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Old Posted Jul 23, 2019, 3:18 AM
robk1982 robk1982 is offline
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Lapeer, MI - Michigan's oldest courthouse

I've wanted to do a photo tour of my hometown for a while now, so here it is. Lapeer is a city of 8,800 people and sits roughly 20 miles east of Flint. The name Lapeer actually comes from the French word for rock ("la pierre") since the Flint River flows through the city. Lapeer is called the "gateway to the Thumb" and pulls above it's weight for a city of it's population since it serves as the main city for a large area. The city has been pretty aggressive with annexation, and all of the major commercial properties are located within the city limits.

The downtown is off the main roads (M-24 and old M-21), which has caused it to struggle over the last 20-30 years. I believe it is currently in pretty good shape with a few great restaurants, a brewery, an Arts Center, and a few local shops that seem to have some staying power. The centerpiece of downtown Lapeer is the old County Courthouse, which was built in 1845-46. It is Michigan's oldest courthouse that is still used for the original purpose (court is held there once a year), and one of the 10 oldest in the country.

So, this tour will go west to east through downtown, starting with the historic Piety Hill neighborhood, and ending near the historic Courthouse.


20190720_131412_HDR by Rob K, on Flickr
These copulas were from the Oakdale state mental institution, which the largest of it's kind in the state and the biggest employer in the county. It was shut down in 1991 and most of the buildings were torn down.

20190720_131437_HDR by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_131519_HDR by Rob K, on Flickr

Across the street from the Library is Bishop Kelley Catholic School and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
20190720_131323 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_131613 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_131145_HDR by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_131221 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_131758_HDR by Rob K, on Flickr

The library, churches, and historic homes are part of the Piety Hill Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

20190720_131745_HDR by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_131900 by Rob K, on Flickr
The Old Post Office. Now used as an office building.

20190720_132113 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_130740 by Rob K, on Flickr

Behind (north of the Old Post Office) is the First Presbyterian Church and a few other churches
20190720_130704 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_130811 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_130845 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_130929 by Rob K, on Flickr

Continuing down the main street (Nepessing St.) is the historic Engine House, which now serves as City Hall.
20190720_130644 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_130620 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_130526 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_130513 by Rob K, on Flickr


Across the street is the current Post Office:

2019-07-22_11-13-46 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_130447 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_130338 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_130330 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_130216 by Rob K, on Flickr

Pretty busy for a Saturday afternoon:
20190720_130133 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_125950 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_125945 by Rob K, on Flickr

About halfway through downtown is Tilted Axis Brewery and Woodchips BBQ. These have become the anchors of downtown.
2019-07-22_09-54-49 by Rob K, on Flickr

The next block over is where we find the historic Courthouse
20190720_130119 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_125820 by Rob K, on Flickr

The block across the street (north) of the Courthouse is being renovated. Not sure what is going in besides some apartments on the upper floors.
20190720_125812_Burst01 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_125715 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_125622_HDR by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_125639_HDR by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_125555 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_125533 by Rob K, on Flickr

The current County Building is in the background
20190720_125526 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_132521 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_132652 by Rob K, on Flickr

Gallery 194 and the Pix Theatre are on the next block over:
20190720_125432_HDR by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_125358 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_125345 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_125232 by Rob K, on Flickr

Looking across the street and back towards the Courthouse
20190720_125212 by Rob K, on Flickr

I really want to see this building in its original state
20190720_125311 by Rob K, on Flickr

The Lapeer Bank & Trust building
20190720_125130 by Rob K, on Flickr

20190720_125101 by Rob K, on Flickr

If you go north a few blocks, you get to Riverview Towers senior housing:
20190720_133036 by Rob K, on Flickr

That's all!
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