Byron Center in Kent County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Byron Township Hall

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 3, 2021

1. Byron Township Hall Marker

Side 1

Inscription. Byron Township Hall was built in 1876. Byron Center had been platted four years earlier from the Samuel S. Towner farm which was located in the geographic center of the township. The hall housed the township library until 1963 and continued to house government offices until 1986. The International Order of Odd Fellows held a ninety-nine-year lease on the second story of the building beginning in 1877. The Byron Center Historical Society purchased and restored the building in 1986.

In 1896 William Jennings Bryan, the “silver-tongued orator,” spoke here while stumping the country as the Democratic presidential candidate. Gerald R. Ford often met here with his constituents during his thirteen terms as Michigan’s Fifth District Congressman. The Byron Township Hall served as a forum for political speeches and provided space for community activities such as dances, weddings, meetings, and church services. It became the Byron Township Historical Museum in 1987.

Erected 1990 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1451.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location.

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42° 48.666′ N, 85° 43.541′ W. Marker is in Byron Center, Michigan, in Kent County. Marker is at the intersection of Prescott Street Southwest and Harlow Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling east on Prescott Street Southwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2506 Prescott St SW, Byron Center MI 49315, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. John Isaac Cutler House (approx. 4 miles away); 126th Infantry (approx. 5.3 miles away); Army National Guard Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.3 miles away); Jamestown Veterans Park (approx. 6 miles away); Jamestown (approx. 6 miles away); Jenison Museum (approx. 7 miles away); Benjamins-Spring House (approx. 8.3 miles away); Thrifty Acres (approx. 8½ miles away).

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 3, 2021

2. Byron Township Hall Marker

Side 2

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 3, 2021

3. Byron Township Hall Marker

Byron Township Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 3, 2021

4. Byron Township Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 446 times since then and 69 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.