Embark

Embark. . , This captivating piece, painted by artist Kevin Burdick in 2024, honors two pivotal figures in Caro's history-Peter Bush and Ashdonquit-set against the serene backdrop of the Cass River. Their daring journey and unwavering determination played a critical role in establishing Caro as the head of Tuscola County's government, shaping the community we know today. , , In the mid-1800s, Vassar served as the county seat. As the county grew, calls arose to relocate the seat to a more central location. After six years of debate, the decision was made in 1866 to move it to Centerville-later renamed Caro. , , Peter Bush, one of Caro's first settlers, donated land and funded the construction of the county's first courthouse. However, Vassar officials refused to surrender the county records. To complete the transfer, Bush enlisted the help of his friend Ashdonquit-also known as Crossing Cloud or "Indian Dave". , , Under the cover of darkness, the two men paddled down the Cass River to Vassar, quietly retrieved the documents, and returned upstream to Caro. By sunrise, the county records were safely stored in the new courthouse-securing Caro's place as the county seat. , , This mural was created to honor the legacy of those men and tell the story of how history shaped Caro's future.