Avalon Beach in Monroe County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

LaPlaisance Bay

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 29, 2020

1. Repainted LaPlaisance Bay Marker

Inscription. LaPlaisance Bay - the pleasant bay - was named in 1679 by Robert De LaSalle. After the War of 1812, it became part of the United States. In 1820 Maj. John Whipple was appointed keeper of the LaPlaisance Bay lighthouse. April 19, 1825 Col. John Anderson organized the Harbor of Southern Michigan. With the Erie Canal open in 1825 a great migration into the Michigan Territory began. Large warehouses and wharves were built around the harbor and along LaPlaisance Road. Stagecoaches took travellers north and Michigan's first railroad carried newcomers three miles into town. On June 23, 1827, 200 barrels of flour became the first shipment from LaPlaisance Bay east. As larger ships came into port, the bay became too shallow for shipping. This area, now known as Bolles Harbor, has become a recreational port enjoyed by fishermen and pleasure boats. The bay and the road are still known as LaPlaisance. When the Daughters of the American Colonists organized their chapter March 5, 1954, it seemed appropriate to name it after this historical place - LaPlaisance Bay.

Erected by The LaPlaisance Bay Chapter, Daughters of the Daughters

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of the American Colonists.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Colonists series list.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 41° 52.337′ N, 83° 22.777′ W. Marker was in Avalon Beach, Michigan, in Monroe County. It could be reached from Lake Street 0.1 miles east of Bolles Harbor Drive, on the right when traveling east. Located between the parking lot and the lake, where Lake Street dead ends. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Monroe MI 48161, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It was also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it was in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

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

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

LaPlaisance Bay Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Baker

2. LaPlaisance Bay Marker

3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: LaPlaisance Bay Settlement (approx. half a mile away); Airborne Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Michigan: Historic Crossroads / Michigan: Twenty-Sixth State (approx. 1½ miles away); Indian Attack (approx. 2.2 miles away); George Francis Heath, M.D. (approx. 2½ miles away); Boston Custer - Autie Reed (approx. 2½ miles away); Custer-Reed Plot (approx. 2½ miles away); The Old Hull Road (approx. 2½ miles away).

Photographed by Michael Baker

3. LaPlaisance Bay Marker

Photographed by Shirley J Reeve, May 18, 2024

4. LaPlaisance Bay Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2017, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,473 times since then and 68 times this year. Last updated on January 21, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on January 21, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2017, by Michael Baker of Lima, Ohio. 4. submitted on June 1, 2024, by Shirley J Reeve of Grand Blanc, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.