National Register of Historic Places

South Michigan Avenue Historic District

Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan
Listed
July 8, 1982
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
82002878

About this property

The South Michigan Avenue Historic District is a primarily residential historic district located along South Michigan Avenue between Lyon and Lee Streets in Saginaw, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Development of this neighborhood began in the 1870s, and progressed slowly and evenly throughout the neighborhood. By 1890, nearly every block had at least one house, and nearly equal numbers of houses were constructed in the periods before 1890, between 1890 and 1900, between 1904 and 1909, and between 1912 and 1919. Residents of the district tended to be wealthy, yet conservative in their tastes, leading to an elegant and restrained neighborhood. Early residents included lumbermen George Stark, Lorenzo B. Curtis, and T.J. Jerome, C.Q. Lee, harness maker Phillip Offergelt, and stable owner Charles Benjamin. In the 20th century, some of the larger houses in the district were converted to office space and other business uses. The South Michigan Avenue Historic District contains 41 structures, 40 of which contribute to the historic character of the neighborhood. Architectural styles found within the district range from Carpenter Gothic, Italianate, and Queen Anne to Georgian Revival, Dutch Revival, and Bungaloid. The distinct periods of development through the neighborhood, and the uniform pace, gives each block a variation of architectural styles. Much of the district sits on a rise above the river floodplain, giving the neighborhood a hilltop ambiance. George Stark House (704 S. Michigan): This home was constructed for George Stark in 1874. It is a two-story frame Carpenter Gothic house with Italianate influences. After Stark's death, the house was used as a health center, rest home, and a group home. 619 S. Michigan: This 1874 house is an unusual Italianate structure, combining the Italianate with Greek Revival massing and gable returns and Georgian Revival details of the front porch and the porte cochere. 1008 S. Michigan: This house, constructed in 1914, exhibits a transitional design between the earlier Queen Anne style and later Georgian Revival and Bungaloid styles of the twentieth century.

Location

Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan
43.41281, -83.97010

Categories

INDUSTRYCOMMERCE
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.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
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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
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Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
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Nearby Historic Sites

Wenzel House
Industrial
0.1 mi
Cushway, Benjamin, House
Industrial
0.3 mi
St. John's Episcopal Church
Industrial
0.5 mi
Saginaw City Historic Business District
Listed
0.5 mi
West Side Historic Residential District
Listed
0.6 mi

Questions about this property

When was South Michigan Avenue Historic District listed on the National Register?

South Michigan Avenue Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 8, 1982.

What type of historic resource is South Michigan Avenue Historic District?

South Michigan Avenue Historic District is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for South Michigan Avenue Historic District?

The period of significance for South Michigan Avenue Historic District is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near South Michigan Avenue Historic District?

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