Big Rapids in Mecosta County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Nisbett Block
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 5, 2017
1. Nisbett Block Marker
Erected 2009 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L547.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location. 43° 41.894′ N, 85° 28.899′ W. Marker is in Big Rapids, Michigan, in Mecosta County. It is at the intersection of Maple Street (State Highway 20) and South Michigan Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Maple Street. The marker is partially obscured by a bus shelter. Touch for map. Marker is at or
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in West 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: Historic Downtown (within shouting distance of this marker); Fairman Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Ferris State College (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Historic Downtown (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Historic Downtown (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Historic Downtown (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Historic Downtown (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Historic Downtown (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 5, 2017
2. Nisbett Block
Also see . . .
1. Nisbett Building. Wikipedia article about the Nisbett Building. (Submitted on August 9, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Nisbett Building. The Nesbitt Building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. An excerpt from the Nomination Form:
Construction on the Nisbett Building began in 1885, financed by Daniel F. Comstock, one of the community's leading business entrepreneurs and bankers. Since Big Rapids was a lumbering town (on the Muskegon River), construction of such a large building was an indication of Comstock's efforts to ensure the continued existence of the city once 1urrbering ended. The Maple Street facade was finished and the remainder of the building enclosed at a cost of $150,000. Construction apparently stopped with the onset of the 1890s depression (second only to the Great Depression in severity). As happened to other bankers, the depression and its associated specie shortage led to Comstock's bankruptcy in 1896. The building went to the Michigan Trust Company of Grand Rapids as trustee for Comstock's(Submitted on July 18, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)creditors. In 1900 it was so1d to William P. Nisbett for $20,000. Nisbett, a retired newspaper editor, who had been and continued to be very active in efforts to attract new business to Big Rapids, completed construction of the second and part of the third floors. Architecturally, it was the largest and most ornate building in Mecosta County and was directly tied to the business and commercial interest of Big Rapids.circa 19103. The Nisbett Block, Big Rapids, Mich.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 546 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3. submitted on August 11, 2017.
