Woodland Township in Barry County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Woodland Town Hall
The area now known as Woodland Township was first settled in 1837 by Charles Galloway and Jonathan and Samuel Haight. In 1842, the state legislature set aside the township, which by then had several hundred residents. The area’s level surface and fertile soil attracted farmers who specialized in fruit, wheat and vegetables. By 1867 Woodland’s population had grown to about one thousand. On April 5 of that year, the township board voted to build a “town house.” The building committee—consisting of George Cramer, George Davenport, Alson P. Holly, John Holbrook, and Ira Stowell—drafted a plan, and construction began. The township board accepted the completed town hall and discharged the building committee three years later.
In 1867, after agreeing to build a hall, the Woodland Township board purchased this property from Lawrence Hilbert. Building committee member George Davenport erected the frame for the Greek Revival structure and later built the front doors. S. S. Ingerson enclosed the building, and Ira Stowell, another member of the building committee, was responsible for the completion of the hall. The handsome structure, with its hand-hewn timbers, cost nearly $2000. The two-story, 30' X 48' hall has been used by the township, fraternal organizations, traveling shows, community programs and a school. By 1984 the town hall was the only virtually unaltered early building in the community. Heated by a free standing wood stove, it was still used for the annual township meeting.
Erected 1984 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L940.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 42° 43.612′ N, 85° 7.914′ W. Marker is in Woodland, Michigan, in Barry County. It is in Woodland Township. Marker is at the intersection of East Broadway Street (Michigan Route 43) and South State Street, on the right when traveling east on East Broadway Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 190 East Broadway Street, Woodland MI 48897, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Clinton Trail (approx. 5 miles away); G.A.R. Hall (approx. 7.4 miles away); Sunfield G.A.R. Hall (approx. 7.4 miles away); Indian Landing - Charlton Park (approx. 8.3 miles away); Putnam Public Library (approx. 8.6 miles away); Vermontville First Home (approx. 8.6 miles away); Vermontville Academy (approx. 8.6 miles away); Vermontville First Schoolhouse (approx. 8.7 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 129 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 19, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.