Belding in Ionia County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Belding City Hall

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, February 1, 2023

1. Belding City Hall Marker

Inscription. On April 1, 1912, the citizens of Belding voted to issue a $15,000 bond to build a new city hall. At the time, the city jail was housed in an old barn and the dilapidated building rented by the city as a firehouse was called a “burning shame.” Belding was then a growing city made prosperous by the silk industry. Dedicated on Decoration Day (now known as Memorial Day) 1913, the new City Hall consolidated local services into a modern building. This Classical Revival brick and sandstone building was designed by the Grand Rapids based architectural firm Osgood and Osgood. City Hall has housed numerous social and civic functions, including local Civil War veterans organized in Dan S. Root Post 126 of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Rebuilt after a devastating 1893 fire, Belding’s downtown featured brick paved streets lined by service, retail and entertainment store-fronts. Between 1970 and 1972 most of the downtown and all but one block of Main Street, around sixty buildings, were razed to provide space for parking and a modern shopping plaza. Belding City Hall was one of the few historic downtown buildings to survive this

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urban renewal effort. The early 1970s also saw City Hall’s interior remodeled, and in 1973 the fire department annex was added to the east side of the building. City Hall, with its fine interior details, including white oak trim and pressed-tin wall and ceiling panels, remains Belding’s most visible testament to the community’s past.

Erected 2012 by Michigan HIstorical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2233.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is April 1, 1912.

Location. 43° 5.84′ N, 85° 13.793′ W. Marker is in Belding, Michigan, in Ionia County. It is at the intersection of East Congress Street and North Bridge Street, on the left when traveling east on East Congress Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 South Pleasant Street, Belding MI 48809, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan

and in Greater Grand Rapids.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, February 1, 2023

2. Belding City Hall Marker

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: Belding Civil War Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Belding World War I Memorial (about 500 feet away); Belding Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away); Belding Redskin Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away); Pere Marquette Railway Depot (about 500 feet away); SGT Warren C. Lane (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Pere Marquette Railway Depot (about 500 feet away); Belding Korean War Memorial (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belding.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, February 1, 2023

3. Belding City Hall Marker

Belding City Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, February 1, 2023

4. Belding City Hall

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, February 1, 2023

5. Belding City Hall

This plaque is located at the interior vestibule as a commemoration of the building's dedication.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 12, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.