Ramsdell Building

Ramsdell Building

Manistee, Michigan

Begun: 1891

Frederick W. Hollister

44.24809573793308, -86.32347093055628

granite (rock), gray granite, sandstone, brick (clay material), terracotta (clay material)

3 to 4 stories tall

Public

Richardsonian Romanesque

This structure is quadratic in its form, its placement is intriguing to say the least. Similar to many Richardsonian buildings we’ve looked at thus far, it sits on the corner of a block. In addition, it is very slim viewed from its side. It appears as if it has 3 or 4 levels and operates to a typical hotel. The building materials are typically for a Richardsonian Romanesque structure. The rock-like material is there, with granite and sandstone in terra cotta coloring. Its construction method here takes a different spin on the typical Romanesque style. With more variation on its roofing (quadratic form, not as many conical toppings), but retaining the use of arches throughout. Overall, the building stands as one of the most unique examples of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, in any part of the States.

Image 1: Kathryn Bishop Eckert, "Ramsdell Building", [Manistee, Michigan], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/MI-01-MT8.

Image 2: Creative Commons

Image 2: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Ramsdell_building_at_River_and_Maple.jpg

Julian Forster

Kathryn Bishop Eckert, "Ramsdell Building", [Manistee, Michigan], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/MI-01-MT8.