Crossroad Park in Portage in Kalamazoo County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Celery Flats Historical Area
Portage: A Natural Place to Move
Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 3, 2026
1. Celery Flats Historical Area Marker
Celery Flats
Celery Flats was named after the city's rich celery farming heritage, which began in the 1860's and earned Portage a national reputation for its bundles of sun blanched, white crispy stalks. The production of celery significantly enhanced the growth of Portage. Many farmers began converting to vegetable and flower growing operations as competition increased with green Pascal varieties and changes in the water table impacted celery farming in the area.
Established in 1988, the Celery Flats Historical Area was developed to preserve the waterway of Portage Creek, provide diverse recreational opportunities and highlight Portage history. The first structure built in the newly created historical area was the Celery Flats Interpretive Center in 1988, which was replaced with a stone pavilion in 2019. Other historic structures, displaced by development, were moved to the historical area, including the District #8 One-room Schoolhouse, Grain Elevator, Hayloft Theatre, and Stuart Manor.
1. District #8 Schoolhouse
Built in 1856, the District #8 Schoolhouse, commonly known as the Prairie Edge School, operated
this page online
2. Grain Elevator
Built in 1931 by Garrett Mein to replace a wooden structure that burned in 1930. The Portage Grain Elevator stood on the corner of Shaver Road and Centre Avenue. Located by the Portage Train Depot, the Grain Elevator was frequented by farmers from the surrounding areas. The structure was owned and operated by the Mein family until the early 1950s. Camilla Kish donated the Grain Elevator to the City in 1990, when it was moved to Celery Flats and restored the same year.
3. Hayloft Theatre
Built between 1900-1920, the Hayloft Theatre, originally owned by Vern and Mary Myers, was previously located on East Milham Avenue. Prior to being moved to Celery Flats and renovated in 1992, the Hayloft Theatre was used for storage in the 1940s. It was converted to a theatre and
Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 3, 2026
2. Celery Flats Historical Area Sign
The marker is at the entrance to the Celery Flats Historical Area, which is part of Portage Creek Bicentennial Park.
4. Stuart Manor
Built in 1864, Stuart Manor was previously located at 1324 West Milham Avenue, and donated to the City of Portage by Dr. Douglas J. Brown in 1994. The home was moved to its current site a few months later. Owned at one time by U.S. Senator Charles Stuart, it is the oldest home in Portage, built by William Welch and his wife Henrietta. Stuart Manor was rumored to have been used as a station on the Underground Railway.
5. Amphitheatre
Constructed in 1994, this amphitheatre seats 123 people in a private outdoor venue. It was installed to expand performance opportunities and events at Celery Flats, including weddings. The surrounding lawn seating area increases its capacity to 200 people.
Your Backyard is Bigger Than You Think
1,000 Acres. 18 Parks. One City
Erected by Portage Parks & Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1988.
Location. 42° 12.599′ N, 85° 35.079′ W. Marker is in Portage, Michigan, in Kalamazoo County. It is in Crossroad Park. It is on Garden Lane 0.3 miles east of South Westnedge Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7335 Garden Ln, Portage MI 49002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan. It is also in the American Midwest. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Stuart Manor (within shouting distance of this marker); District No. 8 Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Portage District No. 8 School (within shouting distance of this marker); Portage Grain Elevator / Feed Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Hayloft Theatre (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Central Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gregory B. Jarvis and Roger B. Chaffee Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); For A Pal (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portage.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 24, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
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