The story of the district
Capitol Park in context.
A courthouse built here in the 1820s became Michigan’s state capitol when Michigan entered the Union in 1837. The government moved to Lansing in 1847. The building later served as a school before fire destroyed it in 1893; the site then became a park.
Surrounding buildings include the Farwell, David Stott, and Detroit Savings Bank buildings. Their varied forms reflect successive chapters of downtown development. The park’s triangular shape also preserves a trace of Augustus Woodward’s city plan, linking the arrangement of streets to the district’s later architecture.
Historical context: National Park Service district record and district history and references.
What to notice.
- Stand back to read the triangular park and the streets that define its edges.
- Compare older masonry façades with the vertical scale of the surrounding commercial buildings.
- Look for how entrances and storefronts address the public space, rather than viewing each building in isolation.
Find your bearings.
Use Griswold, Shelby, and State streets to orient yourself at the park. The historic district extends beyond the open space; consult the nomination map for the designated surrounding buildings.
Explore from public streets and sidewalks. Many district buildings are private homes or workplaces; check access with the owner or operator before entering.
Is Michigan’s original capitol building still standing here?
No. The building that served as the state capitol was destroyed by fire in 1893. The district preserves the site’s civic history and the surrounding later architectural setting.
