Lansing in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Woodbury-Kerns House

Photographed by Bill Rieske, May 17, 2017

1. Woodbury-Kerns House Marker

Inscription. Darius B. Moon, prominent turn-of-the century Lansing architect, designed this Queen Anne house in 1896 for Chester E. Woodbury, founder of the Lansing Capitol Savings and Loan Association. The structure’s last residential owner was William G. Kerns, who owned the Kerns Hotel, which stood in North Grand Avenue. Kerns’ family sold the house to Michigan State Medical Society in 1951. Extensively remodeled in 1951, the house is one of the few remaining structures designed by Moon. It became the State headquarters of the Michigan Democratic Party in 1977.

Erected 1981 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number 766.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 42° 43.624′ N, 84° 33.34′ W. Marker is in Lansing, Michigan, in Ingham County. It is on Townsend Street, on the right when traveling south. On Townsend Street between the Michigan Capitol and I-496.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 606 Townsend Street, Lansing MI 48933, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Mid-Michigan.

It is also 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: Michigan Sheriffs' Association (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Michigan Manufacturer's Association (about 400 feet away); Olds Returns to Lansing (about 700 feet away); Malcolm X (about 700 feet away); Scott Sunken Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ransom Eli Olds (approx. 0.2 miles away); History of the Automobile in Lansing (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cooley Gardens (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lansing.

Additional commentary.
1.
I am Chester Woodbury's great granddaughter. While researching this house, where my grandfather, Charles Goodrich Woodbury, grew up,

Woodbury-Kerns House with Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Rieske, May 17, 2017

2. Woodbury-Kerns House with Marker

I noticed a mis-entry. The name in picture caption and on historical marker are incorrect. Mr Woodbury's middle name was Downer, so information should read "Chester D. Woodbury" rather than "Chester E. Woodbury."

— Submitted May 24, 2019, by Susanna Janes of Mercer Island, Washington.

Additional keywords. Darius B. Moon

Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. This page has been viewed 739 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 18, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.