Buchanan in Berrien County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Buchanan North & West Neighborhoods

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 6, 2024

1. Buchanan North & West Neighborhoods Marker, Side One

Inscription. This historic district dates to 1842, when mill owner John Hamilton platted Buchanan. Many early residents worked in milling. Late 19th and 20th century industries, including Zinc Collar Pad, furniture factories, Electro-Voice and Clark Equipment, spurred growth. Civic work included planning the 1923 Buchanan High School, Katherine Kingery led the 1920s effort to convert an abandoned cemetery into a playground. The district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

istrict have had diverse occupations and civic interests, and included city leaders, merchants, teachers, executives, and industrial and skilled workers. The 20th century automotive designer Virgil Exner grew up here. From the 1840s to 1961, over three distinct eras, residents built their homes in more than twenty different architectural styles, particularly Italianate; Gable Front and Wing; Prairie; Arts and Crafts; various Revivals; Bungalow and Ranch.

Erected 2015 by the Michigan Historical Commission and the Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number 2777.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 41° 49.635′ N, 86°

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22.013′ W. Marker is in Buchanan, Michigan, in Berrien County. It is at the intersection of West Front Street and South Detroit Street, on the left when traveling west on West Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 313 W Front St, Buchanan MI 49107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan

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

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pears Mill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Buchanan Downtown (approx. 0.3 miles away); Downtown Buchanan National Register Historic District / Downtown Buchanan Arts & Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Moccasin Bluff (approx. 1.6 miles away); Portage Prairie United Methodist Church (approx. 3.4 miles away); Carey Mission (approx. 4.3 miles away); Saint Mary’s (approx. 5.3 miles away); Johnson Cemetery (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buchanan.

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry for Virgil Exner. Excerpt

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Virgil Exner was adopted by George W. and Iva Exner as a baby. Virgil showed a strong interest in art and automobiles. He went to Buchanan High School in Buchanan, Michigan then studied art at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana but, in 1928, dropped out after two years due to lack of funds. He then took a job as a helper at an art studio specializing in advertising. ...

His first work in design was for General Motors, where he was hired by GM styling czar
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 6, 2024

2. Buchanan North & West Neighborhoods Marker, Side Two
Harley Earl. Before age 30, he was in charge of Pontiac styling. ... [He] was hired directly by Studebaker in South Bend, Indiana. There he was involved in the design of some of the first cars with all new styling to be produced after World War II (Studebaker's slogan during this period was "First by far with a post war car"). As acknowledged by Robert Bourke, Virgil was the final designer of the acclaimed 1947 Studebaker Starlight coupe, though Raymond Loewy received the public acknowledgment because his legendary name was a major advertising attraction. Exner is actually listed as the sole inventor on the design patent.

(Submitted on May 14, 2024.)

Buchanan North & West Neighborhoods Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 6, 2024

3. Buchanan North & West Neighborhoods Marker

Buchanan North & West Neighborhoods Houses image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 6, 2024

4. Buchanan North & West Neighborhoods Houses

Buchanan North & West Neighborhoods House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 6, 2024

5. Buchanan North & West Neighborhoods House

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 14, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.