LOCAL HISTORY
Downtown Ann Arbor: from early settlement to city center
Ann Arbor was established in 1824 by John Allen and Elisha Rumsey. In 1837, just 13 years later, Ann Arbor was selected as the new home of the University of Michigan, beginning a relationship between the city and university that would profoundly influence Ann Arbor's growth and identity.
As Ann Arbor grew, downtown developed as the city's commercial and civic center. Today, historic buildings and storefronts stand alongside newer residential, office and mixed-use development, reflecting different periods in the city's evolution.
Downtown today includes several distinct districts and corridors, with Main Street and State Street among its most recognizable. Restaurants, shops, cultural destinations, university activity and an expanding variety of downtown housing contribute to a setting that blends the city's history with its contemporary character.