Birmingham in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Johnston-Shaw Building

Photographed by Frank Clarkston, July 24, 2025

1. Johnston-Shaw Building Marker

Inscription. Dr. Daniel Johnston, dentist, and Dr. Ninian T. Shaw, a physician, had this two story brick commercial building erected in 1905. The facade of this building was extended north to include the O'Neal Building (112 South Old Woodward) and give the appearance of a single structure. In 1913, the buildings were the first in the Village to use gas for heating. Also, the first Lutheran Church services held in Birmingham were conducted on the second floor. Although the balustrade, the bracketed cornice, and the second floor bay windows have been removed, notice the colorful bricks with purplish hue and dark mortar fill, the stylized brick quoins, and granite keystones over the windows.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 42° 32.79′ N, 83° 12.857′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is at the intersection of South Old Woodward Avenue and Maple Road, on the right when traveling south on South Old Woodward Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham

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MI 48009, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

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: Ford Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The National Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Billy McBride Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Erity-Nixon Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Bell Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Quarton Building (about 300 feet away); Field Building (about 300 feet away); The Birmingham Theater Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 26, 2015

2. Johnston-Shaw Building Marker

Johnston-Shaw Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 26, 2015

3. Johnston-Shaw Building

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 486 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 24, 2025, by Frank Clarkston of Clawson, Michigan. 2, 3. submitted on July 27, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.