Creston in Grand Rapids in Kent County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Veterans' Facility

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

1. Veterans' Facility Marker

Inscription. The Michigan Veterans’ Facility (formerly the Michigan Soldiers’ Home) was authorized by Act 152 of the Public Acts of 1885, which provided for the establishment of a home for disabled Michigan veterans. This act resulted from the efforts of Civil War veterans who were members of the Grand Army of the Republic. The home was dedicated in December 1886 with speeches by Governor Russell A. Alger, governor-elect Cyrus G. Luce, former governor Austin Blair, and various legislators. The need for nursing care was soon realized, and in 1891 an 80-bed hospital and an 80-bed annex were added to the 320-bed main building. A 30-bed unit for women dependants was built in 1893. In 1894 the fountain and the Civil War soldiers statue in the cemetery were completed. They are the only remaining structures of that period. A new hospital was built in 1909.

These buildings served Civil War veterans until 1938, when the last resident veteran of that conflict died. Veterans of the Spanish-American War and World War I were then being admitted, making construction of the Mann and Rankin buildings necessary. By 1965 World War II and Korean

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War veterans were using the facility in such numbers that a new concept of services was needed. This was realized in 1975, as increasing numbers of Vietnam veterans required assistance, with the completion of a new building to replace many of the oldest structures. At the time of its centennial celebration, in 1986, the Michigan Veterans’ Facility, with the support of an employee network, veterans’ organizations, the Board of Managers, and volunteers, continued to serve the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of many of Michigan’s disabled and needy veterans.

Erected 1986 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1254A.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1886.

Location. 43° 0.987′ N, 85° 39.648′ W. Marker is in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in Kent County. It is in Creston. It is on Monroe Avenue Northeast 0.1 miles north of 3 Mile Road Northeast, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this

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

2. Veterans' Facility Marker

postal address: 3000 Monroe Ave NE, Grand Rapids MI 49505, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Purple Heart Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans' Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old North Park Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Barber Briggs House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Baseball's Reserve Clause (approx. 1.6 miles away); They Played For The Love Of The Game (approx. 1.7 miles away); Creston World War II Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away); Monroe Avenue Water Filtration Plant / The Beginning of Water Fluoridation (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Rapids.

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

3. Veterans' Facility Marker

Hebe Fountain image. Click for full size.

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

4. Hebe Fountain

This fountain is mentioned on the marker. It was built in 1893.

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

5. Veterans' Facility Marker

Grand Rapids Home For Veterans

Cannon located adjacent to marker in front of the facility image. Click for full size.

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

6. Cannon located adjacent to marker in front of the facility

Marker in front of the Veterans' Facility image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nathan Bierma

7. Marker in front of the Veterans' Facility

Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 953 times since then and 92 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 7. submitted on March 8, 2024, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.