Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, Union Depot is one of Lansing's most cherished landmarks. The former rail station was built using the Tudo Revival style in 1902 by the Michigan Central and Pere Marquette Railroads. The building operated as a passenger station until 1972 and is best known for its distinctive conical towers and stone arches. In 1978, Czech Immigrant Peter Jubeck (1936-2013) acquired the abandoned building and opened Clara's Lansing Station, a restaurant that was so popular that it brought people back to this part of the city until its closure. The station features ornate woodwork, stained glass windows that were added to the building after its completion, Tiffany lamps, and an attached Pullman sleeper car that was converted into extra seating space. The restaurant, which has a sister restaurant called Clara's On the River in Battle Creek, Michigan, closed in 2016. The real estate firm Gillespie Group bought the building shortly thereafter. As of 2018, the future of the building is still being decided.
The R. E. Olds Transportation Museum is devoted to the life and work of auto pioneer, Ransom Eli Olds. The museum first opened in 1981 and is now home to over 60 vehicles produced between 1886 and 2003. In addition to vintage cars, the museum also has collections of engines, automobile memorabilia, and other materials significant to transportation in the Lansing area and beyond.
Since 1972, the Impression 5 Science Center has been educating children and families in downtown Lansing. The Center gets more than 120,000 a year. The Science Center is an interactive space that encourages hands-on play and participation. It offers a variety of special programming as well.
Now headquarters of the Accident Fund Insurance Company, the former Ottawa Street Power Station is one of Lansing's architectural landmarks. The station generated electric power and steam for the city until the late 1980s. The southern part of the building was completed in 1939 and the northern in 1946. It was designed in the Art Deco style and features a "step-back" appearance. The design allowed it to disguise the machines and many of the smokestacks and to include windows. In this way, the building was architecturally appealing to look at. Inside, the steam and electric machines were state-of-the-art at the time; they were more efficient and more reliable and were completely automated. The building's architecture and machinery attracted national attention and generated wide praise. In all, the station could process 300 tons of coal per day. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
This historical marker shares the history of the worst fire in Lansing's history and the 6th-deadliest hotel fire of the 20th century. At this location in the early morning hours of December 11, 1934, a fire destroyed the four-story Kerns Hotel on a night that it was nearly at capacity with 215 guests owing to the hotel's popularity with lawmakers and its proximity to the state capitol. Despite the actions of firefighters who saved eight people who jumped into their life nets and many more through four ladders, thirty four hotel guests perished that morning.
Given to the city by the local Rotary club in honor of Lansing's 150th birthday, this steam-powered clock is powered by a steam engine that was built in 1927, seventy years prior to the construction and dedication of the clock. Visitors can see the steam engine operate by peering through clear windows. The engine came from a former clock that was built by the Seth Thomas Clock Company. While steam powers the clock and the hourly chimes, the carillon is powered by electricity and plays two songs a day form a computer library of thousands of songs. The tower stands at the corner of Wentworth Park that was previously home to Hotel Kerns until it was destroyed in a tragic fire in 1934 that resulted in the death of thirty-four people.
This historical marker designates the location of the first capitol building that was created after the legislature moved the capitol from Detroit to Lansing in 1847. The first capitol building in Lansing was erected soon after this decision and was a simple wooden structure, was located at the corner of Washington and E. Allegan Ave. This building was created in the winter of 1847-1848 and designed by Israel Gillett. The modest structure was two stories tall with white with green trim and a tin cupola on the roof. The building only measured 60 ft wide by 100 ft long but contained legislative and supreme court chambers, an office for the governor, a few other offices and a library. Including a small addition that was later constructed, the total cost of the first state capitol was $22,952. By 1871, plans were already underway to replace this building with the grander state capitol that exists today, completed in 1879. The first capitol was sold and used for manufacturing and offices, until it was destroyed by fire in 1882.
The Lansing Art Gallery is a nonprofit organization that provides public education, awareness and enjoyment of the visual arts. The Gallery has been serving the community and promoting Michigan artists for more than 50 years. Its first exhibition took place in 1965. After moving multiple times through the years, the Gallery relocated to its current home in 2010.
Constructed in 1889, this downtown structure was home to the Lansing Woman’s Club until 1952. The club was formed for the advancement of women in Michigan and focused on providing cultural and educational opportunities for its members. The club was one of the earliest of its kind in the region and its history reflects the profound changes in women's experience from the late nineteenth century to the present. The Lansing Women’s Club commissioned architect James Appleyard to design the building which housed the club for over sixty years. The Late Victorian building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The Methodist church has been serving the people of Lansing, Michigan for more than 170 years. They first met in 1845 in a log cabin. They later moved into a converted barn. In 1861, Central Methodist Episcopal Church was officially organized. An initial building was dedicated in 1863 but it didn’t take long to outgrow the space. A design by A.B. Jennings was chosen for the present building in March of 1888.
Built in 1913 after two years of construction, St. Mary Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Lansing. Architect Edwyn Bowd designed it in the Gothic Revival style. It features 39 pictorial stained glass windows and its exterior is clad in Indiana limestone. The cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
Michigan's State Capitol was dedicated in 1879. It originally housed all branches of the state government, and today serves as the home of the Governor's Office, the Michigan Senate, and the Michigan House of Representatives. The Capitol is nationally recognized for its architectural importance and Victorian interior design, and was completely renovated in 1992. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark.
The Michigan History Center is the state's main repository for local and state historical records and the flagship of the Michigan Historical Museum System. The museum features 25 galleries whose exhibits tell the story of Michigan's history, from prehistoric times to today. Some staff members even dress in period costume at various points of the year for special events as part of their effort to provide an authentic and engaging experience. Highlights include a white pine, the state's official tree, and a three-story-tall topographical map of Michigan. The Center also houses the state archives, which holds 80 million state and local records, 300,000 photographs, 500,000 books, and also films and audiotapes. The earliest records in the archives date back to 1792.
Located between Ottowa and Allegan streets, just east of the Hall of Justice, the Michigan Vietnam Veterans Memorial is inside the Michigan Veterans’ Memorial Park. It serves to recognize Michigan residents who served and died during the Vietnam War. The names are listed by county on lighted plaques made of brushed steel.
The Michigan Hall of Justice, dedicated in 2002, is headquarters of the state’s judicial branch of government. It houses the Michigan Supreme Court, Court of Appeals (District IV), the State Court Administrative Office, and a museum-style Learning Center gallery. Court sessions are open to the public, and free, guided tours of the Learning Center can be scheduled on weekdays, except court holidays. All visitors must enter through the east doors (facing the State Capitol) and pass through a security check. Government ID is required; no weapons are permitted in the building.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
Get a QR Code for this tour
This tour includes several museums, galleries, monuments, and historic buildings as it makes its way from the Michigan Hall of Justice and state capitol towards the Grand River. The tour concludes with the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum and Union Depot.
