Belding in Ionia County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Alvah N. Belding Library
Registered Michigan Historic Site
Photographed By Cameron Zwart, May 5, 2012
1. Alvah N. Belding Library Marker
Alvah N. Belding erected this library in 1917/18 as a memorial to his parents, Hiram and Mary Wilson Belding. Alvah and his brother Hiram began peddling silk around Belding (then Patterson's Mills) in 1858. With the help of their brother Milo they began the internationally known Belding Bros. & Company in 1863. Michigan's first silk mill was erected here in 1886 and operated until 1932. This library, which cost $50,000, was dedicated and presented to the City of Belding on May 14, 1918. It is the only structure built by the Beldings still being used for its original purpose. An example of Classical Revival architecture, the limestone structure features a Spanish-tile roof. Its interior contains trim of marble oak and pine.
Erected 1981 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number 816.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1906.
Location. 43° 5.875′ N, 85° 13.577′ W. Marker is in Belding, Michigan, in Ionia County. Marker is at the intersection of East Main Street
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Alvah N. Belding Library (here, next to this marker); Belrockton Dormitory (within shouting distance of this marker); Pere Marquette Railway Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Pere Marquette Railway Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Belding Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Belding Redskin Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Belding Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Belding World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belding.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library. Library website homepage (Submitted on May 11, 2012, by Cameron Zwart of Belding, Michigan.)
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, February 1, 2023
2. Alvah N. Belding Library Marker
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, February 1, 2023
3. Alvah N. Belding Library Marker
Photographed By Cameron Zwart, May 5, 2012
4. Alvah N. Belding Library
Unknown - Public Domain, 1922
5. Alvah N. Belding
The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Volume XVIII, 1922, pages 416–417
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2012, by Cameron Zwart of Belding, Michigan. This page has been viewed 616 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on February 13, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photos: 1. submitted on May 11, 2012, by Cameron Zwart of Belding, Michigan. 2, 3. submitted on February 12, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 4. submitted on May 11, 2012, by Cameron Zwart of Belding, Michigan. 5. submitted on February 12, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
