Allendale in Ottawa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Traders Creek Landing

August 10, 2026

1. Traders Creek Landing Marker

Inscription.
The family history of the Chippewa people living in Michigan goes back hundreds of years before the Europeans came. The Indian people survived and prospered here in Allendale. The Chippewa tribe consisted of the Odawa (Ottawa), Potawatomi, and Ojibway people. Along the banks of the Grand River, within Allendale Charter Township, were villages near the mouth of Bass River, Traders Creek, and Ottawa Creek. In 1810, Pierre Constant was the first European to set foot in what is now Allendale Charter Township. Pierre was a French fur trader who established a trading post at the location where Traders Creek flows into the Grand River, where he bought furs from and lived among Chippewa people. The Chippewa people lived in this village until a series of Indian Treaties in the 1830's caused the Indians to lose their land in this part of Michigan.

With Indian rights to the land gone, investors from the eastern states became excited about the prospect of timbering the forests of Michigan, since there was a large supply of timber and the land was available for a small price. The area around Traders Creek fell victim to

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

such a speculator's dream in 1836. The land was purchased, a village was designed on paper, and the speculators proceeded to try to sell the lots. According to available records, no lots were ever sold in this "city", which was named Charleston.

In June of 1843, Richard and Rebecca Roberts purchased the first land in Allendale to be actually lived on by owner. Their 160 acres was located at Charleston, the area formerly known as Traders Creek, near the area where the trading post had been. The Roberts family established a sawmill, blacksmith shop, store, and spoke mill at this location. Over the years, a small, thriving community developed in this area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1843.

Location. 42° 57.988′ N, 85° 56.489′ W. Marker is in Allendale, Michigan, in Ottawa County. It is on Constant Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10888 Constant Drive, Allendale MI 49401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West

August 10, 2026

2. Traders creek landing Marker

Michigan,

specifically in Greater Grand Rapids,

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

Globally, it is in North America,

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 Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Blendon Landing (approx. 2.8 miles away); Interurban Depot (approx. 6.8 miles away); Charles W. Westover (approx. 6.8 miles away); Jenison Museum (approx. 9.1 miles away); Noordeloos / Noordeloos Christian Reformed Church (approx. 10½ miles away); 1869 Vriesland Reformed Church / 1869 Vriesland Reformed Church Building (approx. 10.7 miles away); Jamestown (approx. 11 miles away); Jamestown Veterans Park (approx. 11 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. South Olive Christian Reformed Church (was approx. 9.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2026. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on August 30, 2026. 2. submitted on August 11, 2026. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.