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

Midland Street Commercial District

Photographed by Kathy Garman, July 25, 2020

1. Midland Street Commercial District Marker, Side One

Inscription. The Midland Street Commercial District comprises fifty buildings in a four-block area that was the business hub of West Bay City. Prior to 1830 the area was occupied by Sauk and Chippewa Indians. In response to depleted eastern timberlands resulting from western expansion, New York lumberman Henry Sage and his partner Henry McGraw built a sawmill on the west bank of the Saginaw River in 1863. Wenona, the town that developed around the mill, was incorporated as Bay City in 1877. By 1867 plank roads were built, telegraph lines were installed, the Third Street Bridge was erected, and Wenona had become a terminus for both passenger and freight railroads. Midland Street soon housed the offices of many industries including salt, lumber, fishing and shipbuilding.

In 1867 Major Newcomb Clark built the first commercial structure on Midland Street in Wenona, later West Bay City. Clark was Wenona’s first village president and became speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives in 1885. The development that followed this initial construction project resulted in a collection of commercial buildings, dating from 1867 to 1929,

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on what became a major business corridor. Queen Anne, Romanesque, Georgian Revival, Art Deco and Chicago Style buildings reflect architectural trends over a sixty-year period. By 1905 the local lumber industry declined and West Bay City and Bay City incorporated as one municipality. This well-preserved district is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 1995 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1927C.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 43° 36.122′ N, 83° 53.824′ W. Marker is in Bay City, Michigan, in Bay County. It is at the intersection of East Midland Street and Litchfield Street, on the left when traveling east on East Midland Street. Litchfield Street serves as the entrance ramp to eastbound East Vermont Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bay City MI 48706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Midland Street Commercial District Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, July 25, 2020

2. Midland Street Commercial District Marker, Side Two

this marker is in Mid-Michigan

and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Bay County Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Sage Public Library (approx. 0.4 miles away); Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Sion Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); "Ten Hours or No Sawdust" (approx. 0.4 miles away); Of Legend And Legacy (approx. half a mile away); Keit's Florist (approx. 0.6 miles away); Paul P. Harris (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cross Country Connections (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bay City.

A view looking west from the corner of East Midland Street and Litchfield Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, July 25, 2020

3. A view looking west from the corner of East Midland Street and Litchfield Street.

Midland Street Commercial District image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Garman, July 25, 2020

4. Midland Street Commercial District

A view of the 700 Block looking east from the corner of East Midland Street and Linn Street.

Photographed by John Garman, July 25, 2020

5. Midland Street Commercial District

A view of the historic 600 Block of Midland Street, looking west from the corner of East Midland Street and Linn Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. This page has been viewed 634 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 24, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.