Adrian in Lenawee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

County Courthouse

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 8, 2017

1. County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Lenawee County was first settled in 1824 at Tecumseh, which the Territorial Legislature subsequently made the county seat. Pioneers, mostly from upper New York State, then established Blissfield and Adrian, the later called Logan. The largest Indian tribe in the area was the Potawatomi. In 1838 the first State Legislature moved the Lenawee seat of justice from Tecumseh to Adrian. The first courthouse in Adrian was built in 1837 but burned in 1852. Immediately purchasing this site, formerly the western terminus of the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad, the county opened a temporary courthouse. The present Romanesque style edifice was completed in 1885 and features round arched entrances and an ornate tower. Its exterior is also adorned with classic reliefs and terra-cotta trim. Since 1885 this impressive structure has been the seat of Lenawee County government.

Erected 1981 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L368.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.

Location.

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41° 54.106′ N, 84° 2.096′ W. Marker is in Adrian, Michigan, in Lenawee County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street (State Highway 52) and West Front Street, on the right when traveling south on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 North Main Streeet, Adrian MI 49221, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Robertson Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Professional Baseball in Adrian (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles Miller Croswell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Governor Charles M. Croswell / Croswell House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Adrian & The Republican Party (approx. 0.2 miles away); Adrian's Prominent Leaders (approx. 0.2 miles away); Adrian Union Hall (approx. ¼ mile away); Cooley Law Office (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Adrian.

Also see . . .
1. Michigan SP Lenawee County Courthouse. The courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places. The 1991 Nomination Form gives a description of the building and describes its significance. It further states that: "Edward O. Fallis of Toledo, Ohio drew up the plans and specifications for the building. He was a prominent architect in Toledo who was well known for his design of courthouses in Michigan and Illinois." A biography

County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, February 14, 2023

2. County Courthouse

The marker can be seen in profile in front of the courthouse.

of Fallis is also provided. (Submitted on October 27, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

2. Lenawee County Courthouse. Excerpt:

The Lenawee County Courthouse is a county courthouse located at 309 North Main Street (M-52) in the city of Adrian in central Lenawee County, Michigan. It was designated as a Michigan Historic Site on November 14, 1974, and later added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 28, 1991. The Lenawee County Courthouse is located at the corner of M-52 (known locally at this point as North Main Street) and West Front Street. West Front Street also carries the M-52 signage as it turns to form the northern edge of the U.S. Route 223 business loop around the Downtown Adrian Commercial Historic District.

(Submitted on May 17, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 8, 2017

3. County Courthouse

View from the southeast.

County Courthouse Dome image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Ridley, April 10, 2023

4. County Courthouse Dome

County Courthouse Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 18, 2021

5. County Courthouse Cornerstone

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 692 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 14, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 2. submitted on February 16, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 14, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 4. submitted on August 22, 2023, by John Ridley of Chelsea, Michigan. 5. submitted on September 22, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.