Historic homes and commuter convenience draw residents to Marshall
The city of Marshall is so full of beautiful historic homes, the National Register of Historic Places dubbed it a “virtual textbook of 19th century American architecture.” Skillfully maintained Italianate and Victorian-style homes sit close to farmhouses and bungalows on tree-lined residential streets. These historic homes are one of the draws to the area, but people move to Marshall for practical reasons, too. “[It’s] a nice, central hub from Kalamazoo to Jackson to Lansing,” says Cathy Smolinski, a Realtor with Five Star Real Estate who has been serving the Marshall, Battle Creek, Richland and Kalamazoo areas for 23 years. “You’ll find a lot of couples where one works in one city and the other in another city. It’s really convenient.”
Home styles range from 19th century to 2020s builds
Among the many historic homes, there are also midcentury-era ranch-style houses, and New Traditionals from the 1990s and 2000s. Lawns are landscaped with grass, shrubs and mature trees. Many of the streets have wide sidewalks, where residents walk their dogs. Prices range from $135,000 to $585,000. Higher-priced homes are usually over 3,000 square feet and sit on more than an acre of land.
B-rated school district draws families to the area
Marshall Public Schools serves the city and has a B rating on Niche. It includes four elementary schools, one middle school and a high school. Smolinski says the schools are a major draw to the area. “The teachers are so dedicated to their students and the families. They bend over backwards for them,” she says.
Ketchum Park and Marshall Riverwalk are favorites for outdoor fun
The main green space in Marshall is Ketchum Park, which is popular for its large playground, skate park and disc golf course. Marshall Riverwalk is a series of pedestrian bridges and scenic overlooks that run along the Kalamazoo River and is a favorite for nature walks. Brooks Nature Area has more nature trails along prairies, wetlands and farmland. The North Branch of the Kalamazoo River runs through the middle of the city and has multiple access sites for paddle boats.
Historic restaurants and cozy bars anchor the downtown scene
The city’s small downtown district runs along Michigan Avenue from the Marshall Roundabout to Marshall Avenue and features local boutiques and restaurants. Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub, just off Michigan Avenue, has been a community staple for over 100 years. The family-owned spot recently changed hands to new owners but, “the food is still fabulous,” Smolinski says. Copper Athletic Club is a cozy bar and grill and another local favorite. Bogar Theatre is a small movie house that screens popular films and the Franke Center for the Arts hosts live music and youth theater productions. Oaklawn Hospital is also located downtown near Michigan Avenue.
Marshall hosts Michigan’s oldest county fair each August
The Calhoun County Fair, the oldest county fair operating in the state, takes place in Marshall every August. The week-long festivities include carnival rides, a beer tent, livestock auctions and a rodeo. The city’s farmer’s market takes place downtown between May and December, with vendors selling indoors during the colder months.
Kalamazoo and Jackson are reachable via nearby highways
Residents get around by car, due to the city’s lack of a fixed route bus line. Interstates 69 and 94 run near the city’s west and north sides, respectively. Interstate 94 connects to Kalamazoo, less than 40 miles away. The closest international airport, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek, is about 34 miles away.
Tornados and flooding are possible
Flooding is possible near the Kalamazoo River. The Calhoun County area is prone to tornadoes. The county’s Emergency Management office and Michigan Emergency Management Assistance Compact (MEMAC) work together to ensure prompt response to severe weather and catastrophic events. Summer temperatures are usually in the 80s and winter temperatures are usually in the 30s.
