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Manistee County, Michigan
Historic Building and Walking Tour
Manistee, Rich in History and Architecture
Manistee has a rich history, dating to the very early days of the lumber industry. European settlers arrived in 1841 and started a small mill establishing the lumber industry. The business of cutting trees led to a period of unprecedented prosperity that lasted well into the to 20th century. The port of Manistee bustled for many years with daily visits from a variety of freighters.
On October 8, 1871, the same day as the Great Chicago Fire and fires throughout the midwest, more than half of the city of Manistee burned. Within a year, the wooden buildings that had been destroyed were replaced by brick structures, many of which were designed by famous architects of that period. Monuments to the prosperous Victorian Era, a good number are still standing, enjoyed and admired by residents and visitors alike. Today, it’s not the lumber era that draws visitors to the Manistee area, it’s the beauty of our surroundings and the many things to see and do year round. Stroll through our neighborhoods and admire the surviving “Painted Ladies” and the carefully restored downtown shops and buildings. Whatever the reason, whatever the season, we’re glad you are here. Welcome to Manistee County.
1 MANISTEE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM- A.H. LYMAN
STORE (1883): 425 River St. (231) 723-5531 Dedicated
as the Russell Memorial Building, this structure remains as it was in 1905. The
A. H. Lyman Drug Co. was the consolidation of three of Manistee’s early drug
companies. The A. H. Lyman Co. was the largest drug company north of Grand
Rapids by 1890. In 1892 the store expanded and took over 425 River and included
a school book department. The business continued at this location after the
death of A. H. in 1896 under a corporation of employees headed by F. W. White.
The druggist portion of the store closed when Mr. White died in 1951. The
school book department continued until 1957. In 1960 the White family gave the
building to the museum. A special drug exhibit is kept in remembrance of the
store’s earlier history. Museum displays include the Lyman Drug Store, period
rooms, and one of the most extensive collections of Victorian antiques and
photographs in the state. Nominal admission charge. Open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m. -
5 p.m., June - Sept.; Tues. - Sat., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Oct. -May.
2 MANISTEE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM- THE WATERWORKS BUILDING (1881): 540 First St. Preserved as the county’s first historical museum, this building now houses logging, railroad, and marine exhibits and memorabilia of Manistee in the nineteenth century. Open 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Tues. - Sat., late June -Aug.
3 THE
RAMSDELL THEATRE (1903): 101 Maple St. Business Office
(231) 723-7188, Box Office 723-9948
Designed by famed architect Solon S. Beman for local lawyer and philanthropist
Thomas Jefferson Ramsdell at a cost of $100,000, this ornate theatre boasts an
act curtain by Walter Burridge, the scenic artist who designed the sets for the
original stage production of “The Wizard of Oz”; a 26 ft. Gilded proscenium; and
original murals bedecking the dome and newly restored lobby. The Manistee Civic
Players present theatrical productions and concerts year-round, the Manistee Art
Institute hosts art exhibits in the T. Walter Hardy Exhibit hall. Wed. & Sat.,
June 18- September 6, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Tours of theatre complex available
year-round.
4 HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH (1888) & RECTORY (1890): 410 Second St., (231) 723-2078 Built of hewn stone, Richard Upjohn designed this little church in the Norman style with the altar at the top of the traditional cross design. It is one of a very few hewn stone buildings in this area. Built in Norman style, it contains many memorials to prominent Manistee pioneers. Rectory not open for viewing. Saturdays Only, July-August 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
5 THE BABCOCK HOUSE MUSEUM (1881): 420 Third St., (231) 723-9803 This ornate brick residence, embellished with a turret and three bay windows, was built by prominent lumberman Simeon Babcock, and remained in that family into 1915. The opulent interior, with working gas lighting, is typical of the homes that Manistee’s wealthy built during the town’s golden era. Principal rooms on the lower floor are open for viewing; visitors will also see and hear coin-operated pianos and antique phonographs from the owner’s collections. Open National Preservation Week in May and July through the Victorian Port City Festival Wed. and Sat., 1 p.m.- 4 p.m., or by appointment year-round. Tours are $4 per person.
6 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (1892): 412 Fourth St., (231) 723-5361 Designed by famed architect William Le Baron Jenney, this Romanesque Church contains two Tiffany windows, two windows which were displayed at the 1893 Columbian Exposition, and a Nels Johnson Tower Clock. For special group tours phone (231) 723-3426 or (231) 723-2131. Wed. & Sat., June 28-August 30, & September 6, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
7 OUR SAVIOUR HISTORICAL CHURCH MUSEUM (1869): 300 Walnut St., (231) 723-9486 Looking just as it did a century ago, this church is the oldest existing Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Its octagonal spire, finial weather vane, and hand carved sailing ship reflect Danish influence. The hand carved pulpit, ornate altar, grained woodwork, and historical displays, provide an insight to early Scandinavian church life in America. Open at special request throughout the year. Saturdays Only, July-August 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
8 MANISTEE FIRE HALL (1888): 281 First St., (231) 723-1549 The Manistee Fire Hall is a two-story, crossgabled, Romanesque Revival-style building, rests on a fieldstone foundation. It is flanked by a two-and-one half story copper domed tower. Designed by architect F.W. Hollister, the structure is unique in that it has not undergone any alterations in usage or design since it was built. It is the oldest continuously operating fire hall in Michigan. DUE TO STAFFING NO TOURS ARE GIVEN
The following locations (numbers 9 through 15) are not on the map. Please call our office for directions if needed.
9 LAKE BLUFF AUDUBON CENTER: 2890 Lakeshore Rd., (231) 723-2625 Lake Bluff has over 70 acres of fields, beech-maple woods, Lake Michigan beach, and an arboretum with many species of trees not normally found in Northern Michigan and two state champion trees. Waterfowl and Accipiter observation, and bird trails are activities taking place at this site. Saturdays Only, July-August 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
11 ARCADIA MUSEUMS: 3340 Lake St., Arcadia (231) 889-4360 or (231) 889-4754. Artifacts, furniture and local history. Open May 1 through Labor Day, Thursday through Sundays. Donation.
12 KALEVA BOTTLE HOUSE MUSEUM: corner of Kauko St. and Wuoski Ave., Kaleva (231) 362-3411; (231) 362-3258 Built by John Makinen out of 60,000 bottles from the local bottling factory, today it houses the museum. Summers Sat.-Sun. 12-4 p.m.
13 KALEVA TRAIN DEPOT: Inquire at Bottle House Museum. Completely restored depot built in the early 1900’s. It serviced the Manistee and Northeastern (M&NE) and the Pere Marquette railroad systems until the late 1970’s. Houses railroad memorabilia. Summers Saturday, 12-4 p.m.
15 MARILLA MUSEUM: 9911 Marilla Rd., (231) 362-3425 or (231) 362-3263 In the former Marilla Schoolhouse (which is now the township hall) and also includes the recreated Nelson cabin, log house from Yates, a barn with farm machinery, 1800’s kitchen, living room, bedroom, and school room; 100-year old hand woven quilt, original post office boxes from the Marilla Post Office that was in the Brimmer store, theatre curtain painted by a Marilla school teacher, WWI and WWII artifacts and records, 1800’s township seal and a diorama/model of the Marilla area as it was in the 1920’s.
SELF-GUIDED
RESIDENTIAL WALKING TOUR
This tour guide is not intended to be a complete history of Manistee’s
residential area, but enough history
to give you a taste of what early Manistee
may have been like. Take a leisurely stroll around these
beautiful homes and
savor their flavor and beauty.
16 THE NOUD HOME: 202 Maple St. Patrick Noud had this home designed by the nationally famous “Chicago School” architects Holabird and Roche. Built in 1894-1895 of red brick, the three-story home in the Colonial Revival style has recently been carefully restored.
17 THE WILLIAM WENTE HOME: 212 Oak St Built in the 1880's in the Italianate style with wrought iron detailing, this home has been extensively remodeled as an apartment house. The mansard roof was an 1899 alteration by Saginaw architect F.W. Hollister while the enclosed porches are post-Victorian era additions.
18 THE HART HOME: 405 Oak St. This vernacular home was completed in 1883 by Gilbert Young who sold it to George A. Hart the same year. Hart, a real estate agent, built the city’s streetcar system and he also developed an extensive “show farm” north of Manistee which is today’s Orchard Beach State Park.
19 THE LAIRD HOME: 402 Maple St. This Victorian Gothic home has remained relatively unaltered. It was built in 1882 by Captain Laird, official harbormaster.
20 THE BYRON CUTCHEON RESIDENCE 404 Fifth St. General Byron Cutcheon, lawyer, military leader, historian, and politician, built this vernacular home in the 1870's.
21 THE LARSEN HOME: corner of 5th & Maple St. This two and half story home is built in the Colonial Revival Style. It was constructed in 1905-1906 for H.B. Larsen, a retail merchant who was an early pioneer to Manistee from Denmark.
22 THE DEMPSEY HOUSE: 506 Maple St. James Dempsey, lumberman, built this home in 1895. It was designed by one of the well known Chicago architects of the time and an example of Queen Anne style.
23 THE ENGLEMANN HOUSE: 515 Maple St. This Italian Villa style home was probably built shortly after the Civil War. Around 1879, it was purchased by Michael Englemann, who had arrived in 1849 a penniless, young immigrant. Engelmann added rooms every year until it reached the extensive proportions seen today.
24 THE LEONARD HOME: 421 Fifth St. This simple Victorian Brick home is believed to have been built in 1874 by Dr. William Fischer. It was later owned by lumberman and merchant Azro B. Leonard and photographer Jacob Hanselmann.
25 THE SALLING HOME: 461 Fifth St. This vernacular home evolved through a number of additions that were built in the 1870's and 1880's by Earnest Nelson Salling, local lumberman. It was again enlarged around 1900, and all of the gingerbread was removed.
26 THE DOUGLAS HOME: 521 Pine St. Originally called a simple “Lakeshore Cottage” this Queen Anne home was built by Lewis M. Haines upon his marriage in 1884. Haines was unable to afford the home, and it was sold by mortgagers to Anna Douglas in 1890. Her husband was a partner of Buckley & Douglas Lumber Company and the Manistee & Northeastern Railroad.
27. THE FALLEEN HOME: 432 Spruce St. The Second Empire home is one of the few examples of this style which still has a Mansard roof, originally built in the 1870's.
28 THE SECOND BUCKLEY HOME: 450 Cedar St. James Shrigley built this home in 1875 as a two story Victorian Gothic surrounded by carefully landscaped grounds. It was bought by Edward Buckley who spent $50,000 remodeling the home in 1894 as a Free Classic Queen Anne. A third floor ballroom was added, the windows were changed, and a torch and wreath theme was carried on throughout the house.
29 THE BUCKLEY CARRIAGE HOUSE: 531Broad Ave. The French Provincial style carriage house was designed by the well known Chicago architects, Holabird and Roche. Although the plans of the building are dated 1895, it is believed to have been built several years later.
30 THE VINCENT HOME: 432 Cedar St. William Vincent, a prominent civil engineer, built this Queen Anne style home in 1885. The house today remains in the Vincent family. The barn, located behind the house has been rehabilitated and converted into a fine residence.
31 THE SECOND CANFIELD HOME: 410 Cedar St. This Greek Revival home was built in the 1860's, as a large two-story structure with a tower in the middle. When the new Canfield mansion was built in the early 1870's on Fourth Street the tower was removed and the two remaining sections were pulled apart and moved creating the two houses at 410 Cedar and 414 Cedar. These were occupied by two of the Canfield daughters and their families.
32 THE E.D. WHEELER HOME: 515 Fourth St. The home that stood here was three and a half stories tall, built in the 1880's in the half-timbered Queen Anne style from plans prepared by William Le Baron Jenney. The house now on the property was built from the brick of the house, as was the home built behind it.
33 THE CANFIELD BARN SITE: 490 Fourth St. The home now standing here is built on the original site of the Canfield Barn from the brick of that structure. The barn, which was razed in 1935, was built in 1876, as an early example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style.
34 THE BENEDICT HOME: 500 Third St. This home was the three-story residence of E.E. Benedict, a lawyer. It was built in 1875 and was originally an example in the Second Empire style. In the 1950's the upper stories were removed and the house was remodeled in the Prairie style.
35 THE FIRST BUCKLEY HOME: 517 First St. This is Manistee’s finest Greek Revival home, built in the early 1860's by D.L. Filer, and later rented by Edward Buckley. The home has survived for 140 years and two fires with limited alterations to the exterior.
36 THE DOUVILLE HOME: 111 Pine St. This house was built in the early 1880's by Eugene E. Douville, a prominent local businessman, in the Carpenter Gothic style.
37 THE E.P. CASE HOME: 467 Fourth St. This Gothic Revival home, which was built in 1880, may appear modest, but it is perhaps one of the most significant structures in Manistee. It was designed by William Le Baron Jenney, a famous Chicago architect, who designed seven other buildings in Manistee, five of which were razed. The Congregational Church, located on Fourth and Oak Streets, is the other remaining Jenney structure.
38 THE DELBRIDGE HOME: 400 Cedar St. D.W. Mowatt, who built this home shortly after the Great Fire of 1871, sold it in 1879 to James B. Delbridge, who is believed to have rebuilt the home in the Victorian Eclectic style using the materials from his planning mill and sash factory. The home was stuccoed by George M. Burr shortly after he purchased it in 1910.
39 THE NYE HOME: 512 Fourth St. Built in 1924, this home was initially described as a Bungalow with Early American rustic characteristics. The home was built by George and Belle Nye on the site with materials recycled from the earlier 26-room mansion of one of Manistee’s leading lumbermen, John Canfield. The original iron fence installed by Canfield in 1876 still surrounds the entire block.
40 THE MEAD HOME: 403 First St. This Queen Anne style home was built in 1887 by Dr. Richard Mead, prominent physician and surgeon, and his wife Jennie A. Mead. Described at the time as a home of “quiet elegance,” it still showcases fine Victorian workmanship and design. After 50 years as a rooming house, it is once again a single-family home.
41 THE MCALVAY HOME: 495 Eighth St. This vernacular Victorian home was built in 1885 by a prominent local lawyer, A.V. McAlvay, who went on to become Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. The home was described in contemporary articles as a “comfortable and elegant, rather than flashy showiness, a residence second to none in the city.”
42 THE GOLDEN FILER HOME: 2600 Filer City Rd. Architect E. Golden Filer and contractor C.C. Gee built this Carpenter Gothic Style in 1875. The Filer family purchased 40 acres at the south end of Manistee Lake and moved their mills there in 1869. They subdivided the area and set aside this large piece of land for the home of E. Golden Filer, who was the onsite manager of the firm. It is on a site of a previous home that burned. Golden Filer’s wife Julia passed away in 1912, he occupied the home until his death in 1921 and his sister in-law Mattie remained in the home until her death in 1926. A short time later the home became the office of Filer Fibre Corporation, which became Packaging Corporation of America. In 1976 Ervin and Mary Ilene Kowalski, who carefully restored the home and returned it to a single-family dwelling, purchased it.
43 THE WOLTERS RESIDENCE: 421 Cedar St. Built in 1908 by Architect Albert E. Colcord. William and Mary Vincent built this Craftsman Style home for their daughter Margaret as a wedding gift for her marriage to Ray Wolters. Mary Vincent had purchased the lot in 1882 for $600. When the home was completed a newspaper reported it was “very attractive and adds to the beauty of Cedar Street.” The Craftsman style, made popular by Gusav Stickley, was intended to be practical and aesthetic. It has been called the best example of Craftsman Style in this neighborhood.
45 BOYER AGENCY: 258 River St. After six blocks burned in the Great Fire of 1871, construction began. On the east end of the street Peter Jones built his residence and drug store. It was occupied for the next eighty years and then turned into a general store for the next 15 to 20 years. It was later used as the passenger station for the Manistee and N. E. Railroad.
46 THE BRINY INN: 50 Filer St. The healing mineral baths of the Briny Inn were opened in 1903. Rooms were added to accommodate overnight guests. In a three year span the rooms were in such great demand that the inn was expanded to 45 rooms. The Briny Inn became the finest hotel in Manistee, forcing the Dunham House to close in 1912. At the cost of $2 to $3 per day, the Briny Inn provided first class rooms and semi-private baths. In 1917 the Briny was gutted by fire. The owners decided to renovate the Dunham House instead of the Briny. The cost: $100,000. Since that time the Briny Inn has been the Cooper Underwear Factory, Manistee Shoes, a warehouse and a multi-use commercial and office building.
47 THE JACKPINE BUILDING: 76 Filer St. The Larsen Brothers were the sellers of second hand goods. So flourishing was their business that in 1879 they leased the brand new Taber Block. It was then reputed as the largest and finest showroom on the “easy coast.” Two of the brothers ran this business, expanding it in 1899 to the east, adding a clock tower and one of the first elevators in town. Their merchandise included everything from dry goods to clothing. In 1913 the original building burned and the existing building was built. The remaining Larsen brother rented the building to F. J. Zielinski and Co. It has since housed an A & P grocery store, Quality Discount, Montgomery Ward, Bear Furniture, and is again owned by three brothers who run a multi-faceted store.
48 SUNRISE FABRIC: 354 River St. In 1893 Joseph Kirster established his cigar factory in this building. He employed 15 people who were capable of turning out 500,000 cigars a year. Since those days this building has been the Park Food Store, the Rex Grill, The Pillars, and now Sunrise Fabric.
49 NATIONAL CITY BANK AND LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS TRIBAL OFFICES: 373-377 River St. After spending 15 years in two other locations, Manistee Bank & Trust built this building in 1906. Upon completion of the first floor, 14 tons and 23 men stood on the floor to test the structure. It sagged three sixteenths of an inch, without cracking. The safe doors weighed in at seven and a half tons and proved difficult to hang. The pillars on the bank are covered with scagliola, a marble-type substance. The mosaic floor marked the completion of the building in October 1907.
50 THE RAMSDELL INN: 399 River St. The construction of this building began after the structure that was there was torn down in 1891. It was built by T. J. Ramsdell, a leading attorney. The second floor had vaults installed that were two feet thick and considered among the most fire and burglar proof available. This floor was rented to the Manistee County Savings Bank for the next fifteen years. The downstairs was a drug store and then a restaurant. The upper floors were occupied by law offices. The upper floors have been recently renovated as a boutique hotel.
51 FORMER CITY DRUG STORE: 401 River St. This building was built by Lucas and Nungessor and is one of he oldest buildings in Manistee. The original structure was 48 x 70 feet and three stories tall. It housed the Lucas and Nungessor furniture business, a drug store, and several offices. In the late 1870s river Street was graded, leaving the front entrance to the building four feet above the ground. Stairs were used to reach the front door until the spring of 1883. At this time 268 screw lacks were placed under the building and it was lowered down onto its new foundation. All of the offices were left intact during the lowering and nothing moved from its place. Not even the glass in the windows was disturbed; incredibly since they measured 36 x 52 inches, the largest panes in town. There has always been a drug store in this building, and in 1975 City Drug moved here from its location in the lower level of the Ramsdell Building.
52 HALEY SISTER BLOCK: 419-423 River St. The three Haley sisters came to Manistee before the Great Fire of 1871 to start a millinery shop. It was destroyed in the fire and was quickly reestablished. The business was to burn down four more times in the next 12 years. During 1883, for example, most of the block burned down. In the spring of 1883, they began to build the store at 419 River. A month later, two storefronts at 421 and 423. Upon completion, an iron cornice was shipped from Wisconsin and placed on top, uniting the three buildings. The cornice was described as the most ornate in Manistee. Since then the three storefronts have housed drug stores and grocery stores, a funeral parlor, the Salvation Army, a restaurant and for many years housed a variety of stores.
53 75 OAK STREET: T. J. Ramsdell built this building in 1880. J. M. Ramsdell, who sold insurance, pianos, organs, and sewing machines, originally occupied the store. Others located there included the Giesman Insurance Co., Examiner Printing, and Bear North.
54 FIELD APARTMENTS: 64 Water St. Smith W. Fowler who was the editor of the Manistee Times and Sentinel built this home. Originally it was an Italianate building with a central tower and a widow’s walk. In 1890 it was bought by Dr. James King who remodeled it into a private home and hospital. It is one of the two houses in Manistee that has a mansard roof.
55 MANISTEE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY: 95 Maple St. In the late 1800s the Lakeside Club tried unsuccessfully to raise funds to build a public library. At that time the only facsimile to a library was the Temperance reading room and public school library. The turn of the century brought Andrew Carnegie’s program for the building of educational facilities if the city provided operating funds. Members of the city council and school board were successful in contacting Carnegie. The program allotted $35,000 for construction. The Lakeside Club collected money for the purchase of the property and the city agreed to provide operating funds. The library opened its doors in 1905.
56 CENTURY 21 Boardwalk: 113 Maple Street. Just one block South of the Ramsdell Theatre you will find the beautiful Gothic-Style Victorian House built in 1872-3. Clark D. Gardner and a business partner bought two corner lots on the corner of Second and Maple Streets and had two identical houses built. Gardner sold his immediately. Over the next 10-12 years, there were many owners who expanded and altered the house on Maple Street. In 1886 Mike Engelman bought it and gave it to his daughter for a wedding present. Gus Kitzinger and Sara Engelmann lived there for 10 years. Jacob Aarons, a successful merchant from Flint, Michigan bought it in 1898 and lived there for 30-40 years. It then became the Robert Topping Residence until the early '70's. After the Toppings moved out, the home switched hands a few more times again. Robert Palmer and Suzanne Riley purchased the home 1994. At the time of the purchase, no one had lived in the home for over 25 years. You'll be amazed at the preservation and rehabilitation that has been done. In 2001 the home was converted to a real estate office in hopes to show everyone what this town is all about.
57 THE VOGUE THEATER: 383 River Street, built in 1938 in the then popular Art Deco style, the Vogue was a part of a large midwestern chain owned by the Butherfield Theaters. The 935-seat building was one of the first air conditioned in the city utilizing water for that purpose from a well near the building. It has been in almost continuous use as a movie theater since it opened.