Brighton in Livingston County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Bessie the Holstein
Brighton's Victorian Silhouettes
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 27, 2017
1. Bessie the Holstein Marker
Bessie is a milk cow. Holsteins started to appear in Livingston County in the 1880s. The county became a leader in selling these cows throughout the Midwest. These black and white dairy cows can produce about 2900 gallons of milk. In the late 1800s the Brighton Argus advised property owners multiple times to be more responsible with the care of their cows and cattle and to help keep the streets clean. These animals had been found in the cemetery eating grass. Cemeteries were not mowed during these times and had tall grass. Animals found in the cemetery were taken to the impoundment pen located at the north east corner of St. Paul St. and Grand River Ave. Citizens had to pay to get their animals released.
Original Art by: Lisa DeLuca
Erected 2017 by Brighton Area Historical Society, Brighton Art Guild, Downtown Brighton. (Marker Number 7.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Cemeteries & Burial Sites.
Location. 42° 31.843′ N, 83° 46.92′ W. Marker is in Brighton, Michigan, in Livingston County. Marker can be reached from West St. Paul Street north of North West Street. Marker is in the Old Village Cemetery behind St. Paul's Episcopal
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Duke the Hereford (within shouting distance of this marker); Alvira Gilluly (within shouting distance of this marker); B.T.O. Clark (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Paul's (within shouting distance of this marker); Brighton Area Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Brighton Village Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mill Pond Park (about 400 feet away); Old Town Hall (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brighton.
Also see . . .
1. Who's that? Faces from Brighton's past pop up on city streets. According to this article from the Livingston Daily Press & Argus, Brighton's Victorian Silhouettes will be "left on display for three years, except for during the winter." (Submitted on August 29, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Gossip among the Breeders. According to the January 1, 1912 issue of The Holstein-Friesian Register: "Livingston County, Michigan, of which Howell is the county seat, has 400 breeders of Holsteins, who own in the aggregate over 4,000 registered black-and-whites. This has all been accomplished in 20 years... As might be expected buyers from all over the country flock to Howell to buy Holsteins. As a result more Holsteins are shipped out of Howell...than any other town or city in the entire United States." (Submitted on August 30, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 27, 2017
2. Bessie the Holstein Marker
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 27, 2017
3. Bessie the Holstein Marker
The building in the background is St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 244 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 29, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
