Imlay City in Lapeer County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Imlay City Mural — Charles Palmer

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 5, 2022

1. Imlay City Mural — Charles Palmer Marker

Inscription. Dedicated August 1, 2008
By Artists: Arla Slogar and Linda Dyball
Sponsored by the Imlay City DDA and a generous grant from Four County Community Foundation
Charles Palmer The mural depicts Charles Palmer, founder of Imlay City. Charles Palmer was the chief civil engineer and surveyor for the Port Huron & Lake Michigan Railroad. With the expansion of the railroad westward from Port Huron, Mr. Palmer selected this locality as a likely produce market between Attica and Capac. He purchased a tract of two hundred and forty acres of land, planned and surveyed the streets and named the village Imlay City, as the township had been named Imlay in 1850 after a Connecticut-based capitalist William H. Imlay. The village of Imlay City was incorporated by an act of legislature on April 4, 1873. Imlay City became a city in April of 1970.

First Train Depot The first depot was of wood construction with separate waiting rooms for men and women. The depot was destroyed by fire some time after 1921. In 1927 the existing brick depot was constructed and in 1930, a 25' x 25' addition was built on the west end for baggage.

Railroad Trains

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began running through Imlay City on August 15, 1870. After 101 years, passenger service was discontinued in 1971.

First Town Clock The Town Hall was built in 1902 and was located on the northwest corner of Almont Avenue and Fourth Street. The building contained the city offices, a jail, the fire department, and an opera house. In 1903 a clock was installed on the tower and in 1904 a fire bell was added. The clock tower was removed in 1941 and the entire building torn down in 1976.

Lumber In 1870, Imlay City and the immediate vicinity was mostly forest. All lumber camps within 25 miles purchased supplies in Imlay City and half a dozen mills shipped their lumber and shingles from here. In 1870, over $300,000 was paid out for square timber and staves, making 600 carloads.

Livestock and Produce In the late 1800's a number of farms were settled in Imlay City. The farms not only produced sustenance for the families but also provided an income. In the late 1800's the railroad built four large cattle yards near the tracks on Almont Avenue. Farmers raised hogs, sheep and cattle to sell and shipped dairy products. Livestock and products

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 5, 2022

2. Imlay City Mural — Charles Palmer Marker

Left mural

were shipped to Buffalo and Chicago markets.

As early as 1925 Imlay Township farmers were growing cucumbers under contract, and salting stations were common. In 1946 the Patzer Food Products Company built a large plant to make cucumber pickles and sauerkraut. They had 45 pickling tanks for salting and the pickles then went to Detroit for slicing and canning. In 1957 Vlasic Food Products Company bought the 14-acre plant from Patzer and steadily began to enlarge the facilities.

Erected 2008 by Imlay City Downtown Development Authority.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is April 4, 1873.

Location. 43° 1.439′ N, 83° 4.476′ W. Marker is in Imlay City, Michigan, in Lapeer County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and East 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 244 East 3rd Street, Imlay City MI 48444, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 5, 2022

3. Imlay City Mural — Charles Palmer Marker

Right mural

is in Southeast 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 walking distance of this marker: Yerex Building - 1882 (within shouting distance of this marker); Rosie the Riveter Memorial Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Trunk Depot - 1927 (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Trunk Railroad Depot / Imlay City (within shouting distance of this marker); Ornamental Iron Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Imlay Township Hall Library - 1951 (within shouting distance of this marker); Imlay City Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grettenberger Field (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Imlay City.

Also see . . . Murals commemorate rich Imlay City history. Article in the August 14, 2008 edition of the Lapeer Area View about the two murals. (Submitted on April 10, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 5, 2022

4. Imlay City Mural — Charles Palmer Marker

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 5, 2022

5. Imlay City Mural — Charles Palmer Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 8, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.