Charlotte in Eaton County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Eaton County / Eaton County Courthouse Square
Eaton County
Eaton County was organized in 1837 and named for President Andrew Jackson's war secretary, John H. Eaton. Pioneers had come to Bellevue, the first county seat, in 1833. The county was settled chiefly by New Englanders who founded communities in Charlotte, Delta Mills, Eaton Rapids, Grand Ledge, Olivet and Vermontville. In 1840 Charlotte became the county seat. Five years later a modest Greek Revival courthouse was erected on the courthouse square, the site of county government from 1845 to 1976. (That building is now located in Bennett Park.) A second courthouse was built here in 1883-85, and a third was erected north of the city in 1976. Eaton is the only county in Michigan with three extant county courthouses. Eaton County native Frank Fitzgerald, and former residents Austin Blair, Luren Dickinson and John Swainson served as Michigan governors.
Eaton County Courthouse Square
The Eaton County Courthouse Square is a rare Michigan example of an intact nineteenth-century government complex. The showpiece of the square, the stately Renaissance Revival courthouse built in 1883-85, was designed by D.W. Gibbs & Company of Toledo, Ohio. The interior features several elaborate marbleized slate fireplaces, stained glass and native butternut and walnut trim. A cast zince statue of Justice crowns the building and towers above the city. On July 4, 1894, fire destroyed much of the courthouse. The structure was rebuilt almost exactly to the original plans. The 1873 Second Empire sheriff's residence, built with an attached jail, is one of only a few of its age remaining in the state. The courthouse square is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected 1994 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S190.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1894.
Location. 42° 33.85′ N, 84° 50.166′ W. Marker is in Charlotte, Michigan, in Eaton County. Marker is at the intersection of West Lawrence Avenue (State Highway 79) and North Cochran Avenue (State Highway 50), on the right when traveling west on West Lawrence Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 West Lawrence Avenue, Charlotte MI 48813, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Charlotte Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Eaton County Civil War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Charlotte Medal of Honor Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Charlotte Historic District (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eaton County Courthouse Sentinel Tree (about 300 feet away); First Congregational Church of Charlotte (about 400 feet away); Lawrence Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church (about 500 feet away); Joseph & Mary Hall House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlotte.
Also see . . .
1. John Eaton (politician). (Submitted on August 8, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Frank Fitzgerald. (Submitted on August 8, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
3. Austin Blair. (Submitted on August 8, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
4. Luren Dickinson. (Submitted on August 8, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
5. John Swainson. (Submitted on August 8, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 8, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.