The Amazing History Of Heritage Hill, Grand Rapids Oldest Neighborhood

When I first moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan I knew nothing about the city.

While trying to find a place to live near Downtown a friend told me to check out the Heritage Hill area.

I took their advice and ended up in an old house split into 4 different apartments.

As time went on I learned more about Grand Rapids' oldest neighborhood.

The Amazing History Of Heritage Hill, Grand Rapids Oldest Neighborhood

Heritage Hill is the oldest neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a rich history dating back to the 1840s.

The 1-square-mile area is home to over 1,300 historic properties representing more than 60 architectural styles, from Greek Revival to Prairie style.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Heritage Hill was the city's most prestigious residential area, home to lumber barons, teachers, judges, and legislators who shaped Grand Rapids' future.

However, in the 1960s, the neighborhood faced threats of urban renewal and demolition, with the city recommending tearing down 75% of Heritage Hill's historic buildings.

Thankfully residents banded together to form the Heritage Hill Association in 1968, successfully fighting to save their neighborhood.

They invoked the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act, setting a precedent as the first successful court challenge using this law to stop a federal project that would have altered the neighborhood.

Read More: 8 landmarks Anyone In Grand Rapids Would Recognize

The victory not only saved Heritage Hill but also set a nationwide precedent for historic preservation.

Today, Heritage Hill is a thriving community of over 4,000 households, home to a diverse mix of professionals, artisans, students, families, and individuals from all backgrounds.