Benzie County Courthouse

United States historic place

Benzie County Courthouse

U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Michigan State Historic Site

Building in 2013

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Interactive map showing the location of Benzie County Courthouse

Location| 7157 Crystal Avenue
Beulah, Michigan
Coordinates| 44°37′39″N 86°05′46″W﻿ / ﻿44.62752°N 86.09614°W﻿ / 44.62752; -86.09614
Built| 1912
NRHP reference No.| 96000611[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP| June 3, 1996
Designated MSHS| February 16, 1989

The Benzie County Courthouse is a historic former courthouse in Beulah, Michigan. It is a Michigan State Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1912 as a hotel and recreation center, it later served as a courthouse until 1976.

## History

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The building was constructed in 1912.[2] It initially served as a recreation center and hotel, named "The Grand".[2][3] In early 1916, Beulah won an election to become the county seat of Benzie County. The former hotel was converted into a courthouse; the first floor became county offices and the second floor became a courtroom and sheriff's residence. The jail, nicknamed "The County Root Cellar", was a simple concrete box connected to the courthouse's east end. The county courthouse moved into the Beulah location on June 1, 1916.[3]

The courthouse underwent extensive renovations from 1936 through 1938.[2] Benzie County rented the building until 1942 when it purchased the courthouse from Beulah for about $3000.[3] By 1975, the county had raised $615,000 through Federal revenue sharing and the sale of a farm to build a new courthouse.[4] Construction on the new facility began in January 1975, and the courthouse moved out of the historic building in 1976. Since its discontinuation as a courthouse, the building has served a number roles and tenants, including stores, restaurants, an inn, and condominiums.[2][4] The building was designated a Michigan State Historic Site on February 16, 1989, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 3, 1996.[2][5]

## Architecture

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The courthouse features elements of Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. The building has a clapboard facade and is two stories tall with an attic.[2] The structure features Flemish gables at the sides and the slightly projecting front.[2][3] A two-story portico with square columns stretches across the front of the building.[2]

## See also

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* National Register of Historic Places portal
* Michigan portal

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Benzie County, Michigan
* List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Benzie County, Michigan

## References

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1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Staff. "Benzie County Courthouse". State Historic Preservation Office. Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
3. ^ a b c d Fedynsky 2010, p. 22.
4. ^ a b Fedynsky 2010, p. 23.
5. ^ "Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 6/03/96 Through 6/07/96" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved October 29, 2013.

### Bibliography

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* Fedynsky, John (2010). Michigan's County Courthouses. University of Michigan Press. ISBN 978-0-472-11728-4.

*[No.]: number