Town and City Scenes--Lansing

Color postcard from circa 1915-1923 of the Reo Motor Car Company factory in Lansing, Michigan. Founded in 1904 by R. E. Olds, the Reo Motor Car Company produced cars and trucks until 1975.

Black and white postcard from circa 1895-1905 showing the Prudden Building at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Washington Avenue in Lansing, Michigan. The office building was destroyed in 1920 by fire, and then replaced by the Washington Square Building.

Black and white postcard from circa 1900-1907 showing a view of Washington Avenue, looking north, in downtown Lansing, Michigan. The State Capitol is visible in the background, and the six story Hotel Downey is at the end of the block. The hotel was built in 1887, and expanded in 1907. In 1912 a devastating fire destroyed the building, but it was rebuilt and the hotel remained in service until 1939, when it was demolished to make room for Knapp's department store.

Black and white stereograph from circa 1870-1890 of Michigan Avenue, looking west toward the state capitol building in Lansing, Michigan.

Color postcard from circa 1910-1913 showing a couple "having a good time" in Lansing, Michigan.

Black and white photograph from 1890 showing a bird's-eye view of the corner of Michigan Avenue and Cedar Street, taken from the NW stand pipe in Lansing, Michigan.

Black and white stereograph from circa 1870-1890 showing a street view in Lansing, Michigan.

Black and white aerial view from 1967 showing a view of the Capitol Complex in Lansing, Michigan. The photograph shows several state office buildings in various stages of building just west of the capitol building.

Black and white photograph showing a bird's-eye view of Lansing, Michigan.

Color postcard from circa 1907-1915 showing "Half-Way Rock" in Lansing, Michigan. The rock was a visual marker for the approximate half-way point between the Capitol and Michigan State University (then Michigan State College) along Michigan Avenue. Supposedly, a passer-by placed a cherry pit in a crack in the rock and it grew into a tree, splitting the rock (which was then also known as "Split Rock"). The rock and tree were removed in 1925 to allow for widening of the road. A portion of the rock now stands near the Michigan State University Union building.

Color postcard from 1945 of the Bank of Lansing Building (now the Comerica Bank Building) in Lansing, Michigan. Part of "Souvenir Folder of Lansing, Michigan" - a postcard booklet featuring images from Lansing and East Lansing.

Black and white postcard from circa 1930-1940 showing a bird's-eye view of Lansing, Michigan, looking west from the capitol. The large office building is the Lewis Cass State Office Building (known at that time simply as the State Office Building), built in 1922.

Black and white photograph from circa 1950-1960 of the Lansing, Michigan skyline at dusk. From left to right, the featured buildings are the Michigan National Bank Building (now Boji Tower), George W. Romney Building (formerly Olds Hotel), the state capitol, and the Bank of Lansing Building (now Comerica Bank Building).

Black and white copy print of the 1847 "Map of the Town of Michigan in the County of Ingham." When Lansing was first chosen as the state capital, the legislature gave the settlement the temporary name of 'Town of Michigan' before later changing it to Lansing.

Black and white photograph from circa 1900-1910 of passengers boarding a steamboat at Waverly Park in Lansing, Michigan. The amusement park, which was previously known as Leadley's Park, operated until about 1917.

Black and white photograph on cardboard backing showing the north 200 block of Capitol Avenue in Lansing, Michigan. On the right is the First Baptist Church of Lansing, now the Christ Community Church.

Color postcard from circa 1915-1925 showing the six story Hotel Downey in Lansing, Michigan. The hotel was built in 1887, and expanded in 1907. While suffering a devastating fire in 1912, the hotel remained until 1936, when it was demolished to make room for Knapp's department store.

Color postcard from circa 1915-1920 titled "Washington Street, Lansing, Mich." but actually showing Michigan Avenue leading up to the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing, Michigan.

Black and white postcard from circa 1907-1910 of a group of children - "Lansing's future Oldsmobile owners" - posing in an Oldsmobile vehicle in Lansing, Michigan. Oldsmobile - originally Olds Motor Works - was started in Lansing.

Color postcard from circa 1907-1909 showing a street scene on Turner Street in Lansing, Michigan.

Black and white postcard from circa 1925-1930 of the northwest corner of Michigan and Washington Avenues in Lansing, Michigan.

Black and white photograph from circa 1930-1940 of a winter street scene on Michigan Avenue in front of the the state capitol. The Hotel Olds is on the left (now the George W. Romney Building).