Marshall Historic District
Old Town · Marshall, Michigan
Marshall is a small city in Calhoun County, off I-94 roughly midway between Detroit and Chicago, whose downtown and surrounding streets form a National Historic Landmark district designated in 1991. It holds about 850 historic buildings, mostly Greek Revival, Italianate and Gothic Revival houses and commercial blocks from the 1830s to the 1880s. Marshall was a contender to become Michigan's capital and lost the 1847 vote to Lansing, and the growth that a capital would have brought never came, which is much of why so little was torn down. The best-known house is the Honolulu House, built in 1860 by Abner Pratt after he served as US consul in Hawaii, with an unusual Polynesian-influenced look. It suits architecture lovers, history fans and anyone breaking the Detroit to Chicago drive. Allow two to four hours. The streets are free to walk, but the museums are small and seasonal, so confirm hours before you go.
West Michigan Avenue, Marshall, Michigan, 49068, United States
The district is a living town, so the streets, sidewalks and exteriors of the houses are open to walk at any hour and cost nothing. The museums and house tours are what keep hours. The Honolulu House and other small museums, including the American Museum of Magic, are commonly open on a limited seasonal schedule, often late spring through autumn, and often closed on some weekdays, so confirm days and times before driving out. Downtown shops and antique stores usually keep ordinary retail hours and many close early on Sundays or Mondays. The annual Historic Home Tour, which opens private homes, is normally held in September; confirm the date and ticket arrangements with the Marshall area visitor centre or chamber.
Marshall Historic District on Spottos · Explore more places on Spottos