Bath Township near Lansing in Clinton County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Gunnisonville
Purchasing one hundred sixty acres of farmland from the government, Elihu Gunnison, first settled this site, originally known as Gunnison, in 1835. This settlement, which its inhabitants often called “four corners,” had a general store owned and operated by Boyden Hubbard. After being appointed Postmaster, Hubbard opened the Gunnisonville Post Office in 1891 and operated it in his store. In 1901 rural mail service was initiated in this vicinity, and the old post office was discontinued. In spring of 1890 the townspeople established the community band, which performed for religious, educational and social gatherings; the following year, a bandstand was erected. During the later part of that decade, the Gunnisonville Band participated in several State Band Tournaments.
The Gunnisonville School was initially a center for social, religious and educational activities. It served as a school for nearly a century and a quarter, first being established in 1836 and continuing to operate, though only as a kindergarten in latter years, until 1963. The present one-room schoolhouse, the fourth to stand on this site, was constructed in 1907. It was refurbished as a living educational museum by the joint efforts of the Gunnisonville Restoration Committee and the Lansing School District in 1975. The Methodist Episcopal Church, now the United Methodist Church, was organized in 1862. Seven years prior to this, the local cemetery was established. In 1888 the present church edifice was completed and dedicated on November 4.
Erected 1979 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L449.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. 42° 48.776′ N, 84° 31.373′ W. Marker is near Lansing, Michigan, in Clinton County. It is in Bath Township. Marker is at the intersection of Wood Road and East Clark Road, on the right when traveling north on Wood Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2016 East Clark Road, Bath MI 48808, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gunnisonville United Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Bath Township Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away); In Memoriam James Couzens Agricultural School (approx. 3.7 miles away); Bath School Disaster (approx. 3.7 miles away); Turner-Dodge House (approx. 4˝ miles away); The Woman's Christian Temperance Union Fountain (approx. 4˝ miles away); Plymouth Congregational Church (approx. 4.7 miles away); North Presbyterian Church (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lansing.
Also see . . . Gunnisonville, Clinton County: The Michigan Town That Time Forgot. Excerpt:
Originally called "Gunnison", the town had a general store, other shops, a town band, bandstand, schoolhouse, Methodist Church and cemetery. A post office operated within the general store for only ten years: from Jan. 8, 1891 to April 15, 1901.(Submitted on April 26, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 26, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.