The story of the district
Downtown Pontiac in context.
Pontiac became Oakland County’s seat in 1819. A destructive downtown fire in 1840 was followed by rebuilding, and later carriage manufacturing and automobile production brought new investment. Many downtown buildings reflect the city’s growth during the first decades of the twentieth century.
The original National Register district covered a compact block around Saginaw, Lawrence, Pike and Wayne streets. Its 1989 expansion recognized a much larger downtown area. The Eagle Theatre and Grinnell Brothers Music House are among the landmarks that connect the district’s commercial story to music and entertainment.
Historical context: National Park Service district record and district history and references.
What to notice.
- Compare narrow storefront bays with the larger scale of banks, theaters and civic buildings.
- Look above modern shop signs for brickwork, arches, cornices and earlier window patterns.
- Follow the relationship between Saginaw’s commercial corridor and the streets that meet it.
Find your bearings.
Start around Saginaw and Lawrence streets, then follow the linked nomination and boundary expansion. Continue your Pontiac visit with The Foundry in the Riker Building at 35 W Huron Street; check its current opening information before visiting.
Explore from public streets and sidewalks. Many district buildings are private homes or workplaces; check access with the owner or operator before entering.
Does the original 1984 boundary describe the entire district today?
No. A boundary expansion followed in 1989. Consult both records when researching a particular building or block.
