Montcalm County is named for Louis-Joseph, Marquis de Montcalm de Saint Veran, who was a French military commander in the French and Indian War.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Mecosta County and Isabella County
E – Gratiot County
S – Ionia County and Kent County
W – Kent County and Newaygo County
Created: March 2, 1831
County Seat:
Greenville 1850 – 1860
Stanton 1860 – present
County Courthouse – Stanton
Location: 639 North State Street / Quarterline Street
Built: 2001 – 2002
Style: Modern
Architect: Wigen, Tincknell, Meyers & Associates
Contractor: Clark Construction Company
Description: The building faces east and is a one story buff colored brick, glass and concrete structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds to the north of the center of Stanton. The building is an “L” shape design with a south wing and a west wing which has the central entrance in the center with peaked red colored roof. The building has glass exterior walls. The roof is hipped. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 49th Judicial District and County District Court. The building is named as the County Courthouse Complex.
See: The architect, Wigen, Tincknell, Meyers & Associates, designed courthouses in Clinton County, Ingham County and Roscommon County. The contractor Clark Construction Company of Lansing constructed courthouses in Clinton County, Ingham County and Livingstome County.
County Courthouse Annex – Stanton
Location: 625 North State Street / West Cedar Street
Built: Unknown
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces east and is a one story buff colored brick, glass and concrete structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds to the north of the center of Stanton and on the south side of the courthouse. The roof is hipped. The building houses the County Probate Court, Family Court and Juvenile Court.
Old County Courthouse – Stanton
Location: 211 West Main Street / South Court Street
Built: 1910 – 1911
Style: Beaux Arts
Architect: Edwyn A Bowd
Contractor: Wright & Prall.
Description: The building faces north and is a two story buff colored brick and stone structure. The building is locatted on landscaped grounds in the center of Stanton. The north front has a large portico supported by four large columns with pediment above. The projecting cornice runs below the roof line. The base of the building is stone. The roof line is flat. In the interior are striking tile floors and stone columns. The old courtroom is located on the second story. The building houses the administrative offices. On the south side is the Old Sheriff’s Residence.
See: The courthouse is similar to the courthouse in Wexford County.
See: The 8th Judicial District includes Ionia County.
History: The first court met at the home of Morton Shearer in Greenville in 1850. The county seat was moved to Stanton in 1860. The first courthouse was built by Joseph P Shoemaker in 1861 at a cost of $800. In 1870, Seth Sprague erected a fireproof building for $1500 as the second courthouse. The third courthouse was constructed by Jacob V Consaul of Grand Haven in 1879 to 1881 at a cost of $23,000. The courthouse burned on February 16, 1905. The fourth courthouse was constructed in 1910 to 1911 at a cost of $58,280.68. The fifth and present courthouse was constructed in 2001 to 2002.
See: Michigan’s County Courthouses by John Fedynsky
County Courthouse – Stanton
Old County Courthouse – Stanton
Old Sheriff’s Residence – Stanton
Photos taken 2008