Category: Significant Structures

Sanford S. Farness (1917–2006) was Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, 1962–1981. Born in DeForest, Wisconsin, Farness served as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps during World War Two, flying as both a pilot and an advanced training instructor. After the war, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in city and regional planning…

This article has been newly revised and expanded as of 2 June 2025. In 1898, Edwin J. and Margaret Rugg moved with their young daughter Jennie (M.A.C. w/’14) from the Reading area of Hillsdale County to a new home on Michigan Avenue, directly across from the Agricultural College. The site would soon become the southwest corner…

In the decade from 1859 to 1869, four school districts were formed in the areas surrounding the Michigan Agricultural College. None were near enough to be convenient for faculty children, the majority of whom were home schooled until 1900 when a new fractional school district was created, later to become East Lansing Public Schools. Brickyard…

Robert Sidey Shaw was born at Woodburn, Ontario, on July 24, 1871. He earned his B.S.A. degree from the Ontario Agricultural College in 1893, and after five years managing his father’s farm he joined the faculty of the Montana State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts as Professor of Agriculture and Assistant Agriculturist in the…

Grant Martin Hudson (1868–1955) was a Baptist minister, erstwhile merchant, and member of the Anti-Saloon League who served two terms in the State House of Representatives before he arrived in East Lansing. He was elected city alderman here in 1922, but that same year he won election to the U.S. Congress, representing Michigan’s Sixth District…

Ernst Athearn Bessey (1877–1957) was Professor of Botany beginning in 1910, following the retirement of William Beal. He served as President of the Michigan Academy of Sciences in 1915. As Professor of Botany he resided with his family in Faculty Row № 7, better known today as Cowles House, before they moved to this house upon its completion…

A later residence of the John H. Cowley family.

In the East Lansing history book At the Campus Gate, a photograph of Station Terrace appears with this caption: Station Terrace, which housed faculty bachelors and served as East Lansing’s Post Office from 1912 to 1923. Later it was moved to 291 Durand (corner of Ann Street); the “excess lumber” was used in building the house next door.…

Edward R. Blair (1851–1936) was Foreman of the College Farms from 1899 to 1905. He was the first Supervisor of the city of East Lansing when it was incorporated in 1907. After World War Two, this was the home of brothers Edward G. Hertel Jr (M.A.C. ’39) and Crawford W. Hertel (M.S.C. ’40), who founded the Builders…