Squeezed Between the Moderns: Lansing Women’s Club Building, 1890
When it comes to saving, preserving, and hangin’ on to classic buildings, Lansing is no slouch.
For example, the Lansing Woman's Club Building at 118 West Ottawa Street. The Club was founded in 1874 to help the local ladies by providing education, crafting, and encouragement to seek what else lies beyond the four walls of their homes.
Although the club was already created, a regular meeting place was not. The organizers had to find various places around town to hold their meetings and events. Finally, in 1889, they hired local architect James Appleyard to blueprint a permanent club building. Upon their approval, the structure was finished by 1890 and had two floors. The top was specifically for the club, and the bottom was rented out as office space.
A third floor was added in 1912, which was now used for club purposes and the second floor became more office space.
The Club used the floor until 1949; three years later they bought a building a few blocks west at 624 West Ottawa Street. The Club held ownership of the original until 1972, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
As far as history knows, the old women’s club at 118 West Ottawa Street is the only building left in the city that was designed by James Appleyard.