LOCAL HISTORY
Kerrytown: a historic crossroads in Ann Arbor
Kerrytown is part of Ann Arbor's historic northern downtown area, with roots extending into the city's early development. The district takes its name from County Kerry, Ireland, and its streetscape includes historic commercial buildings alongside late-19th, early-20th-century residential architecture and brand new condominium communities.
The area also has an important place in Ann Arbor's Black history. During much of the twentieth century, the area around North Fourth Avenue and Catherine Street was home to Black-owned businesses and community organizations, including the early Dunbar Community Center.
Kerrytown's commercial identity evolved further in the late 1960s as historic buildings were converted into markets and shops. Today, Kerrytown Market & Shops, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market and other local businesses and cultural destinations continue to make the district a distinctive connection between downtown and surrounding residential neighborhoods.