Read the district through its connections
The National Register district includes the commercial core along Michigan Avenue and the depot-area core on Cross Street, with Huron Street linking the two. Depot Town is a familiar place name within this wider story; it should not be treated as a substitute for the formal district boundary. Ypsilanti Historic District: overview and references.
Three places to begin
The city’s walking tour identifies the 1858 Starkweather Home at 130 North Huron, later given to the Ladies Library Association; the 1860 Dow family house at 220 North Huron, now associated with the historical museum; and the Second Empire Quirk residence at 300 North Huron, which later served as City Hall. Together they offer a way to follow changing uses as well as architectural forms. Consult the host institutions for current access. Ypsilanti historic walking tour.
What to notice
- Compare upper-story windows and cornices above today’s storefront signs.
- Follow the city’s walking-tour material along Huron Street and compare domestic buildings with public uses.
- Record which version of a house you are looking at: initial construction, a later addition, or a documented restoration.
For owners & researchers
The city provides a local district map, a 2025 resurvey, property survey forms, and project-specific guidance. Start with the address and the current local map; National Register and local boundaries need not match. Bring photographs and a repair proposal to preservation staff before finalizing the scope.
