National Register of Historic Places

Lapeer County Courthouse

Lapeer, Lapeer County, Michigan
Listed
September 2, 1971
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
71000402

About this property

The Lapeer County Courthouse is a county courthouse located on Courthouse Square along West Nepessing Street in the city of Lapeer in Lapeer County, Michigan. It was designated as a Michigan State Historic Site on September 17, 1957, and later added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 3, 1971. It was the first property in Lapeer County to be listed on either registry. The courthouse is a rectangular, wood, two-story structure built on a raised foundation in the style of Greek Revival architecture. On the inside, a circuit court room is located on the second floor with jury room; administrative offices are located on the ground floor; and restrooms are located in the basement. The building also houses a Lapeer County Historical Society display with some vintage furnishings. With limited space, the police station, probate court, jail, and several other offices and courtrooms are now located behind the courthouse in a newer complex located at 255 Clay Street. The Lapeer County Courthouse is among the earliest of its kind built in the state. It is recognized as the oldest original courthouse structure still in use in the state of Michigan and one of the 10 oldest such structures in all of the country. Lapeer County was formed in 1822 with the city of Lapeer being established as the county seat in 1831. The structure is recognized as having been first constructed in 1839, although this represents an earlier structure built on the site. The date on the pediment states 1846, which is the date that the current structure was completed—having been started the previous year. It was commissioned by state representative and state senator Alvin N. Hart, who lobbied successfully for Lapeer to continue to serve as the county seat. Hart sold the structure to the Board of Supervisors of Lapeer County for $4,500 in 1853. The first local Grange in Michigan was founded at this site in 1872. Since its construction, the only alteration to the structure occurred when three doorways were cut into the portico in 1938. The property is owned by the Lapeer County Historical Society and is open for tours during special events. It can also be rented.

Location

Lapeer, Lapeer County, Michigan
43.05405, -83.31070

Categories

POLITICS/GOVERNMENTARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Lapeer County Courthouse

This page lists Lapeer County Courthouse. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Lapeer County Courthouse report
Or see a real report first

Nearby Historic Sites

Watson, William H. and Sabrina, House
Industrial
0.1 mi
Hart, Rodney G., House
Industrial
0.1 mi
Dutton, James B., House
Industrial
0.2 mi
Armstrong, Joseph, House
Industrial
0.3 mi
Lee, John and Rosetta, House
Industrial
0.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Lapeer County Courthouse listed on the National Register?

Lapeer County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 2, 1971.

What type of historic resource is Lapeer County Courthouse?

Lapeer County Courthouse is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Lapeer County Courthouse?

The period of significance for Lapeer County Courthouse is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Lapeer County Courthouse?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Lapeer County Courthouse will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

More in Lapeer County

Historic places, battles, and census history across Lapeer County.

Explore LapeerCounty ›

More historic places in Michigan

Browse all historic places in Michigan.

View Michiganhistoric sites ›

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Browse US conflicts ›

Michigan history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.

Michiganhistory ›

Research the history near this site

An Aubrey US report for an address near Lapeer County Courthouse will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.

Research your locationView a free sample report