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

Under the Oaks

By Dave Wilcox, May 5, 2012

1. Under the Oaks Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On July 6, 1854, a state convention of anti-slavery men was held in Jackson to found a new political party. Uncle Tom's Cabin had been published two years earlier, causing increased resentment against slavery, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of May, 1854 threatened to make slave states out of previously free territories. Since the convention day was hot and the huge crowd could not be accommodated in the hall, the meeting adjourned to an oakgrove on "Morgan's Forty" on the outskirts of town. Here a state-wide slate of candidates was selected and the Republican party was born. Winning an overwhelming victory in the elections of 1854, the Republican party went on to dominate national politics throughout the nineteenth century

Erected 1972 by State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number S0015.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Government & Politics

Under the Oaks Park image. Click for full size.

By Dave Wilcox, May 5, 2012

2. Under the Oaks Park

. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list.

Location. 42° 14.614′ N, 84° 24.938′ W. Marker is in Jackson, Michigan, in Jackson County. Marker is at the intersection of W. Franklin Street and Second Street, on the right when traveling west on W. Franklin Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jackson MI 49201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Austin Blair (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Paul's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Horace Ismon / Ismon Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Congregational Church (approx. half a mile away); Jacksonburg Public Square (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jackson.

Under the Oaks plaque image. Click for full size.

By Dave Wilcox, May 5, 2012

3. Under the Oaks plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. This page has been viewed 617 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 9, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.