Old West Side in Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
A Landmark of Civic Pride on Courthouse Square
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, September 10, 2021
1. A Landmark of Civic Pride on Courthouse Square Marker
Inscription.
A Landmark of Civic Pride on Courthouse Square. . As laid out by village founders John Allen and Elisha Rumsey in 1824, the county courthouse block was to be a spacious town square surrounded by commercial blocks. Until the 1950s, Courthouse Square hummed with the activities that made Ann Arbor the focus of civic and business life in the county. The broad green open space was the choice site for parades, public speeches, political rallies, band concerts, and community events. Many of the area's most prominent hotels, live entertainment venues, banks, eating places, saloons, and other small retail and service businesses ringed the Square. Postal, telegraph, and newspaper offices were centered here and provided communication with the outside world. , , With its seven-story clock tower and park-like setting, the second courthouse was downtown's major architectural landmark from 1878 to the 1950s. The seat of Washtenaw County government and courts, it was a grand presence. It proclaimed the vitality and importance of Ann Arbor in the commercial, civic, and cultural life of the region. , Building decay, combined with a vigorous campaign for more space and a modern image, led the County to replace it with the courthouse you now see on the site. Then-mayor William Brown stated the assumptions of the era perfectly: "The present courthouse was built before the turn of the century. , Need I say more?"
As laid out by village founders John Allen and Elisha Rumsey in 1824, the county courthouse block was to be a spacious town square surrounded by commercial blocks. Until the 1950s, Courthouse Square hummed with the activities that made Ann Arbor the focus of civic and business life in the county. The broad green open space was the choice site for parades, public speeches, political rallies, band concerts, and community events. Many of the area's most prominent hotels, live entertainment venues, banks, eating places, saloons, and other small retail and service businesses ringed the Square. Postal, telegraph, and newspaper offices were centered here and provided communication with the outside world.
With its seven-story clock tower and park-like setting, the second courthouse was downtown's major architectural landmark from 1878 to the 1950s. The seat of Washtenaw County government and courts, it was a grand presence. It proclaimed
the vitality and importance of Ann Arbor in the commercial, civic, and cultural life of the region.
Building decay, combined with a vigorous campaign for more space and a modern image, led the County to replace it with the courthouse you now see on the site. Then-mayor William Brown stated the assumptions of the era perfectly: "The present courthouse was built before the turn of the century.
Need
Location. 42° 16.879′ N, 83° 44.918′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in the Old West Side. Marker is at the intersection of South Main Street and West Huron Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 108 S Main St, Ann Arbor MI 48104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. A Landmark of Civic Pride on Courthouse Square Marker
Courthouse across the intersection
sectionhead>More about this marker. The marker glass is cracked and difficult to read in areas.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, September 10, 2021
3. A Landmark of Civic Pride on Courthouse Square Marker
Inset photo (top right) caption: Completed in 1834, the first courthouse in Washtenaw County stood at the Ann Street side of the square facing south. The painted brick structure was razed in 1878.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, September 10, 2021
4. Present day Washtenaw County Courthouse
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on November 14, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 13, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.