Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The 19th-Century Neighborhood
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 17, 2018
1. The 19th-Century Neighborhood Marker
Most of the 19th-century homes and churches built between downtown (upper left) and UM campus (lower right) have been lost to 20th-century commercial expansion. In what was once a neighborhood of quiet, unpaved tree-lined streets, residents could walk everywhere — to work, to shop, or to worship. Mansions that lined East Huron succumbed to gas stations, parking lots, and large buildings that dominated what became a major auto artery. On North Division, out of the path of development, some grand homes still remain, now protected in a historic district. Once one of the most fashionable parts of town, its houses had extensive grounds, richly adorned with flowers and trees.
Sponsored by McKinley
Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library
Erected by Ann Arbor Historical Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 42° 16.774′ N, 83° 44.635′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. Marker is at the intersection of South Division Street and East Liberty Street, on the right when traveling north on South Division Street
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. At Home in the 19th Century (here, next to this marker); Residential Life in Mid-19th Century Ann Arbor (within shouting distance of this marker); Kempf House (within shouting distance of this marker); From Liveries to Taxis (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Uptown Theaters (about 500 feet away); Michigan Theatre (about 600 feet away); Antislavery Society (about 600 feet away); Central Title Service Building (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ann Arbor.
Also see . . . Site 1: Wall Display: The 19th Century Neighborhood. Marker on the Downtown Ann Arbor Historical Street Exhibit website. (Submitted on May 28, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library.
2. Upper Left Images
East Huron ca. 1875 [top]
Looking west from State Street, the 1862 First Presbyterian Church at Division Street nestles in this residential neighborhood. The church was demolished in 1935 to make way for construction of the Ann Arbor News building.
First Methodist Episcopal Church Parsonage [bottom]
The 1858 house at 332 East Washington Street was a parsonage until 1881. The church was a block away at State and Washington. In 1925 owner Albert Graves added an auto repair garage in back. The property was carefully renovated in 1980.
Looking west from State Street, the 1862 First Presbyterian Church at Division Street nestles in this residential neighborhood. The church was demolished in 1935 to make way for construction of the Ann Arbor News building.
First Methodist Episcopal Church Parsonage [bottom]
The 1858 house at 332 East Washington Street was a parsonage until 1881. The church was a block away at State and Washington. In 1925 owner Albert Graves added an auto repair garage in back. The property was carefully renovated in 1980.
Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library.
3. Lower Left Images
Enoch James House [top]
At 321 East Liberty Street, in the block to the west, this distinctive step-gable brick house was built in 1849 for Massachusetts immigrant Enoch James and his family. In the late 19th century, the house was divided into apartments.
First German Methodist Episcopal Church [bottom]
In 1847 German Methodists built a church on the corner behind you, facing Liberty. By 1895 the congregation had outgrown the building and moved to the west side of town. The house that replaced the church was demolished for a furniture store in the 1960s.
At 321 East Liberty Street, in the block to the west, this distinctive step-gable brick house was built in 1849 for Massachusetts immigrant Enoch James and his family. In the late 19th century, the house was divided into apartments.
First German Methodist Episcopal Church [bottom]
In 1847 German Methodists built a church on the corner behind you, facing Liberty. By 1895 the congregation had outgrown the building and moved to the west side of town. The house that replaced the church was demolished for a furniture store in the 1960s.
Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library.
4. Upper Right Images
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church [top]
St. Andrew's, on the corner of Division and Catherine, was the first stone church in Ann Arbor. Begun in 1868, it is now the oldest church in town. The tower was added in 1902 in memory of Dr. Alonzo Palmer, an early member of the UM medical faculty, who lived a block away.
View of North Division Street [bottom]
Looking north past Ann Street around 1908, on the right is the columned 1843 Wilson-Wahr House, one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in Michigan. Beyond it are the 1858 Wells-Babcock House, the 1848 John Maynard House, and St. Andrew's.
St. Andrew's, on the corner of Division and Catherine, was the first stone church in Ann Arbor. Begun in 1868, it is now the oldest church in town. The tower was added in 1902 in memory of Dr. Alonzo Palmer, an early member of the UM medical faculty, who lived a block away.
View of North Division Street [bottom]
Looking north past Ann Street around 1908, on the right is the columned 1843 Wilson-Wahr House, one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in Michigan. Beyond it are the 1858 Wells-Babcock House, the 1848 John Maynard House, and St. Andrew's.
Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library.
5. Lower Right Images
Michigamme Oil [top]
In 1926, to take advantage of increasing traffic, Michigamme Oil added a gas station to the front of an 1880s house on the northwest corner of Huron and Division, across from the First Presbyterian Church.
Fawcett House Restaurant [bottom]
John Travis, publisher of the Ann Arbour Courier, built this house in 1896 on the northeast corner of Huron and Division. It was used as a restaurant before being demolished in 1932 to make way for a gas station. By 1936, when the Ann Arbor News building went up on the site of the Presbyterian Church, gas stations had replaced houses on the other corners.
In 1926, to take advantage of increasing traffic, Michigamme Oil added a gas station to the front of an 1880s house on the northwest corner of Huron and Division, across from the First Presbyterian Church.
Fawcett House Restaurant [bottom]
John Travis, publisher of the Ann Arbour Courier, built this house in 1896 on the northeast corner of Huron and Division. It was used as a restaurant before being demolished in 1932 to make way for a gas station. By 1936, when the Ann Arbor News building went up on the site of the Presbyterian Church, gas stations had replaced houses on the other corners.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 17, 2018
6. The 19th-Century Neighborhood Marker
This marker is the bottom one of the two on the corner of the building.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 28, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
