Belding in Ionia County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Belrockton Dormitory
Photographed By Cameron Zwart, May 5, 2012
1. Belrockton Dormitory Marker
Built in 1906, the Belrockton is the last remaining boardinghouse of the three provided by the Belding Brothers and Company for its single female workers. A major silk manufacturer in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the company employed hundreds of young women and earned Belding the title of “Silk City of the World.” Providing accom[m]odations for one hundred residents and staff, the Belrockton Dormitory, a Classical Revival-inspired building, was erected at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. Following the closing of the company's silk mills in 1935, the “Bel” served as a residential training center for the National Youth Administration. In 1943 the building became a recreation center. The city of Belding purchased the structure in 1950 to serve as a community center. In 1987 it became the home of the Belding Museum.
Erected 1993 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number 1747.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included
this page online
Location. 43° 5.858′ N, 85° 13.573′ W. Marker is in Belding, Michigan, in Ionia County. Marker is at the intersection of Hanover Street and East Main Street, on the right when traveling north on Hanover Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 108 Hanover Street, Belding MI 48809, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Alvah N. Belding Library (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Alvah N. Belding Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Pere Marquette Railway Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Pere Marquette Railway Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Belding City Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Belding Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Belding Redskin Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Belding Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belding.
Also see . . .
1. Belrockton Dormitory in Belding. Lost in Michigan website entry (Submitted on March 17, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Belding Brothers & Company, Silk Manufacturers. Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library website entry (Submitted on May 11, 2012, by Cameron Zwart of Belding, Michigan.)
3. Belding Museum
Photographed By Cameron Zwart, May 5, 2012
2. Belrockton Dormitory
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, February 1, 2023
3. Belrockton Dormitory
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2012, by Cameron Zwart of Belding, Michigan. This page has been viewed 751 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 11, 2012, by Cameron Zwart of Belding, Michigan. 3. submitted on February 12, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
