ADRIAN — Two Michigan public buildings are being recognized among the most beautiful civic structures in the country, one of which is in Lenawee County.
A nationwide survey of more than 3,000 respondents ranked overlooked public buildings across the United States, highlighting architecture that reflects craftsmanship, history, and civic pride rather than celebrity status.
Among the buildings recognized were the Lenawee County Courthouse and the Houghton County Courthouse.
The Lenawee County Courthouse in Adrian ranked 29th nationally. Survey participants noted its red brick exterior, arched windows, and domed roof, calling it a landmark that blends naturally into the city’s historic district.
The Houghton County Courthouse ranked 38th nationwide. The building was praised for its High Victorian design and distinctive masonry, using Milwaukee brick and Jacobsville sandstone that stand out in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.