Cross Village in Emmet County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Cross Village, Michigan

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 6, 2023

1. Cross Village, Michigan Marker

Inscription.
1600s - In the mid 1600s, the Jesuit Fathers established an extensive log mission station first below and then here on the bluff. The Odawa called it Ahnamiwatigoning or Prayer Place by the Cross and the French called this settlement La Croix or Cross Village.

1691 - Fr. Sebastian Rasle wrote that a 100-foot cross, erected by Fr. Jacques Marquette, marked the La Croix settlement for lake travelers.

1740s - After the massacre at Ft. Michilimackinac, the Odawa and Jesuit Fr. DuJauney saved the surviving British here at the La Croix Mission.

1765 - The mission station was abandoned with the recall of the Jesuits.

1833 - Father Frederic Baraga rebuilt the old log mission church. It was burned when a fire swept the village in 1918.

Documents indicate that this is likely the oldest established Christian community in lower Michigan and the community has faithfully replaced the cross as it weathered.

Erected by Cross Village Community Services.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1691.

Location. 45° 38.606′ N,

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85° 2.119′ W. Marker is in Cross Village, Michigan, in Emmet County. It is at the intersection of North Lake Shore Drive and Stone Church Road, on the left when traveling north on North Lake Shore Drive. Marker is in Cross Village Township Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cross Village MI 49723, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula

and in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Great North Woods,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The History of Redpath Memorial Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Cross Village Township Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Legs Inn (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line);

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 6, 2023

2. Cross Village, Michigan Marker

Light Houses of Grays Reef Passage (about 600 feet away); L'Arbre Croche (approx. 2.1 miles away); Area Of The Old Council Tree (approx. 2½ miles away); Pioneer Picnic Park (approx. 5½ miles away); Middle Village (approx. 7.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cross Village.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,089 times since then and 171 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 31, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.