Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) have announced that the downtown commercial districts of three Michigan communities have been added in the National Register of Historic Places administered by the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office. The Register is the federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historic significance. 

 

The three downtowns added are Wayland, Negaunee, and Ispheming.

 

The Wayland Downtown Historic District is a small “four corners” district centered on the intersection of Main and Superior streets and radiating out from a half to a full block in each direction. Unique within the district is the 1899-built Richardsonian Romanesque-style Henika Library, which after careful expansion and sensitive restoration continues to serve as a central community gathering place. 

 

“Historic preservation has been an essential function for Wayland Main Street during our 12-year history, with over 40 buildings in our 8-block district receiving façade or building restoration work,” said Wayland Main Street/DDA Executive Director Teryl Shields. “Having downtown Wayland listed in the National Register of Historic Places is not only an honor and something of which to be proud, but it also continues to offer our building owners a further economic incentive to continue to rehabilitate and maintain their buildings. We’re excited to share our town’s rich history by continuing to preserve its lovely historic buildings.” 

 

photo:  Henika Library in Wayland