Nelson in Muskegon in Muskegon County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Old Indian Cemetery

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 29, 2023

1. Old Indian Cemetery Marker

Inscription. This cemetery was already established when the first white man came to the area. It is believed to have been used by the Ottawas as early as 1750 and is known to have been a burial ground from 1806 to 1854 for both Indians and settlers. The Daily-Badeau trading post existed from 1830 to 1848 on the shore of Muskegon Lake below the cemetery. Louis B. Badeau purchased Lot 2, containing the cemetery and much of downtown Muskegon, in 1839. This was the starting point for all the early surveys in the area. Near here Martin Ryerson set up his first sawmill. He obtained title to the cemetery, and in 1926 his son, Martin A. Ryerson, deeded it to Muskegon with the stipulation that it be maintained in perpetuity.

Erected 1964 by Michigan Historical Commission. This is Michigan Local Site No. 20. (Marker Number 20.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1750.

Location. 43° 14.25′ N, 86° 15.133′ W. Marker is in Muskegon, Michigan, in Muskegon County. It is in Nelson. Marker is on Morris Avenue west

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of First Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 298 Morris Ave, Muskegon MI 49440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Buster Keaton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Muskegon Woman's Club (approx. ¼ mile away); Central United Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Hackley Public Library (approx. ¼ mile away); Torrent House (approx. ¼ mile away); Hackley-Holt House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hume House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hackley House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Muskegon.

Also see . . . Muskegon’s Centuries-Old (1750) Indian Burial Ground. 2020 article by John Robinson on 99.1 WFMK’s website. Excerpt:

In a bustling section of Muskegon, surrounded by parking lots, a Social Security office, postal service, bus station, and transit system, lies an old Indian burial ground.

It was the first cemetery in Muskegon, on an acre of land deeded by sawmill owner Martin Ryerson. Even though it's listed as a Native American burial ground, many early settlers are buried there as well.

200 graves were accounted for in 1961.

(Submitted on August 2, 2023.)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 29, 2023

2. Old Indian Cemetery Marker

Boulder at the Old Indian Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 29, 2023

3. Boulder at the Old Indian Cemetery

Brass plaque reads, “Old Indian Cemetery — A burial place of the Ottawa Nation”.

Old Indian Cemetery, Muskegon, Michigan — A Burial Place of the Ottawa Nation image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 29, 2023

4. Old Indian Cemetery, Muskegon, Michigan — A Burial Place of the Ottawa Nation

The historical marker is obscured by the right edge of the darker tree to the left of the gate. A sign on the right post of the gate reads, “Visitors Welcome.”

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on February 23, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 2, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.