Harbor Beach in Huron County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Frank Murphy

Photographed by John Garman, August 3, 2019

1. Frank Murphy Marker (side 1)

Inscription.
Side 1
Frank Murphy was associate justice of the U. S. Supreme Court from 1940 until his death in 1949. His earlier career included service as a judge in the Detroit Recorder’s Court and instructor in law at the University of Detroit in the twenties. In the following decade he was mayor of Detroit, U. S. governor-general in the Philippines, governor of Michigan, and attorney general of the United States. Governor Murphy’s stand during the 1937 sit-down strike received national attention when he refused to send troops to remove workers from the factories. As an associate justice, Murphy wrote many of the Court’s opinions concerning civil liberties. In Thornhill v. Alabama (1940), Murphy clarified labor’s right to strike, holding that peaceful picketing was a manifestation of freedom of speech. Murphy died on July 19, 1949, and is buried in Harbor Beach.

Side 2
1890-Born, Harbor Beach, on April 13.
1914-Graduated from University of Michigan Law School.
1917-19 - Army officer, World War I, service in Germany.
1919 - Law studies, London and Dublin.
1920-23 - First Assistant U.S. District Attorney, Eastern Michigan District.
1922-27 - Law instructor, University of Detroit.
1923-30 - Recorder’s Court Judge, Detroit.
1930-33 - Mayor of Detroit.
1933-36 - Governor-General, Philippine Islands. After the islands achieved commonwealth status, he became U.S. High Commissioner.
1937-38 - Governor of Michigan.
1939-40 - Attorney General of the U.S.
1940-49 - U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
1949-Died at Detroit, on July 19. Buried in Rock Falls Cemetery, Harbor Beach.

Erected 1967

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by Michigan Historical Commission, Sponsored by State Bar of Michigan. (Marker Number S285.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 13, 1890.

Location. 43° 50.617′ N, 82° 39.073′ W. Marker is in Harbor Beach, Michigan, in Huron County. It is on South Huron Avenue (Michigan Route 25) 0.1 miles south of State Street ( Route 142), on the left when traveling south. Located just south of the J.F. Murphy Attorney at Law building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 142 S Huron St, Harbor Beach MI 48441, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Thumb

and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Frank Murphy Marker Side 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, August 3, 2019

2. Frank Murphy Marker Side 2

of this marker: Birthplace of Frank Murphy (a few steps from this marker); The Harbor Beach Lighthouse Lens (a few steps from this marker); Justice Frank Murphy (a few steps from this marker); The Frank Murphy Museum (a few steps from this marker); Murphy's Dissent (within shouting distance of this marker); Harbor Beach Churches (within shouting distance of this marker); Corporal Curtis James Wells (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Downtown Harbor Beach (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harbor Beach.

Also see . . . Blog about marker. (Submitted on July 26, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills.)

Additional commentary.
1. Murphy's Dissent
Justice Murphy wrote a landmark dissenting opinion in the Korematsu v. United States case in which the Supreme Court upheld the forced detainment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Justice Murphy said, this "falls into the ugly abyss of racism", and resembles "the abhorrent and despicable treatment of minority groups by the dictatorial tyrannies which this nation is now pledged to destroy."

— Submitted December 24, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.

J.F. Murphy Attorney at Law Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, August 3, 2019

3. J.F. Murphy Attorney at Law Building

The Marker is just south of the J.F. Murphy Attorney at Law Building

Murphy Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Garman, August 3, 2019

4. Murphy Museum

The museum is located in the home in which Murphy was born and is located at 142 S. Huron St. in Harbor Beach. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 22, 1971.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. This page has been viewed 325 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 26, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.