Kerrytown in Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Courthouse Square: A Center of Civic Life

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 30, 2020

1. Courthouse Square: A Center of Civic Life Marker

Inscription.
Citizens from town, country, and university gathered on Courthouse Square for important civic events. In 1861, friends of the Union assembled there to hear reports of the Confederate army attack on Fort Sumter. On April 15, university president Henry Tappan and other prominent townspeople went to the old Courthouse to adddress citizens about the crisis. The meeting overflowed across the square into the street. Resolutions were passed supporting President Lincoln and establishing a committee to assist in organizing military companies.

Four Ann Arbor military units were quickly formed. The "Silver Greys," a Home Guard unit made up of men over age forty-five, included Tappan and the town's most illustrious citizens.

Sponsored by the Ann Arbor Community Foundation

Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library

Erected by Ann Arbor Historical Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 15, 1861.

Location. 42° 16.899′ N, 83° 44.901′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in Kerrytown. It is at the

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intersection of North Main Street and East Huron Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 East Huron Street, Ann Arbor MI 48104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

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 of this marker: Departing Heroes and the Home Front (here, next to this marker); Politics and Processions on Courthouse Square (here, next to this marker); Architecture & Business on Courthouse Square (a few steps from this marker); Hospitality on Courthouse Square (a few steps from this marker); Michigan Becomes a State (a few steps from this marker); Building New Around Old: The Construction of the Present Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Last Deposit (within shouting

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 30, 2020

2. Courthouse Square: A Center of Civic Life Marker

distance of this marker); A Landmark of Civic Pride on Courthouse Square (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ann Arbor.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 10, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.