Owosso Downtown Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Owosso Downtown Historic District
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119-123 W Exchange St.
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Shiawassee R., Comstock, Water, Park and Mason Sts., Owosso, Michigan |
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| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Neoclassical, Commercial Brick, Mid-century Modern |
| NRHP reference No. | 14000126 |
| Added to NRHP | April 7, 2014 |
The Owosso Downtown Historic District is a special area in the heart of Owosso, Michigan. It's filled with many old and important buildings, mostly shops and businesses. This historic district is located near the Shiawassee River and is bordered by Comstock, Water, Park, and Mason Streets. It was officially recognized and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014 because of its historical importance.
Contents
History of Downtown Owosso
Early Days and First Buildings
The land where downtown Owosso now stands was bought in 1833. Two brothers, Benjamin O. and Alfred L. Williams, purchased it. They had a special water channel, called a millrace, built in 1837. Soon after, several mills were constructed along this channel.
In 1838, the Williams brothers planned out the center of Owosso. This planned area is now the historic district. Some shops were probably already there. Soon, many wooden stores were built, creating Owosso's first downtown area. The first building made of brick was the Ament Hotel, built in 1844.
Growth After the Civil War
Owosso grew a lot after the American Civil War. The downtown area expanded, and many older wooden buildings were destroyed by fires. This led to a big rebuilding effort in the commercial district. New buildings continued to go up through the 1880s and 1890s. By 1915, most of the city center was already built. After that, new construction happened much more slowly.
What You'll See in the District
Types of Buildings
The Owosso Downtown Historic District mainly has commercial buildings. These are places where businesses operate, like shops and offices. But it also includes many important public buildings. You can find city buildings, schools, churches, and social halls here.
Important Structures
Some of the key buildings include:
- The Municipal Building, which is like the City Hall.
- The Owosso Armory.
- The old High School building.
- Two churches.
- A Masonic Temple.
Most buildings in the district are two or three stories tall. However, there are also two buildings that are four stories high. You'll also see several one-story structures.
Architectural Styles
The buildings show different styles of architecture. Many are in the Italianate style or other Late Victorian commercial styles. You can also see buildings with Greek Revival, Neoclassical, Commercial Brick, and Mid-century Modern designs.
Gallery
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110-122 W Exchange St
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116-120 W Exchange
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Evening Argus Building
