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.
Midland Street Commercial District. . 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, 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.
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, 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
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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.)
Location. 43° 36.122′ N, 83° 53.824′ W. Marker is in Bay City, Michigan, in Bay County. Marker 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.
3. A view looking west from the corner of East Midland Street and Litchfield Street.
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 225 times since then and 25 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.