Marine City in St. Clair County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

David and Laura Lester House

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 26, 2011

1. David and Laura Lester House Marker

Inscription. This house was likely built in stages between around 1855 and 1885 and reflects the prominence of David and Laura Rice Lester. David Lester (1823-1890), a shipbuilder, a ship owner, and a salt producer, played a key role in Marine City's economic and civic development. As a young man he scouted timberland for shipping magnate Eber Brock Ward. Then, in 1855, Lester built the FORREST, the first vessel constructed at his own Marine City shipyard. Nearly two decades later thousands of people attended the launch of the 233-foot steamer V. H. KETCHUM, the largest ship on the Great Lakes at the time. Lester and his brother Philander built 62 ships and helped make Marine City an important shipbuilding center.

Erected 2008 by Michigan Historical Commission-Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2197.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 42° 42.965′ N, 82° 29.676′ W. Marker is in Marine City, Michigan, in St. Clair County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and East St. Clair Street on South Main

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Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 406 South Main Street, Marine City MI 48039, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in one of the Lake Huron 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 Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Newport Academy (within shouting distance of this marker); New Orleans Anchor (within shouting distance of this marker); Emily Ward Academy Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Walking Plow (within shouting distance of this marker); United Methodist Church Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Anchor Bay Anchor (within shouting distance of this marker); The Marine City 1866 - 1880 (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mary (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marine City.

Also see . . . Lester House. (Submitted on September 26, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

David and Laura Lester House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 26, 2011

2. David and Laura Lester House and Marker

David and Laura Lester House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 22, 2018

3. David and Laura Lester House

Photographed by Joel Seewald, September 22, 2018

4. David and Laura Lester House

View of the house and four-car garage from East St. Clair Street.

David and Laura Lester House Information Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 26, 2011

5. David and Laura Lester House Information Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,525 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on September 26, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 5. submitted on March 27, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.