Albion in Calhoun County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mother's Day In Albion / Mother's Day
On May 13, 1877, the second Sunday of the month, Juliet Calhoun Blakeley stepped into the pulpit of the Methodist-Episcopal Church and completed the sermon for the Reverend Myron Daugherty. According to local legend, Daugherty was distraught because an antitemperance group had forced his son to spend the night in a saloon. Proud of the mother's achievement, Charles and Moses Blakeley encouraged others to pay tribute to their mothers. In the 1880s the Albion Methodist church began celebrating Mother's Day in Blakeley's honor.
Marker Reverse:
The official observance of Mother's Day resulted from the efforts of Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia. In 1868 her mother had organized a Mother's Friendship Day in a West Virginia town to unite Confederate and Union families after the Civil War. Anna Reeves Jarvis died on the second Sunday in May 1905. In 1907 her daughter began promoting the second Sunday in May as a holiday to honor mothers. Following an act of Congress in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May Mother's Day.
Erected 1990 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number 1723.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Women. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #28 Woodrow Wilson, and the Michigan Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1861.
Location. 42° 14.563′ N, 84° 45.087′ W. Marker is in Albion, Michigan, in Calhoun County. Marker is at the intersection of East Erie Street and South Ionia Street, on the right when traveling east on East Erie Street. Marker is in Rieger Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albion MI 49224, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Homestead Savings & Loan Association, F.A. (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Home (about 600 feet away); Gardner House Museum (about 600 feet away); First Presbyterian Church (about 600 feet away); The Observatory (approx. 0.4 miles away); Birthplace of Famed Song (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Gale House (approx. half a mile away); Albion College (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albion.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2010. This page has been viewed 945 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 21, 2010. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.