Richland Historic District (Richland, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Richland Historic District
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Kedzie House, c. 1906
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| Location | 7567-8020 N. 32nd, 8023-8047 Church, 8951-8965 Park Sts., 8650-8118 E. D Ave., 8760-8905 Gull Rd., 9057-9063 RR, Richland, Michigan |
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| Area | 97 acres (39 ha) |
| Built | 1834 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Italianate, Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000278 |
| Added to NRHP | April 11, 1997 |
The Richland Historic District is a special part of Richland, Michigan. It includes many old buildings, both homes and businesses. These buildings are found near the main roads like 32nd Street, D Avenue, and Gull Road. This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. This means it's recognized as an important place in history.
Contents
History of Richland
Early Settlement
In 1830, a group of settlers arrived in the area. They came to farm the land, which was then called "Gull Prairie." In 1832 and 1833, small towns were planned nearby. However, most new people chose to settle right in the middle, where the main roads crossed.
By the mid-1830s, a small public square was created. This square became a popular spot for people to gather. The first church was built in 1834. A school building followed in 1837. For many years, this settlement was the center of a farming community.
Growth and Development
Richland officially became a village in 1871. In 1883, the Michigan and Ohio Railroad built train tracks through the village. This made Richland a small hub for moving farm products. The village slowly grew bigger in the late 1800s.
Most of the growth happened along the main roads. These were 32nd Street, D Avenue, and Gull Road. This kept the same street layout that was first planned in the 1830s. By the 1910s, most of the buildings in the town center were already built. Not many new buildings were added after that time.
What Makes Richland Special
The Richland Historic District is a unique farming community. It grew up around a village square without a strict town plan. The old street layout is still the same today. Shops and community buildings are close to the square. Homes are found on the streets further out.
There are 66 buildings in the district that show its historic past. Most of these were built between 1860 and 1900. Nearly all of them are made of wood. They show common building styles from the area. Most buildings are homes. The district also has two churches, two schools, an Oddfellows Hall, a library, and a bank. Other modern or changed commercial buildings are not part of the historic district.
Important Buildings in the District
Here are some of the notable buildings you can find:
- Uriah & Maria Upjohn House (7799 N. 32nd St.): This house was built in 1852 and 1859. It's a two-story home with a special roof style called Italianate. It also has a Greek Revival style section. The house is covered in wooden siding. Uriah Upjohn was a doctor who helped start the Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company in 1885.
- Purigraski House (8883 E. D Ave.): Built around 1895, this is a well-kept 2-1/2 story house. It has a hip roof and wooden siding. It also features three dormer windows and a wide front porch with stone supports.
- Oddfellows Hall (8960 E. D Ave.): This building was constructed in 1891. It's a two-story building with a gable front and wooden siding. It first had a drug store on the first floor. The second floor was used by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a community group.
- Union Bank (8972 E. D Ave.): Built around 1870, this is a 1-1/2 story brick bank building. The original Union Bank closed in 1907.
- William and Zoe Kenzie House (9024 E. D Ave.): This large 2-1/2 story house was built around 1907. The bottom floor is brick, and the top has painted shingles. It has a wide front porch with cobblestone details. Dr. Kenzie was a doctor and ran a drug store in Richland for many years.
- Jane Giddings House (9100 E. D Ave.): This house was built around 1890 for Jane Giddings. Her husband, William, was the first person to pass away in the township in 1831. Her son, Marsh Giddings, became a politician and later served as governor of the New Mexico Territory.
- 1884 School (9153 E. D Ave.): This is a two-story brick school building. It has a T-shape and a gable front. Its front looks the same on both sides.
- Presbyterian Church (8047 Church St.): Built in 1861, this church has a Greek Revival style. It has a square tower with a bell area and a pyramid roof. The main part of the church has round-topped windows. It's covered in wooden siding. A newer part has been added behind the church.
- Ladies Library (now the Richland Community Library) (8951 Park St.): This building was constructed in 1907. It's a one-story brick building with a hip roof. It has a centered entrance with a gabled porch.
- Stephen Patrick House (8807 Gull Rd.): Built around 1865, this is a two-story Italianate style house. It has tall windows and a wide front porch. Stephen Patrick, a carpenter, built this house. He also helped build the Presbyterian Church. Today, the house is used as offices.
- Methodist Episcopal Church (now the Richland Community Hall) (8905 Gull Rd.): This building was constructed in 1891. It has a gable roof and a stucco finish. It used to have a tall corner tower above the entrance, but it's now shorter. The Methodist Episcopal church used this building from 1891 to 1926. In 1929, it became the Community Hall.
- Rural Agricultural School (Gull Rd.): Built in 1924, this was a two-story brick school. An addition was built in 1936 with special government funds. Sadly, the building caught fire in 1998 and was later taken down.
