Benzonia in Benzie County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Bruce Catton
Bruce Catton's fascination with the Civil War began in Benzonia, where he grew up with Civil War veterans, who "gave a color and a tone, not merely to our village life, but to the concept of life with which we grew up." He was impressed by their certainty, their values and their faith in bravery, patriotism, freedom and the progress of the human race. He wrote, "I think I was always subconsciously driven by an attempt to restate that faith and to show where it was properly grounded, how it grew out of what a great many
young men on both sides felt and believed and were brave enough to do." In the 1970s, Catton turned his thoughts to his native state, writing Waiting for the Morning Train, an account of the Michigan of his boyhood, and Michigan: A Bicentennial History.Erected 1984 by Michigan History Division, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S0560.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 44° 37.147′ N, 86° 5.938′ W. Marker is in Benzonia, Michigan, in Benzie County. Marker is on Michigan Avenue (U.S. 31) north of Traverse Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 891 Michigan Avenue, Benzonia MI 49616, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mills Community House (here, next to this marker); Benzonia College (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of the First College Building (about 400 feet away); Crystal Lake (approx. 0.6 miles away); Joyfield Cemetery (approx. 4.7 miles away); Honor Area WWII Honor Roll (approx. 5 miles away); First Congregational Church (approx. 6.9 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Benzonia.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Bruce Catton Obituary. (Submitted on September 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Bruce Catton at Find A Grave. (Submitted on September 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Bruce Catton at American Heritage. (Submitted on September 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 644 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.