Luce County, Michigan

Founding: 1887
Parent counties: Chippewa and Mackinac

Namesake: Cyrus Luce (1824–1905), 21st Michigan governor
Seat: Newberry (1887–)

Land area: 899 square miles

Population (2010): 6,631

Population (historic): 2,455 (1890); 6,528 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1890–1950; 1990s

Subdivisions: One village; four townships

National Register listings: One

Income (per capita): $18,294

Income (median household): $42,083
Business establishments: 162 (40.9 people per business)
Pre-1939 residences (estimated): 721 (16.6%)
Vacant houses: 1,994 (46%)
Sources of settlement: Michigan, Finland, and Sweden

Newberry

Namesake: John Newberry (1826–1887), Michigan representative

Founding: 1882 (platting); 1882 (post office)

Population (2010): 1,519

Population (historic): 1,115 (1890); 2,465 (1930)

Periods of population growth: 1882–1890; 1900–1940
Typology: Grid

First Courthouse

Location: West Harrie Street (Newberry)

Construction: 1890

Years of service: 1890–1974

Typology: Irregular (late Victorian); brick; two-story (with elevated basement)

Style: Queen Anne

Architect: J.B. Sweatt

Cost: Unknown

Status: Razed

Features of note: Corner turret; exterior chimney; string courses; cornice brackets; segmental-arched windows; Classical Revival porch.

For photos, see this page.

Second Courthouse

Photo by Bobak Ha'Eri.

Location: 407 West Harrie Street (Newberry)

Construction: 1974

Years of service: 1974–

Typology: Irregular (modern); brick; one-story

Style: None

Architect: George Buitendorf and Associates

Cost: Unknown

Status: Extant; functional

Features of note: None.

Sources: Wikipedia; Courthouse History; United States Census Bureau.