Brighton in Livingston County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Johnny Blessed

Photographed By Joel Seewald

1. Johnny Blessed Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Johnny Blessed operated a two horse stagecoach that avoided the swamps and followed the rough and bumpy Grand River Indian Trail between Detroit and Howell. Tired horses would be exchanged for fresh horses in Farmington, New Hudson and at Brighton's main _____. Passengers would visit the Eastern House Hotel Restaurant to down some local food and drink and enjoy some dust free air while they adjusted to a motionless chair. This trail eventually became an eight foot wide wooden plank road in the 1850s between Detroit and the new Capital in Lansing. While Johnny was not a Brighton resident, he certainly was important for bringing settlers and merchandise to and through Brighton. The stagecoach business stalled when the trail of the iron-horse opened to Brighton in 1871.

Erected 2017 by Brighton Area Historical Society, Brighton Art Guild, Downtown Brighton. (Marker Number 13.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. Marker has been reported missing.

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It was located near 42° 31.697′ N, 83° 46.792′ W. Marker was in Brighton, Michigan, in Livingston County. Marker was on East Grand River Avenue south of North Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in front of the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 218 East Grand River Avenue, Brighton MI 48116, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Orson Quackenbush (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Daniel Marsh (about 500 feet away); John McKinney (about 700 feet away); Alice Jolly (about 700 feet away); Brighton Hook and Ladder Co. (about 700 feet away); Old Town Hall (about 800 feet away); Mill Pond Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); B.T.O. Clark (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brighton.

Also see . . . 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 October 27, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

2. Johnny Blessed Marker

Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 24, 2020

3. Johnny Blessed Marker

Photo showing the post on which the marker was attached and showing that the historical silhouette is no longer attached to the fence.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 129 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 27, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.