St. Charles in Saginaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Saginaw Valley Coal

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021

1. Saginaw Valley Coal Marker

Inscription. Coal was first mined in Michigan in the 1830s in Jackson County, and that area led in production through the 1880s. In the next decade dozens of mines were opened in Bay, Saginaw, and Shiawasee counties, producing thousands of tons of coal annually. The hamlet of St. Charles, in the center of this new coal field, expanded rapidly, “touched by the magic hand of good luck.” More than 1,000 people were here by 1900, and the State Coal Mine Inspector maintained his office here for years. After World War I a series of labor strikes and diminishing returns from the mines led to a decline in the state’s coal production. Swan Creek Mine, the last producing coal mine in Michigan, closed in 1952.

Erected 1972 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number S362.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 43° 18.422′ N, 84° 8.571′ W. Marker is in St. Charles, Michigan, in Saginaw County. Marker is at the intersection of North Saginaw Street (State Highway 52) and Parkway Drive, on the right when traveling south on North Saginaw Street. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 200 Parkway Drive, Saint Charles MI 48655, 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. 8" Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); Early St. Charles (approx. half a mile away); Local Historical Site (approx. 0.7 miles away); St. Charles Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Schroeder House (approx. 1.2 miles away); George Nason House (approx. 8½ miles away); Leamington Stewart House (approx. 8½ miles away); Woodland Trail (approx. 8.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Charles.

Also see . . . Coal Mine. From a page on Swan Creek Township's website: "The Swan Creek mine was producing 100 tons of coal daily. At that time coal produced there was sold directly at the mine. Trucks from Saginaw Valley Towns came to get loads of soft coal-lump, egg and stoker varieties. The Swan Creek mine's shaft was sunk in 1941....the coal was hoisted up from a depth of 200 feet." (Submitted on September 16, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021

2. Saginaw Valley Coal Marker

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 28, 2021

3. Saginaw Valley Coal Marker

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 26, 2021

4. Saginaw Valley Coal Marker

Marker is located at northeastern section of this park near the gazebo.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 386 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3. submitted on September 16, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 4. submitted on August 30, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.