Our Stories

Calkins Law Office opens perhaps every couple of years. See the only known video tour INSIDE of the oldest building in Grand Rapids & learn more about its history, led by Gina Bivins from Grand Rapids Public Museum. Originally at Monroe Center/Ottawa, it now sits at State/Jefferson/Washington. More about Grand Rapids history from Tours Around Michigan ToursAroundMichigan.com

Calkins Law Office:
Oldest Surviving Structure in Grand Rapids

Built in 1836, it housed the law office of Charles P. Calkins, who came from Hinesburg, Vermont, about this same time. Mr. Calkins married Mary Ann Hinsdill.

The law office was located at the northeast corner of Monroe Center and Ottawa. It is now maintained by the Grand Rapids Public Museum and was last located in Lincoln Park adjacent to the old museum on Jefferson Street, in downtown Grand Rapids.

Charles P. Calkins and his father settled first at Kalamazoo, where the former studied law. In 1834 Charles P. Calkins went to Ann Arbor to complete his law studies, and was admitted to the bar in 1836. He soon came to Grand Rapids and formed a law partnership with Benjamin G. Bridge, which continued until summer 1839, when Benjamin Bridge died. In 1853, Calkins formed a partnership with John T. Holmes for about three years until election Holmes was elected to the office of justice of the peace.

Calkins retired in 1880 & passed away September 2, 1890

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Take a tour of local ghost tales and history with Ghost Tour Grand Rapids

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"Our Job Is To Bring Joy" - Candice Smith, Owner/Operator #ToursAroundMichigan

Our passion is making you feel special & entertaining you with great stories and memorable experiences with friends, families, coworkers (plus you get to meet people, if you'd like). We chatted with @MyMichigan TV about all the fun ways we do that in public & private tours.

#GhostTour #GrandRapids #HistoryTour @Experience Grand Rapids @West Michigan Woman @Pure Michigan #experiencegr #PureMichigan #experiencelife

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Traumatic deaths keep some #GrandRapids ghosts anchored. Others stay because they loved it here. More #GhostStories on our #GhostTours!
🎟️ ToursAroundMichigan.com/tour/ghost-tour/

🎥 @Paul Jendrasiak

#CityTour #GhostTours #HistoryTour @Experience Grand Rapids #Haunted #WestMichigan @Pure Michigan @West Michigan Tourist Association #WestMichigan #PureMichigan @Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. @Grand Rapids Area Library @Grand Rapids Civic Theatre #ExperienceLife

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Grand Rapids #GhostStories have a lot of history in them too! Hear more on #ToursAroundMichigan #GhostTours, which run all year long
🎟️ ToursAroundMichigan.com/tour/ghost-tour/

🎥 @Paul Jendrasiak

#CityTour #GhostTours #HistoryTour @Experience Grand Rapids #Haunted #WestMichigan @Pure Michigan @West Michigan Tourist Association #WestMichigan #PureMichigan @Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. @McKay Tower @BIGGBY COFFEE of West Michigan #ExperienceLife

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Michigan is the 5th Most Haunted State. Grand Rapids has lot of stories to contribute to that designation, including an unusually high number of spirits who get mistaken for live people.



Hear the stories on Ghost Tour Grand Rapids
🎟️ ToursAroundMichigan.com/tour/ghost-tour/

🎥 Paul Jendrasiak Photography

#CityTour #HistoryTour #GhostStories #HotelDistrictGR #GhostTour #GrandRapids #Haunt #Halloween #ExperienceGR #CircleMichigan #PureMichigan #WestMichigan #ExperienceLife

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