair County, Michigan, is home to many amazing places that are super important to history! These special spots are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for buildings, bridges, and other cool sites that tell stories about the past.
When a place is added to this list, it means it's worth protecting and remembering because of its history, architecture, or what it means to our country. Let's explore some of these awesome historic places in St. Clair County!
Discover St. Clair County's Historic Gems
St. Clair County has a rich history, and many of its buildings and landmarks show us what life was like long ago. From lighthouses that guided ships to old hotels and bridges, these places are like time capsules. They help us understand how communities grew and changed over the years.
Cool Historic Buildings and Homes
Many of the historic places in St. Clair County are old buildings that have stood for a long time. They often have unique designs and stories.
The Colony Tower Complex
The Colony Tower Complex is located in Pearl Beach on Dyke Road. It was added to the National Register in 1994. This complex is a great example of older buildings that have been preserved. It reminds us of how people lived and worked in the past.
Wilbur F. Davidson House
In Port Huron, you can find the Wilbur F. Davidson House at 1707 Military Street. This house became a historic place in 1972. It's a beautiful old home that shows the style of houses built a long time ago.
Federal Building in Port Huron
The Federal Building in Port Huron, located at 526 Water Street, was listed in 1974. This building likely served important government purposes, and its architecture tells a story about public buildings from that era.
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Harrington Hotel
The Harrington Hotel at 1026 Military Street in Port Huron was added to the list in 1982. Hotels like this were once busy centers for travelers and local events. Imagine all the people who stayed there over the years!
Ladies of the Maccabees Building
Also in Port Huron, at 901 Huron Avenue, is the Ladies of the Maccabees Building. It became historic in 1982. This building was important for a women's organization, showing how groups supported each other in the past.
Marine City Hall
The Marine City City Hall at 300 Broadway Street in Marine City was recognized in 1982. City halls are often central to a town's life, where important decisions are made and community events happen.
James McColl House
The James McColl House in Yale, at 205 S. Main Street, joined the list in 1985. This house gives us a peek into the lives of families who lived in Yale many years ago.
St. Clair Inn
The St. Clair Inn at 500 N. Riverside Avenue in St. Clair was listed in 1995. This inn has likely welcomed many guests over the years, offering a place to stay with beautiful views.
LeRoy Smith House
In Algonac, the LeRoy Smith House at 9503 Frank Street became a historic place in 1996. It's another example of a well-preserved home that adds to the historical feel of the area.
Ward-Holland House
The Ward-Holland House in Marine City, at 433 N. Main Street, was added in 1972. This house is another piece of Marine City's past, showing the architectural styles of its time.
Important Historic Sites and Landmarks
Beyond individual buildings, St. Clair County also has larger historic sites and landmarks that played a big role in its development.
Fort Gratiot
Fort Gratiot in Port Huron, located along Thomas Edison Parkway, was listed in 1980. This fort was an important military outpost, helping to protect the area a long time ago. It's a reminder of early American history.
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Fort Gratiot Lighthouse
The Fort Gratiot Light is a famous lighthouse in Port Huron, at Omar and Garfield Streets. It was added to the Register in 1976. Lighthouses were super important for guiding ships safely through the water, especially at night or in bad weather. This one has been doing that job for a very long time!
Thomas Edison Depot Museum
The Thomas Edison Depot Museum in Port Huron, at 520 State Street, became historic in 1977. This used to be the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Depot. It's special because the famous inventor Thomas Edison worked here as a boy! It's cool to think about where he started his journey.
Huron Lightship
The Huron Lightship is a unique historic ship located in Pine Grove Park on the St. Clair River in Port Huron. It was listed in 1976. Lightships were like floating lighthouses, used in places where it was too hard to build a regular lighthouse. The Huron helped guide ships for many years.
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St. Clair Flats South Channel Range Lights
Near Algonac, about 0.6 miles west of the southern tip of Harsens Island, are the St. Clair Flats South Channel Range Lights. These lights, added in 1990, worked together to help ships navigate the tricky channels of the St. Clair Flats.
St. Clair River Tunnel
The St. Clair Tunnel is an amazing engineering feat! It goes under the St. Clair River between Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. This tunnel was recognized as historic in 1970. It was one of the first underwater railway tunnels in North America, making it a very important part of transportation history.
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USCGC Bramble
The USCGC Bramble is a historic ship located at 2336 Military Street in Port Huron. It was listed in 2012. This ship served in the U.S. Coast Guard, helping with important tasks like breaking ice and maintaining navigation aids.
Historic Bridges
Bridges are not just ways to get across water; many are also historic landmarks! St. Clair County has several bridges on the Register.
Jeddo Road–South Branch Mill Creek Drain Bridge
The Jeddo Road–South Branch Mill Creek Drain Bridge in Brockway Township was listed in 2000. This bridge crosses the South Branch Mill Creek Drain.
Marine City Water Works
The Marine City Water Works at 229 S. Main Street in Marine City was added in 2011. This site was important for providing clean water to the community, a vital service that helped the town grow.
Masters Road–Belle River Bridge
The Masters Road–Belle River Bridge in Riley Township was listed in 2000. It crosses the Belle River.
Seventh Street–Black River Bridge
The Seventh Street–Black River Bridge in Port Huron, crossing the Black River, was added in 2000. This bridge is an important part of Port Huron's transportation history.
Vernier Street–Swan Creek Bridge
The Vernier Street–Swan Creek Bridge in Ira Township was listed in 2000. Sadly, this bridge was taken down in 2014. Even though it's gone, it was once an important historic structure.
Wadhams Road–Pine River Bridge
The Wadhams Road–Pine River Bridge in Saint Clair Township was added in 2000. This bridge, which crossed the Pine River, was demolished in 2007. Like the Vernier Street bridge, it was once a part of the area's history.
Historic Districts
Sometimes, not just one building, but a whole area is considered historic! These are called historic districts.
Military Road Historic District
The Military Road Historic District in Port Huron includes Military Street and Huron Avenue, from Court Street to Bard Street. This district was listed in 1998. It means that many buildings in this area together tell an important story about the history and development of Port Huron.
Historic Places That Moved Away
Sometimes, a historic place might be moved to a new location. This happened with one bridge that was once in St. Clair County.
Indian Trail Road–Belle River Bridge
The Indian Trail Road–Belle River Bridge was originally in St. Clair County, crossing the Belle River. It was listed as historic in 2000. However, this bridge was removed and replaced in 2008. Then, in 2015, it was moved all the way to West Lafayette, Indiana! Now it's part of a research center there. It's pretty cool that a bridge can have such a long journey!
