Port Austin in Huron County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Charles G. Learned
By Kathy Garman, June 27, 2020
1. Charles G. Learned Marker
Charles G. Learned. . A native of New York, contractor Charles G. Learned helped build New York City’s waterworks system and the Erie Canal. Around 1857, Learned and his brother-in-law purchased several thousand acres of pine land in Michigan’s Thumb area. Two years later, Learned and his wife, Maria Raymond, came to Port Austin and bought a house and three acres at this site. Learned’s cutover pine land became a two thousand-acre farm where he prospered as an agriculturalist and dairy farmer. With profits from his lumbering and farming enterprises Learned enlarged and updated this house in the French Second Empire style. In the 1860s Ohio congressman, later president, James A. Garfield, a family friend, was a frequent guest here. From 1931 to 1979 the house served as the Mayes Inn and Tower Hotel. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
A native of New York, contractor Charles G. Learned helped build New York City’s waterworks system and the Erie Canal. Around 1857, Learned and his brother-in-law purchased several thousand acres of pine land in Michigan’s Thumb area. Two years later, Learned and his wife, Maria Raymond, came to Port Austin and bought a house and three acres at this site. Learned’s cutover pine land became a two thousand-acre farm where he prospered as an agriculturalist and dairy farmer. With profits from his lumbering and farming enterprises Learned enlarged and updated this house in the French Second Empire style. In the 1860s Ohio congressman, later president, James A. Garfield, a family friend, was a frequent guest here. From 1931 to 1979 the house served as the Mayes Inn and Tower Hotel. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Erected 1990 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L815A.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list.
Location. 44° 2.543′ N, 82° 59.637′ W. Marker is in Port Austin, Michigan
By Kathy Garman, June 27, 2020
2. The Learned House and Historical Marker
The house is now known as the Garfield Inn.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Mary of Czestochowa Roman Catholic Church / Katolicki Kosciół Matki Boskiej Czestochowskiej (approx. 6.3 miles away); Huron City (approx. 8.1 miles away); Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse (approx. 10.1 miles away).
Additional keywords. The Garfield Inn
By Kathy Garman, June 27, 2020
3. The Garfield Inn Street Sign
The historical marker can be seen in the distance, below the tree between the flag pole and the Garfield Inn sign.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. This page has been viewed 36 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 14, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
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