[1] The revitalized 1870s era neighborhood is one of the residential areas surrounding the city's Cultural Center Historic District in Midtown.

The area around the West Canfield Historic District was once owned by Lewis Cass, an early governor of Michigan.

[5] Three years later, they divided the property, with Cass's daughter Mary receiving the portion where the West Canfield Historic District is now located.

[5] Mary's husband was Captain August Canfield, a graduate of West Point and a major investor in the construction of the ship canal at Sault Ste.

[3] In the early 1870s, numerous brick Queen Anne homes were constructed along Canfield, on spacious lots with generous setbacks.