Plainfield Charter Township near Belmont in Kent County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

William Hyser
⎯⎯⎯
Austerlitz Post Office

William Hyser Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021

1. William Hyser Marker

Inscription.
William Hyser William Hyser (1826-1909), pioneer surgeon and Civil War captain, came to Plainfield Township in 1850, when it was a lumber center. In 1852 he built this Greek Revival house as a home and an office for his medical and civic duties. He was at various times township clerk, school inspector and supervisor, and justice of the peace. The house has also served as a stagecoach station and a post office. In 1976 it was moved to its present site. The only remaining structure from the original Plainfield village, it is now restored as a museum.

Austerlitz Post Office Plainfield was first settled in 1838. Its post office, known as the Austerlitz office because there was a Plainfield post office elsewhere, was established in 1843. It was later housed in this structure for a short time. At first mail came by horse; in 1848 it began to come by stagecoach; and in 1876, by rail via nearby Belmont. In the days before envelopes, letters were folded and closed by sealing wax and other means. The Austerlitz office operated until 1913 when it was consolidated into the one at Belmont.

Erected 1981 by Michigan History

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Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L0582.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 43° 3.836′ N, 85° 35.556′ W. Marker is near Belmont, Michigan, in Kent County. It is in Plainfield Charter Township. It is at the intersection of West River Drive Northeast and Mall Avenue Northeast, on the right when traveling east on West River Drive Northeast. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6440 W River Dr NE, Belmont MI 49306, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan

and in Greater Grand Rapids.

It is also in the American Midwest.

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Plainfield Charter Township Veterans Memorial

Austerlitz Post Office Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021

2. Austerlitz Post Office Marker

(approx. 0.9 miles away); Baseball's Reserve Clause (approx. 3.8 miles away); They Played For The Love Of The Game (approx. 3.8 miles away); Veterans' Cemetery (approx. 4.6 miles away); Old North Park Bridge (approx. 4.7 miles away); Purple Heart Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away); Veterans' Facility (approx. 4.8 miles away); Barber Briggs House (approx. 4.9 miles away).

William Hyser / Austerlitz Post Office Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021

3. William Hyser / Austerlitz Post Office Marker

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021

4. William Hyser / Austerlitz Post Office Marker

The William Hyser home is now the Hyser Rivers Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 928 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.

William Hyser⎯⎯⎯Austerlitz Post Office

William Hyser
⎯⎯⎯
Austerlitz Post Office