Superior Street Commercial Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Superior Street Commercial Historic District
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HD designation, north end of district
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| Location | Roughly bounded by the Kalamazoo River, Cass, Elm, Eaton and Vine Sts., Albion, Michigan |
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| Area | 35 acres (14 ha) |
| Built | 1845 |
| Architect | Rockwell A. Leroy, Dean, Meritt & Cole |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Second Empire, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000626 |
| Added to NRHP | August 18, 1997 |
The Superior Street Commercial Historic District is a special area in Albion, Michigan. It's a collection of old shops and buildings mainly found along Superior Street. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. This means it's an important place worth protecting because of its history and unique buildings.
Contents
History of Albion's Main Street
How Albion Began
Albion was first planned out in 1836. By the next year, two mills were already working by the river. A small group of people had also started living there.
The Railroad Arrives
In 1844, a railroad line was built through the north side of Albion. This was a big deal! More businesses and shops started to open up near the train tracks.
The railroad made it easier for new people to move to Albion. Many of these new settlers became farmers. Mills and grain elevators became very important for Albion's economy. Factories also started to appear in the mid-1800s.
Growing Through the Years
Albion kept growing steadily for the rest of the 1800s. The main shopping area grew right along with it. The oldest buildings still standing in the district are from the 1850s. They show a style called Italianate.
More buildings in this style were built until the 1880s. They make up a large part of the district today. Around the main shopping area, other important buildings were built. These included churches, an opera house, a library, the city hall, and social clubs.
As new buildings were added in the 1900s, their style changed. They became simpler, moving away from the fancy Victorian look.
What the District Looks Like
Buildings and Styles
The Superior Street Commercial Historic District has 92 buildings. About 75 of these buildings help show the area's historic character. Most buildings are on Superior Street, but some blocks on either side are also included.
The buildings on Superior Street look like they belong together. They are mostly the same height. Many also have similar decorative frames around their windows.
The buildings in the district were built from the mid-1850s to the 1950s. Most are two or three stories tall. They are usually made of brick. Many buildings have an Italianate design. However, you can also find buildings in the Prairie, Second Empire, and Romanesque styles.
Gallery
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Superior Street near Center, looking south
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Parade
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Bohm Theatre
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Night scene
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Superior and Center, historic photo
