Sandstone Castles

On a Michigan road trip or weekend getaway the traveler on the back roads will pass through any number of historic towns. In nearly every one there is likely to be a beautiful building from a bygone era. Many of them have a story to tell.

blanchard house

In the 1800's, John C. Blanchard was quarrying the beautiful pink sandstone unique to the area around Ionia, Michigan. A number of buildings were constructed using the sandstone.
The Blanchard House serves today as the historical museum. The Frederick Hall House, an Italian style villa, built in 1869, is now the Hall-Fowler Memorial Library.

The Ionia County Courthouse is said to be the largest structure ever built of Ionia sandstone.

 

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