Jackson in Jackson County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Deland Point: A Humanitarian Hub
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 29, 2022
1. Deland Point: A Humanitarian Hub Marker
The DeLand family's property was located on the northeast corner of Mechanic and Franklin streets from 1851 until 1878. Three family members participated in the Underground Railroad: William DeLand offered his family's home to freedom seekers, Mary DeLand fed guests, and their son, Charles DeLand, transported freedom seekers in a lumber wagon to the next stop. Their humanitarian efforts turned this intersection into an Underground Railroad hub.
Charles' memoires state that the family's home and barn "became a regular relay station on the underground railroad of those days.” Freedom seekers would arrive "in the night... were secreted during the day, and the next night forwarded to the next station. Many a weary night's ride fell to my lot, along the ... rough roads, across Leoni and Waterloo, to aid these... slaves on their way to freedom,” he wrote.
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In adulthood, Charles DeLand became editor of the American Citizen newspaper and often published fiery editorials denouncing slavery as an "abomination.” He also served as a Union Colonel in the Civil War and was commended for bravery.
Erected by Jackson County Michigan Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these
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Location. 42° 14.627′ N, 84° 24.355′ W. Marker is in Jackson, Michigan, in Jackson County. Marker is at the intersection of West Franklin Street and South Mechanic Street, on the right when traveling east on West Franklin Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 West Franklin Street, Jackson MI 49203, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Mary Star of the Sea Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Hurst Professional Building (about 700 feet away); St. Paul's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Austin Blair (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); City Bank and Trust Company, N.A. (approx. ¼ mile away); This alley is named for Emma Nichols (approx. ¼ mile away); Moments in Time (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jackson.
Also see . . . Deland and the Underground Railroad. Excerpt:
An impressive stone monument(Submitted on November 19, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)on the grounds of our State Capitol also pays tribute to the Civil War regiment he founded, First Michigan Sharpshooters, and bears his name and rank of “Colonel.” But DeLand had a secret life that few people knew about. The crusader was among a select group of Underground Railroad agents who transported fugitive slaves to safe houses along a corridor that passed through Jackson.Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 29, 20222. Deland Point: A Humanitarian Hub MarkerThis is the view from the marker looking at the location of the former home described on the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 149 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 19, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
