Random Galivants Around Ypsilanti

After lunch and a few more pictures in Depot Town, I decided to head to another part of Ypsilanti to take some pictures that I've been meaning to take for a while.  There are some pretty nice houses along Huron Street in Ypsilanti.  Many of them were built in the 1800's and as such have some significance to Ypsilanti history.

 The first place I stopped was the house that currently houses the Ypsilanti Historical Museum.  I didn't go in because it wasn't open yet but I think I'll put it on my list of places to visit.

 The building itself was built by Asa Dow in 1860.  He was a partner of Daniel Quirk and lived in this house while he was in Ypsilanti.  He was the first president of the First National Bank of Ypsilanti.  In 1864, Mr. Dow returned to Chicago after the death of his wife.  In 1865, the house was sold to Mr. Goodrich for $14,000 which at the time was a large sum of money.  Mr. Goodrich came to manage the Follett House which was Ypsilanti's largest and finest hotel.  In 1879, the house was sold to Mr. Barnes who was the superintendent of the Peninsular Paper Company (which has been featured on this blog once or twice).  In 1922, the house was bought and used as a rental even after its sale to the city in 1965.  In 1970, the house was offered to the Ypsilanti Historical Society, who used it for the museum.  In 2006, the house was formally sold to the museum.

 This house was built in 1860 for Daniel L. Quirk.  It is an example of the Second Empire Style and features and Mansard Roof.

 Daniel Quirk Sr. along with Asa Dow was instrumental in establishing the First National Bank of Ypsilanti.  He also had his hand in the Wabash Railroad and creation of the Peninsular Paper Company.  In 1914, this house was donated to the city of Ypsilanti and served as the city hall until 1977.

 This house was built in 1863 by Delos Showerman who was a local haberdasher.  The house is an example of the cubic Italianate style.  In 1908, the house was owned by Daniel Quirk Jr.  One of his daughters would marry G. Mennen Williams who would later become Governor of Michigan and was instrumental in the construction of the Mackinac Bridge.  In 1955, the house was bought by the city.  Quirk was responsible for the addition to the left (not pictured very well).

 I believe this house was built in 1872 for Dr. Watling who was a dentist.  His wife was instrumental in creating the Ladies Library across the street and he was instrumental in creating the dental school at the University of Michigan. 

 This is an example of a Victorian style house.

 I'm not sure about this house.

 St. Lukes Episcopal Church.  This is a mid-Victorian Gothic Revival Church and was built in 1858.  It is Ypsilanti's oldest existing church.

 There used to be a spire here but it was removed due to stresses on the building.  The church would like to restore this.  Based on a drawing, it looks like it was pretty cool.

 Looking up at the spire.

 Some of the stained glass.

 The writing above the door of the priest's house.

 I think this house was built in 1830.   I believe this is a Federal-style house.  Reminds me of houses I"ve seen elsewhere.

 Looking down Huron Street.  I think some of these buildings have significance.

 Another angle of the Watling House.

I'm not sure what house this is but I think it is pretty cool.

 This is the Cornwell Residence.  It was built in 1883 for Cornelius Cornwell who was the owner of a local pulp mill.  It is a Georgian/Queen Anne style house and is said to be the largest between Detroit and Chicago.  It also housed the first telephone in Ypsilanti.

 The Ladies Library started as a house built by Edwin Mills in 1858.  Later this house was occupied by Mary Ann Starkweather and she donated it to the Ladies Library.  It is an example of Italiante architecture. 

 It is a pretty cool looking building.

 With some pretty cool details.

 Just in case you forgot.

 Another view of the Quirk Jr. House.

 And one more shot of the Ypsilanti Historical Museum.

 The old Ypsilanti High School which was constructed in 1849.  In 1973, the high school was moved to its current location.  This building now houses senior citizens.

 A shot of the tower and the snow falling.

 The Ypsilanti Fire Station which was built in 1898.  It no longer serves as a fire station but is a part of the Ypsilanti Fire Museum.

 It is pretty cool looking compared to modern fire stations.

 A closeup of the tower.

 Another view of it.

 To the right you can see the building that houses the museum.

 The Ypsilanti First Presbytarian Church.  Originally built in 1858 and expanded to two spires in 1899.  It is a pretty cool looking building.

 A shot of the pretty cool looking stained glass.

 Looking up at the spire.

 More stained glass.

 A wierd angle for the spire.

 Looking at the other spire.

 Looking down the edge of the building.

 The Ladies Literary Club.  It was founded in 1878 and they purchased this Greek Revival building in 1914.   This building is on the National Historic Registry and I believe has a state marker.

 The First Methodist Church.  It's amazing how cool the architecture of some of the churches is but I guess when you're building something for God, you're going to do your best.

 A shot of the spire.

 Looking up at the spire.

 The Church was built in 1891.

 Looking up at the stained glass.

 Another odd angle for the spire.

 Another shot of the Ladies Library.

 And a brief wandering to Eastern's Campus and Welch Hall.

 Boone Hall.

 Another shot of Welch.

 Ned's Bookstore.  I've bought a few books here in my day.

 And no tour of Ypsilanti would be complete without a picture of its most famous landmark.

 The tower was completed in 1890 as part of an elaborate water works.  Its designer was William R. Coats.

 Many jokes are made about the tower because of its shape.

But I still think it's pretty cool.

I hope you enjoyed this brief tour of Ypsilanti.  Sadly for as much as I covered today, I still feel like I only scratched the surface.