Corunna in Shiawassee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Hugh McCurdy / Hugh McCurdy Park
Hugh McCurdy
Hugh McCurdy (1829-1908), a native of Scotland, immigrated with his parents to Birmingham, Michigan, in 1837. He first worked as a cooper's apprentice, and after reading the law was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1854 and practised [sic] law in Pontiac. Soon after moving to Corunna in 1855, he was appointed Shiawassee County prosecutor. He was elected probate judge in 1860, state senator in 1864 and mayor of Corunna in 1880 and 1887. McCurdy established the First National Bank of Corunna in 1865. A member of the Free and Accepted Masons since 1850, he became Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan in 1873. In this capacity, he laid the cornerstone of the new state capitol on October 2, 1873. In 1892, McCurdy was elected Grand Master of the Knights Templar of the United States. In 1899, McCurdy and his wife, Emma, gave land to Corunna for a public park.
Hugh McCurdy Park
"Corunna Has A Merry Christmas!" headlined the Corunna Journal on December 21, 1899. One week before Christmas, Judge Hugh McCurdy and his wife, Emma, donated 34 acres of their estate to the citizens of Corunna as a Christmas gift. The McCurdys continued to live in their house, nestled amid the parkland. Detroit landscape gardeners Rackham and Dilger designed the park with winding paths, rustic shelters and a casino. The casino burned in 1930, but was rebuilt later that year. A bridge gave park visitors access to Diana Island, located in a channel of the Shiawassee River that once flowed through the northern portion of the park. Over the years the park was the home of many animals including deer, raccoon and caged bears. The Shiawassee County fair was held here from 1934 to 1987.
Erected 1990 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State and the City of Corunna Historical Commission. (Marker Number L1734.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Government & Politics • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 2, 1873.
Location. 42° 58.938′ N, 84° 7.534′ W. Marker is in Corunna, Michigan, in Shiawassee County. Marker is on West Corunna Avenue (State Highway 71) east of Hastings Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Corunna MI 48817, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Corunna World War II Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Williams Carriage Barn (about 500 feet away); Outhouse (about 500 feet away); Lemon School (about 600 feet away); Union Veterans Memorial Bench (about 700 feet away); Blacksmith Shop (about 800 feet away); First National Bank (approx. 0.4 miles away); Shiawassee County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corunna.
Also see . . .
1. Hugh McCurdy. (Submitted on June 27, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Hugh McCurdy, Sixteenth Grand Master, 1892-1895. (Submitted on June 27, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2018. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 27, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.