Thornapple Township near Middleville in Barry County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Scales’ Prarie

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 14, 2024

1. Scales’ Prarie Marker

Inscription. In 1834 Louis Moran, member of a French family prominent in Detroit since the mid-1700s, purchased land here and opened a log tavern and trading post. An Indian settlement called Middle Village was nearby, on the trail from Gull Prairie to Grand Rapids. Moran moved to Grand Rapids about 1837 and his interests were taken over by nineteen-year-old Robert Scales of Kentucky. Since then the area has been known as Scales’ Prairie although its namesake departed after a ten year residence.

Erected 1972 by Michigan Historical Commission. Registered Local Site. (Marker Number 191.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 42° 41.782′ N, 85° 29.762′ W. Marker is near Middleville, Michigan, in Barry County. It is in Thornapple Township. It is at the intersection of Adams Road and Norris Road, on the right when traveling east on Adams Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10490 Adams Rd, Middleville MI 49333, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan

and in Greater Grand Rapids.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John Carveth House (approx. 1½ miles away); Middleville Area POW MIA Killed in Action Memorial

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(approx. 1.9 miles away); Calvin G. Hill Memorial Park (approx. 2 miles away); Mount Hope Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.3 miles away); Bowen's Mills (approx. 3.1 miles away); Parmelee United Methodist Church (approx. 4.2 miles away); David Kinsey Home (approx. 6.1 miles away); Yankee Springs Inn (approx. 6½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middleville.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 14, 2024

2. Scales’ Prarie Marker

Scales’ Prarie image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 14, 2024

3. Scales’ Prarie

View southwest from the marker. Norris Road is on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 304 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.