Heritage Hill

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Heritage Hill is also a state park in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Heritage Hill is a neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan and one of the largest urban historic districts in the United States. It is bounded by Crescent (north), Union (east), Pleasant (south), and Lafayette (west). Its 1,300 homes date from 1848 and represent over 60 architectural styles. These were the homes of lumber barons, teachers, judges, and legislators who shaped the city’s future.

[edit] History

The Heritage Hill Association was formed in 1968 to stop a variety of urban renewal projects that would have demolished 75% of the neighborhood. Its purpose is to provide neighbors a way of collectively building a healthy, historically preserved community where people can live and work in a secure and stable environment. Issues include land use, crime and safety concerns, preservation, parking and traffic, education and other quality of life issues.

One home lost was the Bissell home, built for Melville R. Bissell (inventor of the Bissell sweeper) & his wife Anna. The site is now occupied by a local television station (WOOD-TV Channel 8).

Starting around the 1970s, a significant number of gays and lesbians moved into the area and have been credited with reviving interest in the area, as many gay couples who bought the homes would often restore them to their original beauty.