Hartford in Van Buren County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Van Buren County Poorhouse

Photographed by Dennis Allen Burlingham, July 19, 2011

1. Van Buren County Poorhouse Marker

Inscription. This two and a half story brick building was constructed in 1884 as the county poorhouse and infirmary. Here lived the indigent and mentally retarded from Van Buren County. Able-bodied residents worked on the grounds and on the adjacent farm where they produced much of the food for the poorhouse. Operating from 1951 to 1958 as the county social welfare office, the building's altered function reflected society's changing methods of aiding the poor. The County Historical Museum now occupies the structure.

Erected 1977 by Michigan History Division. (Marker Number 430.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 42° 12.854′ N, 86° 7.02′ W. Marker is in Hartford, Michigan, in Van Buren County. It can be reached from Red Arrow Highway 0.2 miles CR 681, on the right when traveling east. Located on North side of Van Buren County Fairgrounds and just West of the intersection of Red Arrow Highway and CR 681. Entrance is from Red Arrow Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6215 Red Arrow Highway, Hartford MI 49057, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan

and specifically in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. 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

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within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Grand Army of the Republic (approx. 6.8 miles away); Hamilton Grange Hall / Hamilton Fair (approx. 7.7 miles away); Covert Library (approx. 9.3 miles away); Covert World War II Memorial (approx. 9.3 miles away); Coloma Interurban Station (approx. 9.8 miles away); Baker Park (approx. 9.9 miles away); Lakeside Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 9.9 miles away); Decatur Township Hall (approx. 10.3 miles away).

More about this marker. Marker is on the outside wall of the building on an open front porch.

Van Buren County Poorhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dennis Allen Burlingham, July 19, 2011

2. Van Buren County Poorhouse

The Van Buren County Poorhouse now is occupied by a museum which houses many antique items and items of local interest.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2011, by Dennis Allen Burlingham of Hartford, Michigan, USA. This page has been viewed 2,201 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2011, by Dennis Allen Burlingham of Hartford, Michigan, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.