Above - The iconic Brickyard building at the entrance to the Fulton Street Market. Photo by VanderPloeg c. 2024.

ABOUT MIDTOWN HOUSE STORIES—We recently moved to the Grand Rapids Midtown neighborhood inspiring this fun new project documenting the history of neighborhood homes and buildings. Coming soon — the story of 821 Lyon and Grand Rapids first Electrical Inspector and the house on Fountain Street where the former First Lady Betty (Bloomer) Ford grew up.

Midtown is located between the East Hills, Fulton Heights, and Heritage Hill neighborhoods. To the north is Highway 196, west to Union, east to Fuller, and south to Fulton. Iconic Midtown sites within walking distance include the Fulton Street Cemetery (Grand Rapids oldest cemetery), Fulton Street Farmers Market, and the Midtown Green on the site of the old Baxter Laundry.

Into the 1920s, the Valley City Street and Cable Railway ended at Lyon and Grand and a whole neighborhood grew up around it. Homes are often four-square, Craftsman bungalow, early 20th-century apartments, and late 19th-century vernacular styles.

The address below the photograph is your link to the story.