Sumpter Township near Belleville in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Old Rawsonville Village
Photographed By Joel S., September 8, 2015
1. Old Rawsonville Village Marker
Inscription.
Old Rawsonville Village. . Rawsonville, now a ghost town, was once a thriving village. On September 13, 1823, the first land patent in Van Buren Township was given to Henry Snow for this site, which was soon known as Snow's Landing. Called Rawsonville by 1838, the community reached its peak around the Civil War. It then boasted sawmills, grist mills, two cooper shops, a stove factory, several drygoods and general stores, a wagon maker and three saloons. Rawsonville's failure to attract railroad service led to its decline. By the 1880s many of its businesses and mills had closed and its residents were moving away. In 1925 dam erected on the Huron River covered most of the remaining structures with the newly-formed Belleville Lake.
Rawsonville, now a ghost town, was once a thriving village. On September 13, 1823, the first land patent in Van Buren Township was given to Henry Snow for this site, which was soon known as Snow's Landing. Called Rawsonville by 1838, the community reached its peak around the Civil War. It then boasted sawmills, grist mills, two cooper shops, a stove factory, several drygoods and general stores, a wagon maker and three saloons. Rawsonville's failure to attract railroad service led to its decline. By the 1880s many of its businesses and mills had closed and its residents were moving away. In 1925 dam erected on the Huron River covered most of the remaining structures with the newly-formed Belleville Lake.
Erected 1985 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State and GFWC Belleville Area Intermediate Study Club. (Marker Number L1129.)
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 date for this entry is September 13, 1823.
Location. 42° 12.833′ N, 83° 32.606′ W. Marker is near Belleville, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Sumpter Township. Marker is at the intersection of Rawsonville Road and South Grove
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Street, on the left when traveling south on Rawsonville Road. The marker is in front of a McDonalds restaurant that is 0.4 miles south of I-94. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2193 Rawsonville Road, Belleville MI 48111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,000 times since then and 167 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 9, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
