Vassar in Tuscola County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Vassar's Logging Era

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 30, 2026

1. Vassar's Logging Era Marker

The marker has been replaced with a new one with the same text.

Inscription. Here on the Cass River, March 1, 1849, four men led by Townsend North and James M. Edmunds found a suitable place to build a dam and start a town, which was named for Edmunds’ uncle, Matthew Vassar, later the founder of Vassar College, New York. The growth of the town for the next thirty years was based on lumbering and its many related industries. Cork pine, the best variety of white pine, grew in abundance along the Cass River and was much in demand. These kings of the forest grew to a height of 150 feet, a diameter of three or four feet. The wood was light, strong, easy to work with. Millions of board feet were marketed all over the world, especially in America’s prairie states. With forests depleted, a diversified economy developed here -- agriculture, manufacturing, and commercial business.

Erected 1965 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number L52.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 1, 1849.

Location. 43° 22.244′ N,

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83° 34.81′ W. Marker is in Vassar, Michigan, in Tuscola County. It is at the intersection of East Huron Avenue (State Highway 15) and North Water Street, on the left when traveling east on East Huron Avenue. The marker is located in front of the Vassar City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 287 East Huron Ave, Vassar MI 48768, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Thumb.

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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Frankenhilf (approx. 5.6 miles away); The Bavarian Colony of Frankenhilf (approx. 5.6 miles away); Site of the First Church in Richville (approx. 5.7 miles away); Watrous General Store (approx. 6.2 miles away); Juniata House (approx. 6.3 miles away); Watrousville United Methodist Church (approx. 6.4 miles away); Veteran's Grave Locations

Photographed by Kathy Garman, August 1, 2020

2. Vassar's Logging Era Marker

(approx. 6.4 miles away); Millington Bank Building (approx. 6.7 miles away).

Located in front of the Vassar City Hall. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, August 1, 2020

3. Located in front of the Vassar City Hall.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 30, 2026

4. Vassar's Logging Era Marker

This view is looking to the west along East Huron Avenue.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. This page has been viewed 723 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 1, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 2. submitted on December 27, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. 3. submitted on December 28, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. 4. submitted on June 1, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.