Bay City in Bay County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Center Avenue

Photographed By Kathy Garman, July 25, 2020

1. Center Avenue Marker

This is the marker located at the east end of Center Avenue.

Inscription. Center Avenue presents one of the most spectacular displays of late nineteenth and early twentieth century residential architecture in Michigan. Between 1870 and 1940 Bay City´s prominent citizens favored Center Avenue as "the" place to live. Early in this period lumbermen built lavish residences. After 1900 lumbering declined and the city´s economy diversified. Leaders in the sugar beet, coal, shipbuilding, and other industries built stylish homes that reflected their substantial fortunes. Local architects such as Pratt and Koeppe, Clark and Munger, and Philip Floeter designed many of the buildings. Monumental churches and other public structures, like the Masonic Temple, complement the residences. Center Avenue is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 2003 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2122.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 43° 35.735′ N, 83° 51.272′ W. Marker is in Bay City, Michigan, in Bay County. Marker is at the intersection of Center Avenue (Michigan Route 25) and Livingston

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Street, on the right when traveling west on Center Avenue. Located on the NW corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bay City MI 48706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Franck Chicory Company (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Joseph Catholic Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Charles B. & Georgiana (McGraw) Curtiss House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Trinity Church/Trinity Episcopal Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Beet Sugar Industry (approx. 1.3 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 1.4 miles away); Bay City Branch Library (approx. 1.4 miles away); George H. & Elva Shearer House (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bay City.

Additional commentary.
1. Center Avenue Historical Marker, West End
The second of the two Center Avenue markers is located about 1.5 miles away, near the southeast corner of Center and North Madison Avenues (see marker 33961).

— Submitted November 27, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills.

Photographed By Kathy Garman, July 25, 2020

2. Center Avenue Marker

Looking east up Center Avenue.

Photographed By John Garman, July 25, 2020

3. Center Avenue Marker

Looking west across Livingston Street.

The Thomas E. Webster House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Garman, July 25, 2020

4. The Thomas E. Webster House

One of the many historic homes located along Historic Center Avenue

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 27, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. 4. submitted on November 28, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.