Grayling in Crawford County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chief Shoppenagon / Shoppenagon's Homesite

Photographed By Joel Seewald, June 20, 2022

1. Chief Shoppenagon / Shoppenagon's Homesite Marker

Inscription. Chief Shoppenagon Chief David Shoppenagon was born in Indianfields, a Chippewa Indian Village in the Saginaw River Valley. In 1795 his grandfather, also a Chippewa chief, was among the Indians who met with General Anthony Wayne at Fort Greenville, Ohio, and signed a treaty that ended forty years of warfare in the Ohio Valley. Shoppenagon arrived in the Grayling area from the Saginaw Valley during the early 1870s. He trapped, hunted, and was a guide for sportsmen throughout the northern Lower Peninsula.

Shoppenagon's Homesite Chief David Shoppenagon had a house near this site, though he spent much of his time along the lakes and rivers of the area. Whites called him "Old Shopp" and welcomed is campfire tales of bear and deer hunts. He made canoes and paddles by hand and was a river guide in the area. In the early 1900s, a local inn, the area's cork pine and a maple flooring company were named for Chief Shoppenagon. The chief died on Christmas Day 1911. He was believed to be 103 years old.

Erected 1981 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L757.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Native Americans. In addition,

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it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1795.

Location. 44° 39.595′ N, 84° 42.72′ W. Marker is in Grayling, Michigan, in Crawford County. Marker is at the intersection of Ingham Street and North James Street (State Highway 72), on the right when traveling east on Ingham Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Ingham Street, Grayling MI 49738, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Au Sable Riverboat Commemoration (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Grayling Anchor (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); City of Grayling and Camp Grayling Partnership (about 300 feet away); The M4 Sherman (about 300 feet away); The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star (about 400 feet away); The 75 MM Pack Howitzer (about 400 feet away); M60 Tank (about 400 feet away); Grayling Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grayling.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, June 20, 2022

2. Chief Shoppenagon / Shoppenagon's Homesite Marker

Chief David Shoppenagon image. Click for more information.

via Saginaw County Hall of Fame, unknown

3. Chief David Shoppenagon

Saginaw County Hall of Fame website
Click for more information.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, June 20, 2022

4. Chief Shoppenagon / Shoppenagon's Homesite Marker

View of the marker looking toward the west with the M-72 bridge over the Au Sable River in the background.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, June 20, 2022

5. Chief Shoppenagon / Shoppenagon's Homesite Marker

View of the marker with the Au Sable River and the Au Sable Fly Shop.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 425 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3. submitted on June 25, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5. submitted on June 24, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.