Centreville in St. Joseph County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
St. Joseph County Courthouse
(Front Side)
Michigan Territorial Governor George B. Porter proclaimed Centreville the St. Joseph County seat on November 22, 1831. On November 7, 1831, Robert Clark Jr., Electra W. Dean, Charles Noble and Daniel B. Miller donated the public square and fifty-six additional lots to the county. The first courthouse, a Greek Revival structure with four large columns on its east portico, was built in the center of the square in 1842 by John Bryan. That building was removed in 1899, to make way for the present red brick and sandstone courthouse, whose construction began on September 8 of that year. Grand Rapids architect Sydney J. Osgood designed the Romanesque Revival structure, and Coldwater contractors Crookshank and Somers built it at a cost of $33,000.
(Back Side)
The present St. Joseph County courthouse was dedicated on August 1, 1900. Its Romanesque Revival design creates a commodious, well-lighted, solid building that echos the justice and stability it represents. Marble floors, wide spacious stairs, ornately carved woodwork, frosted glass doors and three wall murals still grace the little-altered interior. The clock, whose faces are five and one-half feet in diameter, was purchased by the Village of Centreville for $850 and placed in the seventy-five-foot tower prior to the completion of the courthouse. When the building became too small to accommodate all of the government offices, a new courts building was constructed on the south side of the public square. The courthouse, however, remains the seat of government.
Erected 1988 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1150A.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1887.
Location. 41° 55.407′ N, 85° 31.661′ W. Marker is in Centreville, Michigan, in St. Joseph County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street (State Highway 86) and South Clark Street, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 W Main St, Centreville MI 49032, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Saint Joseph County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); St. Joseph County Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); One Hundredth Anniversary of Centreville (within shouting distance of this marker); Site Of First St. Joseph County Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); Leverett and Amanda Clapp House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Centreville Civil War Monument (approx. half a mile away); Stewart House (approx. 2 miles away); Langley Covered Bridge (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Centreville.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2012, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 485 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on April 19, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 9, 2012, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 4, 5. submitted on March 16, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.