In 1831 the first white settlers in the area built a fur trading post near this site, called “Little Forks” by the Indians. When Midland County was organized in 1850, 65 people lived here. In 1856, Henry C. Ashmun, the county’s first . . . — — Map (db m163599) HM
When completed in 1908 the Upper Bridge, today known as the Currie Parkway Bridge, replaced its wooden predecessor as the main crossing over the Tittabawassee River. The Joliet Bridge and Iron Company of Illinois constructed the bridge for $7,500. . . . — — Map (db m163684) HM
This church, originally located in Averill, was
donated to the Sanford Historical Society by Mrs. Gert Bailey in memory of her husband,
Clare Bailey. It was originally built in 1881, moved to this location in 1979 and restored in 1982. Many . . . — — Map (db m160032) HM
This railroad depot was built by the Pere
Marquette railroad when the railroad came to
Sanford in 1870. It was originally located in
town near the present day site of the Sanford
trail head of the Pere Marquette rails to trails.
Use of the . . . — — Map (db m160019) HM
This one room school house was called the Felix
School and was located at the corner of Eleven
mile and Beamish roads in Jerome township.
The Holsinger family donated the school to the
Sanford Historical Society. The school was
originally . . . — — Map (db m160030) HM
Dedicated to the men
and women of Jerome Township who
served our county in time of war
and
to the
imperishable memory of
those who gave their lives
their sacrifice
and their consecration to a bitter task
become our challenge to . . . — — Map (db m160037) WM
The log cabin was built about 1879 and was moved to the
museum in 1971 from Five Mile Road in Averill. You can
still see the faint outlines of the street number by the
front door. The Sanford Historical Society purchased
the cabin from Byron and . . . — — Map (db m160022) HM
This building was built on site and shows how the
lumberjacks lived in the white pine forests of the area.
The sled with logs in front of the building shows one way
logs were moved to the banking grounds in Averill with
teams of horses. Another . . . — — Map (db m160026) HM
The main brick school was built in 1910 as a two-room school. The building was doubled in size in 1939 by Works Progress Administration workers. K thru 8th grade attended the school. The high school students went to Midland or Coleman for their . . . — — Map (db m160011) HM
The Olson store was located in the town of
Olson on the northeast corner of Nine Mile and
Olson Road in Lee Township. Elva (Larson)
Smith donated the store to the Sanford
Historical Society. The building was moved to
the museum grounds in . . . — — Map (db m160012) HM
Origins of the Salt Industry
Michigan’s early white settlers used salt for preserving fish and other foods, curing meats, and tanning hides as well as for cooking. Prior to statehood, salt was shipped from New York. Recognizing the . . . — — Map (db m167986) HM
This plaque is issued by the
Historical Society of Michigan
in recognition of
Sanford Centennial
Museum
founded in 1970
for more than 50 years of
continuous operation in service
to the people of Michigan
and for contributing to . . . — — Map (db m160591) HM
Property was purchased for a church in Sanford on February 27, 1895. The
property, located on Smith Road, was the site of the church for more than 60
years. The main body of the church of St. Agnes was finished in 1897, with
the first Mass . . . — — Map (db m160014) HM
This town hall was used by elected officials to hold meetings and provided for the needs of the area. The Town Hall was built in 1910 for around $300.00. While in existence in the late 1960's and 1970's, the Sanford police department also used . . . — — Map (db m160031) HM
Z. Taylor and Sara Brown moved their family to Midland in 1884. A rancher and merchant, Brown had this house built in 1899. Featuring carved wood details, an art glass window, and three fireplaces connected to a single chimney, the house is believed . . . — — Map (db m86496) HM
In use by May 31, 1885, 10-acre southeast corner of this tract was accepted as gift of Midland Town Co., by commissioners of newly organized Midland County in their first meeting on Aug. 10, 1885. Veterans of the Mexican War and Civil War are among . . . — — Map (db m86396) HM
The First Baptist Church of Midland began serving the city shortly after Midland's founding in 1885. That year, Baptists from Pecos, Big Spring and Midland agreed to hire the Rev. S.B. Callaway to serve the three congregations. Under his leadership, . . . — — Map (db m86341) HM
Chartered in 1890, the First Christian Church of Midland was organized by sixteen members who met in private homes until 1892. A tradition of service to the church and community began when charter member S. E. Townsend pledged $300 toward the first . . . — — Map (db m86394) HM
Organized in Odessa on August 22, 1902, as Odessa National Bank, this institution began with an initial capital of $25,000. In June 1903 the shareholders voted to move the bank to Midland and rename it Midland National Bank.
Bank offices were . . . — — Map (db m86689) HM
George H.W. Bush, future President of the United States, moved to Texas in 1948 with his wife, Barbara, future First Lady, and their young son, George W., to begin work as an equipment clerk for the International Derrick & Equipment Company in . . . — — Map (db m115867) HM
George Herbert Walker Bush and wife Barbara (Pierce) came to Texas in 1948, moving to Midland with son George Walker Bush in 1950. They bought this home in 1951 and while here faced the loss of daughter Robin and celebrated the birth of two sons. . . . — — Map (db m115868) HM
Mechanical genius who made and flew first locally-owned aircraft. Born in Austria, Pliska came with parents to Texas, and after 1903 followed blacksmith trade in Midland. He built (1912) and flew at intervals up to 15 minutes an aeroplane of his own . . . — — Map (db m86497) HM
Plotted in 1849 by a U. S. Army surveying expedition under Capt. Randolph B. Marcy. Guided by Manuel, a Comanche Indian, Marcy crossed the dreaded Staked Plains of West Texas, proving their feasibility for travel, and opening a new and shorter road . . . — — Map (db m86655) HM
Standard gauge 66-mile line built by David Fasken, Sr., to carry cattle, ranch supplies, passengers.
Operated 1916 to 1920—critical era of World War I and world starvation aftermath. Linked towns of Fasken, Florey, and Seminole with Texas . . . — — Map (db m86338) HM
A 2-year, coeducational college that functioned 1910-1921. H. R. Garrett was first president. Students rode horse-drawn bus to campus; edited yearbook, "The Sandstorm." Some 250 attended in 1917. Financial stress forced closure. The 3-story gray . . . — — Map (db m86340) HM
Formed from Tom Green County.
Created March 4, 1885
Organized March 25, 1885
Named for its location which is halfway between Ft. Worth and El Paso.
County Seat Midland
First named Midway — — Map (db m86535) HM
First known as the junction of many trails and site of the last Comanche raid into Texas.
In 1881 the Texas and Pacific Railroad was built, equi-distant between El Paso and Fort Worth, this became known as Midland. First settler was a sheepman . . . — — Map (db m86699) HM
The discovery of oil in the Permian Basin during the 1920s helped sustain the area economy during the Great Depression, and many oil and gas companies established headquarters in Midland. Not until the 1940s, though, did Midland County begin seeing . . . — — Map (db m86534) HM
Organized on August 22, 1902, in Odessa as Odessa National Bank, this institution began with an initial capital of $25, 000. Less than one year later the bank's shareholders voted to relocate to Midland and the institution became Midland National . . . — — Map (db m86492) HM
Manufacturer: National Supply Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Date of Manufacturer: Approximately 1910-12
Rated Depth: 2,500 feet
National advertised this as “The Rig that Displaced The Old Standard (wooden) Derrick.” These . . . — — Map (db m86692) HM
First newspaper published in Midland County. Printed in 1885 in frame building once on this site. Copies were hand-set and hand-printed at rate of 5 per hour on old-style press. County court proceedings were printed at 75˘ per square inch. J. C. . . . — — Map (db m86495) HM
First National Bank of Midland. Organized June 16, 1890. First officers were A. W. Hilliard, president; W.H. Cowden, vice president; and W. E. Connell, cashier.
Its financial stability has saved its customers from ruin in the face of drouth or . . . — — Map (db m86498) HM
Old Sloan Field, built 1931, in 1942 became Midland Army Flying School, for bombardier cadets. At one time it was called largest bombardier training center in the world. One of over 25 World War II airfields in Texas, its cadets flew 861,510 hours . . . — — Map (db m140218) HM
Manufactured by: Star Drilling Machine Company, Akron, Ohio
Date manufactured: about 1930
Maximum depth: 5,000 feet
Weight: 22,000 pounds
This spudder, used in Breckenridge, Texas, area by Guy Ewing, has double walking beams. Heavy . . . — — Map (db m86696) HM
The growing west Texas petroleum industry found itself destined to play a significant role during World War II. By the late 1930s an intrastate pipeline system moved crude oil east to refineries and shipping points. In 1940, Texas produced almost . . . — — Map (db m86698) HM
There was great variety in the oil fields (the “oil patch”, if you will) of the 1920's and 1930's. Steam, gas, and electric powered drilling rigs, spudders and pulling machines, bandwheel pump units, and much more contributed to the . . . — — Map (db m86690) HM
Attracted by Midland's growing economy and the rapid development of the area's petroleum industry, T.S. Hogan announced plans for the construction of this facility in 1927. An oilman and former Montana senator, Hogan saw the need for a multi-purpose . . . — — Map (db m86493) HM
A member, Company B, Frontier Battalion of Texas Rangers. Killed near here while trailing Comanche Indian raiding party on July 1, 1879. He was buried on the spot where he fell.
A native of Virginia, member of one of its first families, he . . . — — Map (db m86395) HM
Manufacturer: Wichtex Machinery Co. Wichita Falls, Texas
Date of Use: Unknown, probably late 1920's to 1950's
Maximum Depth: 4,000 ft.
Spudders were developed in the 1920's as easily moved and set up cable tool drilling machines. Modern . . . — — Map (db m86691) HM
Manufacturer: The Wichtex Machinery Co. Wichita Falls, Texas
Date of Use: Unknown, probably late 1920's to early 1950's
Maximum Depth: Probably to 5,000 ft.
Note the large locomotive type boiler and single cylinder Acme steam engine, rated . . . — — Map (db m86697) HM
