{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox NRHP | name = Benzie County Courthouse | nrhp_type = | image = Benzie County Courthouse.jpg | caption = Building in 2013 | location= 7157 Crystal Avenue<br />Beulah, Michigan | coordinates = {{Coord|44.62752|-86.09614|type:landmark_region:US-MI|display=inline,title}} |locmapin = Michigan#USA | mapframe = yes | mapframe-marker = building | mapframe-zoom = 12 |mapframe-caption = Interactive map showing the location of Benzie County Courthouse | built = 1912 | architect = | architecture = | added = June 3, 1996 | area = | governing_body = | mpsub = | refnum = 96000611<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a|dateform=mdy}}</ref> | designated_other1 = Michigan State Historic Site | designated_other1_date = February 16, 1989 }} The '''Benzie County Courthouse''' is a historic former courthouse in Beulah, Michigan. It is a Michigan State Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1912 as a hotel and recreation center, it later served as a courthouse until 1976.
==History== The building was constructed in 1912.<ref name=mich/> It initially served as a recreation center and hotel, named "The Grand".<ref name=mich/>{{sfn|Fedynsky|2010|p=22}} In early 1916, Beulah won an election to become the county seat of Benzie County. The former hotel was converted into a courthouse; the first floor became county offices and the second floor became a courtroom and sheriff's residence. The jail, nicknamed "The County Root Cellar", was a simple concrete box connected to the courthouse's east end. The county courthouse moved into the Beulah location on June 1, 1916.{{sfn|Fedynsky|2010|p=22}}
The courthouse underwent extensive renovations from 1936 through 1938.<ref name=mich/> Benzie County rented the building until 1942 when it purchased the courthouse from Beulah for about $3000.{{sfn|Fedynsky|2010|p=22}} By 1975, the county had raised $615,000 through Federal revenue sharing and the sale of a farm to build a new courthouse.{{sfn|Fedynsky|2010|p=23}} Construction on the new facility began in January 1975, and the courthouse moved out of the historic building in 1976. Since its discontinuation as a courthouse, the building has served a number roles and tenants, including stores, restaurants, an inn, and condominiums.<ref name=mich/>{{sfn|Fedynsky|2010|p=23}}<!--both refs cover previous two sentences--> The building was designated a Michigan State Historic Site on February 16, 1989, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 3, 1996.<ref name=mich>{{cite web|author=Staff|url=http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/45985.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131030094514/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/sites/45985.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 30, 2013|title=Benzie County Courthouse|work=State Historic Preservation Office|publisher=Michigan State Housing Development Authority|access-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 6/03/96 Through 6/07/96|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-1996-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref>
==Architecture== The courthouse features elements of Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. The building has a clapboard facade and is two stories tall with an attic.<ref name=mich/> The structure features Flemish gables at the sides and the slightly projecting front.<ref name=mich/>{{sfn|Fedynsky|2010|p=22}} A two-story portico with square columns stretches across the front of the building.<ref name=mich/>
==See also== {{Portal|National Register of Historic Places|Michigan}} *National Register of Historic Places listings in Benzie County, Michigan *List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Benzie County, Michigan
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
===Bibliography=== *{{cite book|last=Fedynsky|first=John|title=Michigan's County Courthouses|year=2010|publisher=University of Michigan Press|isbn=978-0-472-11728-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ogrel7yYnvQC&pg=PA21}}
Category:Courthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan Category:Michigan State Historic Sites Category:Buildings and structures in Benzie County, Michigan Category:County courthouses in Michigan Category:Government buildings completed in 1912 Category:Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in Michigan Category:Mission Revival architecture in Michigan Category:1912 establishments in Michigan Category:National Register of Historic Places in Benzie County, Michigan