Jackson’s “Mansion Row” of the Early 1900s

An MLive article referred to this area as “a tree-lined street that the affluent and influential finance and industry leaders called home.” That street was West Main, now known as West Michigan Avenue. Driving down that street section you’ll still see some of the old original mansions, some in all their glory, some modified, some not there anymore.

This row of lavish homes was maybe-not-so-lovingly nicknamed “Mansion’s Row” by the locals. It was the early 1900s and money was being spent on garish homes by the rich corporation fat-cats and business owners. Impressive as they may have been over one hundred years ago, as the decades wore on, so did the houses. Family members who had these houses handed down or willed to them didn’t want ‘em, couldn’t afford the upkeep, or just wanted to move somewhere else.

Take a look at the gallery:

So, as mentioned earlier, some mansions were demolished, others turned into offices, and still others were turned into apartment houses. Ironic conclusions to these 'monuments of the wealthy'.

MORE MICHIGAN MANSIONS: