Hastings in Barry County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Indian Landing - Charlton Park

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou

1. Indian Landing - Charlton Park Marker

Inscription. In the early nineteenth century the Thornapple band of Ottawa Indians established a village a short distance from Thornapple Lake. It was served in the 1840s by a Methodist mission and school conducted by the Reverend Mannaseh Hickey. Trails leading to Canada and the Grand River intersected near the northeast end of the lake. In 1848 four Indian families purchased land here, remaining until their removal to northern Michigan about 1855. In 1936 Irving D. Charlton donated the land to Barry County for a park in memory of his parents and founded a museum with a large collection of pioneer artifacts. He served as director until his death in 1963.

Erected 1973 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L215.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 42° 37.188′ N, 85° 12.341′ W. Marker is in Hastings, Michigan, in Barry County.

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It can be reached from South Charlton Park Road. The marker is located on the left side of the main (north) entrance drive when entering Historic Charlton Park, before reaching the park area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2545 South Charlton Park Road, Hastings MI 49058, 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

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: McKeown Road Bridge (approx. 1.6 miles away); Barryville (approx. 2 miles away); Striker House (approx. 4½ miles away); First House in Hastings (approx. 4½ miles away); Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 4.6 miles away); Hastings High School World War I Memorial (approx. 4.6 miles away); Central School / Central School Auditorium (approx. 4.6 miles away); Hastings City Bank

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou

2. Indian Landing - Charlton Park Marker

North access road to the park area has the marker on the left.

(approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hastings.

Also see . . . Historic Charlton Park. Website homepage (Submitted on February 3, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Charlton Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou

3. Charlton Park

Entrance sign for the park located on South Charlton Park Road.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 627 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 3, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.