Hamtramck in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Colonel John Francis Hamtramck
Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 29, 2015
1. Colonel John Francis Hamtramck Marker
Side 1
John Francis Hamtramck was a native of Canada who dedicated his life to the new American nation. Born in 1756, Hamtramck fought in the American Revolution. He distinguished himself during and after the war fighting both Indian and British forces. In 1787 he was made commander of Post Vincennes in the Illinois Territory. There Major Hamtramck was instrumental in negotiating a peace treaty with area Indians.
Side 2
In 1793 Hamtramck was named lieutenant colonel in the forces led by General Anthony Wayne. The next year, Hamtramck was cited for bravery in Wayne's decisive victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. In 1796 Hamtramck, a newly appointed colonel, was further honored when he was given command of the fort at Detroit which had previously been in British hands. Except for two years, he remained there until his death in 1803. In 1798, one of the four townships in Wayne County was named for this military hero.
Erected 1976 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number S252.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary •
this page online
Location. 42° 23.397′ N, 83° 3.175′ W. Marker is in Hamtramck, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is at the intersection of Joseph Campau Avenue and Danforth Street, on the left when traveling south on Joseph Campau Avenue. The marker is in Veteran's Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hamtramck MI 48212, 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hamtramck Veteran's Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Hamtramck Stadium (a few steps from this marker); The Dodge Brothers / Dodge Main (within shouting distance of this
Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 29, 2015
2. Colonel John Francis Hamtramck Marker
Also see . . . Jean Franηois Hamtramck. Excerpt:
Colonel Hamtramck died on 11 April 1803 and was buried at Ste. Anne de Detroit Catholic Church. The officers under his command placed a stone to mark his grave, as a "grateful tribute to his merit and his worth". His body was moved in 1817 to the new Saint Anne's, then, in 1869, to Mount Elliott Cemetery. Hamtramck's remains were moved a final time in 1962 to Veterans Park in Hamtramck, Michigan.(Submitted on June 6, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 29, 2015
3. Colonel John Francis Hamtramck Marker and War Monument
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 5, 2021
4. Colonel John Francis Hamtramck Grave
Photographed by George Hamilton Thomas, circa 1928
5. Colonel John Francis Hamtramck
This is from a mural at the Detroit Water Board Building which completed in 1928.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,115 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 4, 5. submitted on June 6, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
