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.
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.
The monthly newsletter is published on the 1st of each month and is delivered by email, www.travelinmichigan.com .