Downtown Lowell Historic District

The Downtown Lowell Historic District is a commercial area located along Main Street (M-21) in Lowell, Michigan, spanning between Hudson and Washington Streets. It was designated as part of the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. The region's history began with Daniel Marsac, a French fur trader who settled there in 1831 and established Dansville. By 1850, Able Avery acquired the land, renaming it Lowell after his son. The two settlements merged by 1861 to form the village of Lowell.

The area experienced significant growth in the 1850s, driven by the construction of mills following the damming of the Flat River and the arrival of the Detroit, Grand Haven, and Milwaukee Railway in 1858. Post-Civil War, commercial development surged, with brick buildings replacing earlier wooden structures. Notably, Joseph Lowthian Hudson operated a store there from 1888 to 1890 before establishing his famous department store in Detroit.

The early 20th century saw challenges like flooding in 1904 and a fire in 1905, but also new architectural styles emerging. Growth slowed after this period, with few buildings constructed post-1910. The district encompasses five blocks along Main Street, including both river sides. It comprises 56 structures, mostly built between 1865 and 1890, featuring Italianate architecture with some Romanesque Revival and Art Deco elements.