Howell Main Street DDA
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Howell Main Street DDA
  • Home/
  • About Us/
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    • Committees
    • Who We Are
  • Businesses & Attractions/
    • Attractions
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    • Convenience & Gas
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    • Foundations
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    • Personal Services
    • Professional Services
    • Shopping
    • Downtown Living
  • Support/
    • Why Give?
    • Friends of Howell
    • Annual Fund
    • Event Sponsor
  • Events/
    • Events
    • Food Truck Rally
    • Tours & Public Art
    • Howell Art Project
  • Opening A Business Downtown/
    • Opening a Business Downtown
    • Available Real Estate
    • Rental Subsidy Program
    • Strategic Plan
  • Volunteer/
  • News/
Indian Tree sculpture.jpg
Howell Main Street DDA

Every Day is an Event

Tours & Public Art

Howell Main Street DDA
  • Home/
  • About Us/
    • Board Members
    • Committees
    • Who We Are
  • Businesses & Attractions/
    • Attractions
    • Churches
    • Convenience & Gas
    • Dining
    • Financial Institutions
    • Foundations
    • Information
    • Parking
    • Personal Services
    • Professional Services
    • Shopping
    • Downtown Living
  • Support/
    • Why Give?
    • Friends of Howell
    • Annual Fund
    • Event Sponsor
  • Events/
    • Events
    • Food Truck Rally
    • Tours & Public Art
    • Howell Art Project
  • Opening A Business Downtown/
    • Opening a Business Downtown
    • Available Real Estate
    • Rental Subsidy Program
    • Strategic Plan
  • Volunteer/
  • News/

Tours & Public Art


History Tour 

If history and architecture are a draw for you, the consider downtown Howell a "must see." Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, our downtown offers such an abundance of commercial architecture dating back to the 1800's. You'll want to bring a camera when you visit! 

Both simple as well a ornate Italianate facades dominate Grand River Avenue and State Street. 

The Richardsonian Romanesque Courthouse is the focal point of the downtown, and the Neoclassical Carnegie Library at the west end is another point of particular interest. 

In the midst of all the Italianate buildings are two High Victorian facades, a Victorian Gothic church, a modified English Gothic Church, a Tudor Revival office building, and of course, the original Opera House that opened in 1881. 

The variety, diversity, and excellence of architectural styles help make Howell unique among small towns in Michigan, and one of a few dozen recognized "Main Street" communities in the state.


Start Your Tour 

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Ann Arbor Rail Road.jpg
Cleary's Pub.jpg
Courthouse.jpg
Dairy Queen.jpg
First National Bank.jpg
First Presbyterian Church.jpg
Howell Library.jpg
Howell Opera House.jpg
All Saints Chapel.jpg Ann Arbor Rail Road.jpg Cleary's Pub.jpg Courthouse.jpg Dairy Queen.jpg First National Bank.jpg First Presbyterian Church.jpg Howell Library.jpg Howell Opera House.jpg

The following buildings are significant structures. Remember to bring a camera with you! 

  • The Opera House, built in 1881

  • Ann Arbor Railroad Building (Originally a Post Office), built in 1936

  • All Saints Chapel, built 1880

  • First Presbyterian Church, built 1915

  • Cobb-Hall Insurance, built 1928

  • Howell Carnegie District Library, built 1906

  • Howell Depot, built 1886

  • First National Bank, built 1873

  • Down Home Interiors, c.a. 1880

  • Cleary's Pub, built 1875

  • Dairy Queen, built 1889

  • The Howell Theater, built 1936

  • Livingston County Courthouse, built 1889

  • Crandall Realty, built 1848


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Flame Forest.jpg
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Tree_2.jpg Glass_2.jpg Glass_3.jpg Sweet William on Display at 1st National.JPG Burnt blossoms full -burnt into piece of wood.jpg Climb.jpg Flame Forest.jpg Flamingo.jpeg Only Michigan.jpg Pigcasso.jpg Summer Glow.JPG Neptunes Salad.jpg

Public Art 

Each year, Howell Main Street Inc. partners with artists from across the state of Michigan, and the entire U.S., to further beautify the downtown district! With a mix of annual new 2D and 3D art intallations, residents and visitors alike can enjoy a year-round outdoor art gallery found throughout downtown Howell!

View the 2018 Art Map by clicking here

Past Art Installations:

In 2008, Howell Main Street, in cooperation with the Downtown Development Authority was proud to announce two 3D art installations located within Parking Lot #1, (Located behind behind the Cleary's Pub block). The Howell Main Street Design Committee began a campaign to locate suitable art installations to be incorporated into the new parking lot in 2008. Local artists Jessica Tokman, a glass artist, and Carl Goines, a sculpture artist, were engaged to create pieces of art that reflected the Howell community and culture. The results are two beautiful expressions of the Howell community and history: 


Native American Bent Limb Topiary Sculpture

The sculpture is inspired by the "Indian Trail Tree" formerly located on Wetmore Street in northwest Howell. In the early 1800's the Potawatomi Indians planted and hand-bend the tree limbs in the direction of "The Grand River Trail," a commonly used pathway referencing food, water, and safe travel. The artist, Carol Goines, donated countless hours to creating this work of art. 

Any funds provided to the artist were paid for entirely by an Urban Revitalization 3.0 Grant from the Michigan Economic Development (M.E.D.C.) and a corporate donation from First National Bank in Howell. No public funds were used.

"The Spirit of Howell" Slumped Glass Panels

This series of glass panels by Jessica Tokman, glass artist, pay homage to Howell's rich history and traditions. They represent events that have long been a vital part of our community. Our acclaimed Howell Melon Festival and Balloon Festival, our Sunday Farmer's Market, and Courthouse Lawn Concerts - some of the many traditions that have, for years, embodied the spirit and enduring sense of community that continue to make Howell a city like none other. The artist donated countless hours towards creating the glass panel series. 

Any funds provided to the artist were paid for entirely by an Urban Revitalization 3.0 Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (M.E.D.C.) and a corporate donation by Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. No public funds were used. 

  • Home/
  • About Us/
    • Board Members
    • Committees
    • Who We Are
  • Businesses & Attractions/
    • Attractions
    • Churches
    • Convenience & Gas
    • Dining
    • Financial Institutions
    • Foundations
    • Information
    • Parking
    • Personal Services
    • Professional Services
    • Shopping
    • Downtown Living
  • Support/
    • Why Give?
    • Friends of Howell
    • Annual Fund
    • Event Sponsor
  • Events/
    • Events
    • Food Truck Rally
    • Tours & Public Art
    • Howell Art Project
  • Opening A Business Downtown/
    • Opening a Business Downtown
    • Available Real Estate
    • Rental Subsidy Program
    • Strategic Plan
  • Volunteer/
  • News/

Howell Main Street DDA

Here in Howell's Downtown, we're a lot different. In a good way. Where else can you stroll amid historical buildings that are over 100 years old? Be greeted by folks who actually own the store you've walked into? And, of course, there's our unique mix of independent dining, entertainment, and "shoppertunity" options you simply won't find anywhere else. Especially not with the warmth, style, and generosity that we serve up in Howell. 

Proud of ourselves? Well, yes. We have a lot to be proud of. The inviting atmosphere. The wide smiles and warm welcomes. Our acclaimed festivals and events. Over forty different specialty retailers (from traditional to hip & quirky) and deliciously different dining options. Parks, a beach, that remarkable historical architecture...we could go on. But really what we're most proud of it each other. 

People make a town. Through their love of the place. Their commitment to developing a vibrant community - and their commitment to each other, and to our guests. This makes a big difference. The Howell difference. We're a town with roots and a real family feel. We believe you'll feel it too. 

We invite you to explore our site and get a better look at what we're about. Why we're different...in a good way. We hope you like what you see enough to come, spend a little time here, and Shop Different...Shop Downtown Howell. 

P.S. We're really easy to get to. We're conveniently located right off of I-96 (Exit 137 is a good one to take). Plus, parking is free, whether it's on the street or in one of our newly-redesigned, re-paved, re-landscaped, and re-markable lots. 

Donate to your Downtown

CONTACT US

Howell Main Street Inc.
118 W. Clinton St.
Howell, MI  48843
517-545-4240
info@downtownhowell.org
Facebook: Howell Downtown
Twitter: DowntownHowell


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Generous SUpporter of Howell Main Street Inc., and the top Downtown in the Nation!

Generous SUpporter of Howell Main Street Inc., and the top Downtown in the Nation!


Downtown Howell is pleased to be a Nationally-Accredited Main Street Program