TRAVERSE CITY ARCHITECTURE:
MID-CENTURY MODERN DRIVING TOUR
WELCOME
Welcome to the Traverse City Architecture: Mid-century Modern Driving Tour. The tour features twenty-nine notable examples of mid-century modern architecture built in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s. With two exceptions, all buildings were designed by local architects.
The purpose of the tour is to highlight mid-century modern architecture, the mark it made on a relatively small town, and to recognize the eleven architects who came to Traverse City to live, work, and help shape a community that embraced innovation and creativity. It also conveys
the importance of two internationally known architects, Alden B. Dow and Walter Gropius of The Architects Collaborative, who contributed to
a broader view of architecture and how it can enhance our lives.
HOW IT WORKS
This self-guided tour is organized into three sections: the West Loop with eight structures, the East Loop with eleven structures, and the Old Mission Loop with ten structures. Each loop has a suggested order of touring and information on whether the structure is a private residence or public building, the date it was built, the architect, firm and a photograph.
Each loop has a mixture of public and private spaces. Churches are public spaces, but check the websites for open hours. Professional office buildings should be treated as private and not open to the public. All residences are private and are to be viewed only from the road. Please
refrain from walking on private property or using the driveway.