The Morton House Museum in Benton Harbor has announced its latest Preservation Awards, highlighting efforts in the community to maintain historically significant structures.
Morton House Museum Director Chuck Jager tells us the awards are announced every two years, and the 2024 list includes four properties. They are the Parks/Hightower House, 132 Water Street, the GhostLight Theater, and the Empire Avenue Fire Station Apartments.
Jager says the Hightower House was built in 1910 and was previously occupied by the Parks family before being acquired by former Benton Harbor Mayor James Hightower.
132 Water Street was previously the home of Garb’s Clothing Store and is now occupied by the OutCenter.
The GhostLight Theater was previously part of Burch Printing Company and turned into a thriving venue.
The Empire Avenue Fire Station Apartments started as a city fire station in 1947.
“In 2011, Cornerstone Alliance and Emergency Shelter Services converted it into a fixed unit apartment building that is used for people who have trouble finding housing and kind of transient, kind of unsheltered people,” Jager said.
Jager says the Morton House has also released its latest Top 10 Most Endangered List of properties that should be preserved but are at risk. They include Benton Harbor City Hall.
“The Benton Harbor City Hall was built by the Public Works Administration during the New Deal of the Great Depression, and it’s a great Art Deco building that really ought to be preserved. We’re concerned that it’s kind of being allowed to get kind of run down.”
Also on the endangered list are several homes, vacant Benton Harbor schools, and the FATSCO Building at 257 North Fair Avenue.
Jager says in past years, buildings on the endangered list have eventually wound up receiving preservation awards. He hopes that will happen with this year’s list.
Below are more details on this year’s highlighted properties.
The 2024 Preservation Award Winners
- The Parks/Hightower House
Built c. 1910
Aka Hightower Manor, it is currently owned by former Benton Harbor Mayor James Hightower and his wife June
Owned by the Parks Family from 1919 to 1982
- 132 Water Street
Currently home of the OutCenter
For 76 years, it was the home of Garb’s Clothing Store
Recently received historically-accurate façade improvements
- The GhostLight Theatre
Originally part of Burch Printing Company
Used in the 1970s and ‘80s by the Type House and Harbor Graphics
Chosen for the vitality the GhostLight Theatre has brought to Benton Harbor
- Empire Avenue Fire Station Apartments
Built as Fire Station #2 in 1947
Continued to be used as a fire station until 1975
Transformed into a six-unit apartment building in 2011 by Emergency Shelter Services
Provides safe and affordable housing to chronically unsheltered women
Top 10 Most Endangered List 2024
1. Benton Harbor City Hall
2. Bobo Brazil Community Center (470 Cass Street)
3. Corner Grocery Store (184 McAlister)
4. 487 East Britain (Talbot House) formerly 280 Britain
5. FATSCO Building (257 North Fair Avenue)
6. Bobo Brazil House (507 East Britain)
7. Miller House (377 Morton Avenue)
8. Vacant Benton Harbor Schools
9. Smith Apartments (275 High Street)
10. Lincoln Apartments (352 Lincoln Street)
Photo: the Empire Avenue Fire Station Apartments.