Second Arenac County Courthouse facts for kids
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Second Arenac County Courthouse
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Central Ave., Omer, Michigan |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1889 |
| Built by | Angus McDonnell |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002823 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1982 |
The Second Arenac County Courthouse is a historic building in Omer, Michigan. It is also known as Ye Olde Courthouse Masonic Hall or the Omer Masonic Hall. This building is a great example of a detailed wooden building from its time. It was named a Michigan State Historic Site in 1976. Later, in 1982, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which lists important historical places in the United States.
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History of the Courthouse
Why Was the Courthouse Built?
Arenac County was formed in 1883 from parts of Bay County. Omer was chosen as the main town, or "county seat," where the county government would be. An earlier courthouse was built, but it burned down in 1889. The county then hired a local builder named Angus McDonnell to construct a new building on the same spot.
When Was the Courthouse Used?
The new courthouse was finished in 1890. It cost $2970.75 to build. However, in 1891, people in the county voted to move the county seat to Standish. This meant the county government moved out of the Omer building.
What Happened After the County Moved Out?
In 1893, the empty courthouse was sold for $500. It was bought by the Omer Lodge of the Free and Accepted Order of Masons, a community group. The Masonic Lodge sometimes let the village use the building. It served as a village hall, a fire station, and even a jail at different times.
What Is the Building Used for Today?
By 1997, the Masons needed to make many repairs to the building. They moved to a smaller place. Carol and Robert Britt bought the building and started fixing it up. They wanted to turn it into a museum. In 2004, the Britts sold the building to the Arenac County Historical Society. Today, the building is the Society's Historical Courthouse Museum. It is known as "Ye Olde Courthouse Masonic Hall."
What Does the Building Look Like?
The Second Arenac County Courthouse is a two-story building shaped like a rectangle. It is covered with wooden siding called clapboard. The roof is a hip roof, which slopes on all four sides.
The main entrance has a porch with thin columns. Above the entrance, there is a fancy fan-shaped window. The triangular part of the roof above the entrance, called a gable, has decorative fish-scale shaped shingles and a carved sunburst design. A graceful tower, called a cupola, sits on top of the building.
Images for kids
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The Second Arenac County Courthouse in Omer, Michigan.
