Art and Historic Walking Tour

With the support of the I-69 Region, Four County Community Foundation, Lapeer County Community Foundation, and the Imlay City Historic Society (Museum), the DDA developed an Art and Historic Walking Tour to highlight the many treasures our downtown has to offer.

Two self-guided tours are available.  The Downtown Art and History Tour will take you on a stroll through traditional downtown.  In 2016 and 2017, the DDA commissioned 8 artists who created 39 pieces of public art.  The artwork is displayed on buildings throughout downtown with two paintings located in the City office, 150 North Main Street, and the Ruth Hughes Library, 211 North Almont Avenue.  Artists' biographies and narratives can be found by clicking on the links found below. Downtown's 's commercial properties date back to 1872.  Historic buildings will have a plaque describing the building's story next to the front entrance.

The Historic Homes tour focuses on 16 homes, each with its own story, that led to the establishment of Imlay City in 1870.  The Historic Homes Tour is roughly three miles in length.  Homes are designated with a plaque located by the front door.  Information regarding the home's previous owner(s), architecture, and importance to the settling of Imlay City can be found in the links below.

Along the way, Historic Churches and Points of Interest are also highlighted along the tours.

The Art and Historic Walking Tour brochures are available at downtown businesses, the Ruth Hughes Library and the City office.

Artists You'll Find on Your Walk

Click on an image for it description from the artist.  A map that guides you as you walk from piece to piece is available at the City office, 150 N. Main Street, and in businesses throughout downtown.

As you enjoy the art downtown, remember to visit and support the local businesses.

The Imlay City DDA looks forward to sponsoring future art initiatives and continuing to keep the arts alive in downtown!

Click on the images below to see more information.

Downtown Art and History Walking Tour

Complete Downtown Walking Tour
  • Complete Downtown Walking Tour
  • Art
  • Historic Businesses

Urban Sprawl

Urban Sprawl

150 North Main Street
Emma Auger, artist

Mission

Mission

150 North Main Street (back of building)
Eryn Gartley – artist

Guitar

Guitar2

150 N. Main Street (inside)
Hunter Pope – artist

Palmer

City Hall (inside) 150 North Main Street I wanted my first painting to represent something about Imlay City's history. So when I discovered that the railroad played a major part in putting the City on the map I knew I just had to paint a train. I decided on a black and white theme to represent old time photos.

150 North Main Street- (inside)
Randy Hughes, artist

Yellowstone

Yellowstone

335 East Third Street
Sarah Opperman, artist

Mondri-Ollock

Mondri-Ollock

335 East Third Street
Sarah Opperman, artist

Ode to Georgia

Ode to Georgia

335 East Third Street
Eryn Gartley, artist

The Escape

The Escape

387 East Third Street
Sarah Opperman, artist

Irma

Irma

387 East Third Street
Eryn Gartley, artist

Farmland

Farmland

395 East Third Street
Jacqueline Piechowski, artist

Life on Lynn

Life on Lynn

395 East Third Street
Hunter Pope, artist

On Guard

2016<BR>Randy Hughes<BR>On Guard

400 East Third Street
Randy Hughes, artist

Historic Homes Tour

Fairweather/Lamb House

540 South Almont Avenue

Fairweather House
540 South Almont Avenue
1871

Marshall House

520 South Almont Avenue

Marshall House
520 South Almont
Circa 1885

Murphy/Walter House

430 South Almont Avenue

Richard Murphy/Walter Walker House
430 S Almont Avenue
Circa 1883

Hiram Barnes House

255 Belle River Street

Hiram Barnes House
255 Belle River
Circa 1929

Messer House

215 Sixth Street

Joseph T. Messer House
215 Sixth Street
Circa 1895

Micheals House

375 North Almont Aveune

Michael’s House
375 N Almont Avenue
Circa 1907

Wells House

270 North Almont Avenue

Wells House
270 North Almont Avenue
Circa 1875

Whitkopf House

245 East Fifth Street

Whitkopf House
245 East Fifth Street
Circa 1922

Historic Churches

First Congregational Church United Church of Christ

First Congregational United Church Of Christ

First Congregational Church United Church of Christ
275 Bancroft Street

United Methodist Church

Imlay City Methodist Church

United Methodist Church
210 North Almont Avenue

First Baptist Church

404 North Almont Avenue First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church
404 North Almont Avenue

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Sacred Heart
700 Maple Vista

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

St. Paul's Lutheran Church

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
200 North Cedar Street

Christian Reformed Church

Christian Reformed Church

Christian Reformed Church
395 North Cedar Street

Points of Interest

Eastern Michigan State Fair

Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds Point Of Interest

Eastern Michigan State Fair
Almont Avenue

Ruth Hughes Memorial Library

Ruth Hughes Memorial Library

Ruth Hughes Memorial Library
211 North Almont Avenue

Historical Marker

Historical Marker Point Of Interest

Historical Marker
Depot Drive next to the Museum

Train Viewing Platform

Train Viewin Platform Point Of Interest

Train Viewing Platform
Depot Drive

Vlasic

Vlasic Point Of Interest

Vlasic
415 South Blacks Corners Road

Imlay City Historical Museum

Imlay City Historical Museum

Imlay City Historical Museum
77 Main Street