South Michigan Avenue Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
South Michigan Avenue Historic District
|
|
| Location | Roughly bounded by Fayette, Lyon, Lee and S. Hamilton Sts., Saginaw, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Area | 15 acres (6.1 ha) |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Bungalow/American craftsman, Late Victorian |
| MPS | Center Saginaw MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002878 |
| Added to NRHP | July 9, 1982 |
The South Michigan Avenue Historic District is a special neighborhood in Saginaw, Michigan. It's a historic area mostly filled with homes. You can find it along South Michigan Avenue, between Lyon and Lee Streets. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it's recognized as an important place in history!
Contents
A Look Back: History of the District
When Did the Neighborhood Start?
Building in this area began in the 1870s. Homes were built slowly and steadily over many years. By 1890, almost every block had at least one house. New homes continued to appear at a steady pace. This continued through the early 1900s, up until about 1919.
Who Lived Here?
The people who lived in this district were often quite well-off. They liked classic and elegant styles for their homes. This made the neighborhood look very refined and beautiful. Some early residents were important people in the lumber business. These included George Stark, Lorenzo B. Curtis, and T.J. Jerome. Other residents were C.Q. Lee, harness maker Phillip Offergelt, and stable owner Charles Benjamin. Later, some of the bigger houses became offices or other businesses.
What Makes the District Special?
Architectural Styles You Can See
The South Michigan Avenue Historic District has 41 buildings. Forty of these buildings help show the neighborhood's history. You can see many different styles of architecture here. Some homes are in the Carpenter Gothic or Italianate styles. Others show the Queen Anne look. You might also spot homes in the Georgian Revival or Dutch Revival styles. There are even some Bungalow-style houses.
Because homes were built over different time periods, each block has a mix of styles. This makes walking through the neighborhood very interesting! The district also sits on a small hill. This gives it a nice "hilltop" feeling, looking over the river floodplain.
Famous Homes in the District
- George Stark House (704 S. Michigan): This house was built in 1874 for George Stark. It's a two-story wooden house with a mix of Carpenter Gothic and Italianate styles. After Mr. Stark passed away, the house was used for different things. It was a health center, a rest home, and even a group home.
- 619 S. Michigan: This house was also built in 1874. It's an unusual Italianate style home. It mixes Italianate features with older Greek Revival shapes. It also has Georgian Revival details on its front porch.
- 1008 S. Michigan: Built in 1914, this house shows a mix of styles. It has some features from the older Queen Anne style. But it also shows newer styles like Georgian Revival and Bungalow.
