Garden City in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
A Nankin Pioneer
Photographed by Joel S., July 29, 2010
1. A Nankin Pioneer Marker
Inscription.
A Nankin Pioneer. . On May 10, 1825, Marcus Swift, from Palmyra, N. Y., bought the northwest corner of Section 11 in Nankin Township from the United States government. He was the first to own land now part of Garden City. The Swift family's log cabin overlooked the River Rouge, a few rods from this site. The area was a dense hardwood forest. On May 28, 1827, Swift was elected the first supervisor of Bucklin, which consisted of the present Redford, Dearborn, Livonia, and Nankin townships and had a population of less than 500, not including a few Indians. Swift was appointed Justice of the Peace by Governor Lewis Cass in 1828. He was also a Methodist circuit rider and a vociferous opponent of slavery.
On May 10, 1825, Marcus Swift, from Palmyra, N. Y., bought the northwest corner of Section 11 in Nankin Township from the United States government. He was the first to own land now part of Garden City. The Swift family's log cabin overlooked the River Rouge, a few rods from this site. The area was a dense hardwood forest. On May 28, 1827, Swift was elected the first supervisor of Bucklin, which consisted of the present Redford, Dearborn, Livonia, and Nankin townships and had a population of less than 500, not including a few Indians. Swift was appointed Justice of the Peace by Governor Lewis Cass in 1828. He was also a Methodist circuit rider and a vociferous opponent of slavery.
Erected by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number L0041.)
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 month for this entry is May 1836.
Location. 42° 20.19′ N, 83° 20.773′ W. Marker is in Garden City, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is at the intersection of Warren Road and Sunset Drive, on the right when traveling east on Warren Road. Sunset Drive is 0.3 miles east of Merriman Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Garden City MI 48135, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. 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 Viceroyalty of New France and also the Northwest Territory.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,725 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
