Walking Tour – #9 The Plaza

As you head through the parking lot toward the Auditorium, you’ll pass a little walkway labeled Woodlawn. Marker #9 is a few steps up and on the left. In 1904, the Ludington chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union built a structure here. Its three stories enclosed eight bedrooms, a large classroom, and kitchen facilities. When the W.C.T.U. abandoned their program there, the building was named Neks-to-home and renovated to be used as a private rooming house.  

During the 1920s, the Assembly took over the ownership of the building and renamed it The Plaza. It became an annex to the Hotel, and for many years it served as housing for the college students and other summer employees who had seasonal jobs on the grounds. During the early 1940s, the lower level was used as a recreation area for the young people, though that purpose appears to have been short-lived. A bit noisy late in the evening, perhaps?

By 1960, the aging building was no longer needed and was torn down. Today, little other than the brass marker would hint that anything ever existed here.