Old West Side
Old West Side
Ann Arbor's National Register historic district — 19th-century workers' cottages and Victorian homes a short walk from downtown.
Quick Facts
At A Glance
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Location
Old West Side occupies the blocks west of First Street and south of Liberty Street, stretching roughly to Seventh Street on the west and Pauline Boulevard on the south — a compact wedge of Ann Arbor's west side about half a mile from the downtown core. The neighborhood is bounded by the Huron River corridor to the north and west, Liberty Street to the north, and West Stadium Boulevard to the south. Downtown Ann Arbor is a comfortable ten-minute walk east along Liberty or Washington Streets.
Open Old West Side in Google Maps →42.2812° N, 83.7590° W · ZIP 48103Character
Old West Side's character derives from the small scale and historical integrity of its housing stock — Italianate cottages, Queen Anne Victorians, and vernacular workers' homes of 800 to 2,000 square feet, set on narrow lots with front porches facing the sidewalk. The density and walkability are exceptional by Ann Arbor standards. The neighborhood hosts one of Michigan's most celebrated neighborhood street fairs each June, drawing thousands of visitors to its blocks of artisan vendors and live music. The Old West Side Association is an active preservation advocate and community organizer.
History
Old West Side was developed in the mid-19th century as Ann Arbor expanded west from its original plat. The neighborhood attracted German immigrant craftsmen, cabinetmakers, and laborers — workers who built much of early Ann Arbor — and the modest scale of the housing reflects its working-class origins. The neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and its preservation has been robust, with the housing stock remarkably intact compared to similarly aged urban neighborhoods in Michigan.
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Schools
Ratings from the South Carolina School Report Card (state Department of Education) — not third-party aggregators.
Nearby Retail & Dining
- Downtown Ann Arbor — Main Street / Liberty Street — Full-service dining, bars, boutiques, and the Ann Arbor Farmers Market (0.4 mi east)
- Kerrytown Market & Shops — Artisan food hall, specialty grocers, boutiques (0.7 mi northeast)
Healthcare & Essentials
- Michigan Medicine — U-M Health Hospital system (1.0 mi east)
- Urgent Care near Stadium / Main Urgent care (0.5 mi)
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