Oak Grove was established in 1860 with the help of women in the community whose efforts made improvements on the cemetery grounds. The first twenty years saw so few burials here that the city was credited with healthfulness.
The names of many . . . — — Map (db m176522) HM
North Territorial Road was established by the Michigan Territory to direct settlers to the development of the West.
In 1833, John Glenn and his family arrived from New York State and
followed the Johnny Appleseed tradition of developing orchards. . . . — — Map (db m210815) HM
Once the site of a livery, a blacksmith shop, dairy bars and a garage
Park Street was created when Elisha Congdon's second land addition to the village was added in 1861. If was the first of three streets, south of the original village . . . — — Map (db m180112) HM
The Village of Chelsea celebrated its 150th birthday. On this site July 4th, 1984, a time capsule was buried below this marker, not to be opened until July 4th, 2034. — — Map (db m228204) HM
Fronting both Middle and Main streets, this fine example of Commercial Victorian architecture was constructed in 1882 to replace a wood framed structure destroyed by fire. It features narrow second story windows, cast iron columns with iron . . . — — Map (db m207819) HM
A livery first stood on this site in 1863. In 1905, John Wagner, proprietor of Chelsea House Hotel, replaced the wooden livery with a molded cement
block structure that housed both horses and carriages. B.J. Conlan purchased the livery six years . . . — — Map (db m226644) HM
The Welfare Building was constructed in 1906 as a recreation facility for the workers of the Glazier Stove Company. It featured a swimming pool, a billiard hall, a basketball court, a theatre and a reading room. Chelsea native Frank P. Glazier, who . . . — — Map (db m54138) HM
The legacy of Vogel's & Foster's began 130 years ago with the successful entrepreneurship of Harmon S. Holmes. He arrived in Chelsea in 1872 at age 17 to work for and eventually partner with Thomas Wilkinson in his dry goods store. Throughout his . . . — — Map (db m207917) HM
In 1932 Vogel's and Foster's celebrated their 60th anniversary. At this time interior and exterior renovations were completed. An alley window opening on the north side of the building was replaced with solid brick. The following year, Ed Vogel . . . — — Map (db m208071) HM
Pioneer German families founded Zion Lutheran Church in 1865 as the western portion of Saint Thomas Lutheran parish. The congregation adopted its first constitution and dedicated this substantial Neo-Gothic building in 1867. The church was enlarged . . . — — Map (db m169889) HM
The steep hills or "knobs" of Park Lyndon were created when the last glacial ice age disappeared some 12,000 years ago. As water flowed off the ice, it carried and then dropped huge amounts of sand and gravel. These soil ingredients, along with . . . — — Map (db m243839)
For centuries, Native Americans hunted and fished in the area known today as Lyndon Township. The numerous lakes and ponds provided an abundance of food for its earliest inhabitants. European settlers began to arrive in 1833, nearly a decade after . . . — — Map (db m243846) HM
Kettles
As you look at the lake in front of you, try to imagine it filled with an enormous block of ice one quarter mile in height! The heavy weight of the ice that once sat right here, along with the rock, sand and gravel that were . . . — — Map (db m243837)
The rich plant diversity of Park Lyndon is a result of geological features created by glacial activity. Soil types and soil moisture vary a great deal, with the "knobs" consisting of dry, sandy or gravelly soils, and many of the kettles existing . . . — — Map (db m243850) HM
Did you know that all of Michigan was completely covered with ice 20,000 years ago? The glacial ice in our region was as much as one mile thick! As its enormous weight scraped across the ground, the glacier easily collected boulders, stone, . . . — — Map (db m243843) HM
Given by Senator
Royal Samuel Copeland
to the Village of
Dexter Michigan
1928
Modeled from
New England
Libraries
Originally
the first post office — — Map (db m142357) HM
Erected by the citizens of Dexter and vicinity, in memory of the heroes who fought and the martyrs who died that the republic might live.
Dedicated May 30, 1898
1861-1865 — — Map (db m53429) HM
Dexter Depot
The Michigan Central Railroad reached Dexter from Detroit on July 4, 1841, just after Dexter's first depot was completed. Frederick H. Spier of Detroit designed the present depot, which was completed in record time. Work began on . . . — — Map (db m54861) HM
Forest Lawn Cemetery was part of a parcel owned by Samuel Dexter, who came to Michigan in 1824 from New York State. He purchased 926 acres of land that was incorporated as the village of Dexter. For years, Dexter offered cemetery plots free to . . . — — Map (db m171679) HM
Frederick Pelham was born on November 7, 1864. He attended school in Detroit. In 1887, he became the first African American to receive an Engineering Degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and was hired as a civil engineer for the . . . — — Map (db m142463) HM
The dam was originally built by Judge Samuel Dexter in 1824. Mill Creek got its name because the dam provided hydropower for the sawmills and gristmills that supplied much of the timber and flour for the growing community within the village and . . . — — Map (db m142459) HM
This hamlet developed around the mills which were located here to utilize the great water power of the Huron River. Cornelius Osterhout built a sawmill here about 1827, followed in 1846 by a gristmill in which three men produced six thousand barrels . . . — — Map (db m142354) HM
The Catholic church in this village dates back to 1840 with Fathers Cullen, Hennesy and Pulsers serving the predominantly Irish parishioners for nearly thirty years. The present brick edifice, completed in 1874, is an example of simple Gothic style. . . . — — Map (db m54893) HM
In 1976, Webster Township Hall, built in 1871, was the sixth oldest township hall in continuous use in the state. The structure, which replaced a building at Scully and North Territorial roads, was designed by Isaac Terry. Its cost of $1,758.17 . . . — — Map (db m169884) HM
In 1834 construction began on Webster Church, the oldest church building in continuous use in Washtenaw County. Built on land donated by Hannah Williams Kingsley, it was completed in 1835 after Moses Kingsley secured donations from Daniel Webster . . . — — Map (db m60515) HM
This five-circuit classical labyrinth
was designed and built by Girl
Scout Troop 220 in October 2007.
History
Labyrinths are found in many
cultures dating back as much as
3,500 years. Unlike a maze, the
tabyrinth is unicursal, having . . . — — Map (db m226016) HM
(side 1)
The Delhi Bridge was one of many Pratt through truss iron bridges built to order by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio, between 1876 and 1899 to span the Huron River. It was listed in the National Register of Historic . . . — — Map (db m60228) HM
Constructed in 1888, the Dixboro School was part of Superior
Township School District No. 2. It stands on land set aside in
the original village plat of 1826 as “a public square to be used
for construction of a school and church.” The school . . . — — Map (db m243026) HM
In 1840 the Reverend Frederich Schmid of Ann Arbor organized the Evangelical German Bethel Congregation in Freedom Township. Schmid, a missionary pastor originally from Basil, Switzerland, frequently traveled to the township and held services in . . . — — Map (db m55387) HM
In 1877 local masons built this shop in eight days. Its first owner, William F. Neebling, built wagons and followed the blacksmith trade until 1909, when he sold the business to Theodore Morschheuser. John F. Schneider apprenticed to Morschheuser in . . . — — Map (db m169280) HM
Bridgewater Township was named by George Howe after his home in Oneida County, New York. This site has been the center of community activities
since founding of the township in 1832. The first town hall was built here in 1856. It was later razed . . . — — Map (db m169961) HM
Bridgewater Township was set off from Hixon Township in 1832. The remainder became Manchester Township in 1837. By 1850 there were two settlements, River Raisin and Bridgewater. Each had a railroad station and a post office. The River Raisin . . . — — Map (db m169890) HM
Overview
The central business district of Manchester is historically referred to as "Exchange Place", a term deriving from the 1837 Second Plat of Manchester, and applied to what is now labelled "Main Street". Stephen . . . — — Map (db m205773) HM
• 1826 Land grant from U.S. government to John Gilbert.
• 1832 Emanuel Case and Harry Gilbert contracted to build the first mill.
• 1853 May 1st. — The mill was destroyed by fire.
• 1875 The mill dam was flooded out and then re-built.
• . . . — — Map (db m206406) HM
History of the Land and Park
The land comprising Kirk Park lies between Adrian and Clinton Streets, adjacent to Territorial Street on the south and close to Duncan Street on the north. From the earliest days of Manchester's . . . — — Map (db m208623) HM
This historical sign focuses on the corner piece of land bounded by the River Raisin Mill Pond on the west, Main Street on the south, Ann Arbor Street (M-52) on the east, and the former railroad rail bed on the north, now a part of the Manchester . . . — — Map (db m208423) HM
Manchester Township Library
In 1838, one year after Michigan attained statehood, Manchester Township established its library, one of the first township libraries in Michigan. During the early years the township clerk maintained the collection. . . . — — Map (db m170062) HM
What is This?
Manchester's original cemetery is located north of this sign, on the gradual hill north and east of the Washington Street and condominium driveway intersection. This cemetery has been referred to as "the old . . . — — Map (db m208579) HM
This historical plaque is located on the former site of the Detroit, Hillsdale and Indiana Railroad depot, built in 1870 when Manchester's second railroad was constructed. Railroads were essential to commerce and growth in 19th century towns, and . . . — — Map (db m209791) HM
John Gilbert's Founding VisionJohn Gilbert, the founder of the Village of Manchester, was born in Lenox Massachusetts in 1774, and grew up with the presence of a central public square in his town, where . . . — — Map (db m205902) HM
Centuries ago, Indian trails crossed the landscape of Washtenaw County. These paths connected Indian villages to fertile hunting and fishing grounds throughout Michigan. When settlers arrived in the County during the 19th century, these same . . . — — Map (db m208349) HM
The first Catholic church in the Manchester area was built by German settlers in Freedom Township in 1839 and dedicated to Saint Francis de Borgia. In 1863, Father Edward Van Lauwe was appointed pastor of Saint Dominic in Clinton, and Manchester was . . . — — Map (db m169892) HM
The Reverend Edward Weiss, a Washtenaw County circuit rider, organized an Evangelical class of fifteen members in 1874. They met in a school located two miles east of here. Two years later, trustees Herman Gieske, Lambert Gieske and Bernhardt Kuhl, . . . — — Map (db m60220) HM
The intersection of Main and Adrian Streets is considered the "heart" of downtown Manchester, and the first commercial buildings were constructed here in 1832-1833.
Why is Manchester Located . . . — — Map (db m206190) HM
Many of Manchester's early settlers came from Wuerttemberg, Germany. Since there was no Evangelical church in Manchester, the immigrants worshipped at Bethel Church in Freedom Township. In 1862 the reverend J. G. Hildner established an Evangelical . . . — — Map (db m169893) HM
This corner of Main Street (formerly Exchange Place) and Clinton Street served as the original civic center for the Village of Manchester. From the Manchester Hotel situated on the northeast corner, to Green's Hotel on the southwest corner, and . . . — — Map (db m206148) HM
To Those of
Manchester and Community
Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice
For God and Country
In The World Wars
In Memoriam
World War I
Emil Jacob
World War II
Wayne R. Alber Edward A. Brazer
Arthur C Frey Karl M. Rague
Richard C . . . — — Map (db m170075) WM
Our village began with land surveys ordered by the Federal Government beginning in 1815, and the sale of land parcels beginning in 1820. John Mudget Mack of Pontiac was hired to survey several townships in western Washtenaw . . . — — Map (db m205615) HM
Village of Manchester Sesquicentennial
August 2017
The Village of Manchester Sesquicentennial Celebration was organized by the Village of Manchester, the Manchester Area Historical Society and the Manchester Area Chamber of . . . — — Map (db m205692) HM
In loving tribute to the founding members of Immanuel United Evangelical Church 1862 Henry Aichele • George Briegel • Henry Haeschle • John Hartbeck • Christ Jaudes • Michael Jung • Fred Kurfess • Caspar Raby • Matthias Schaible • Fred Schill • . . . — — Map (db m228264) HM
Dedicated to all men and women of the Manchester area who have served in the armed forces of our country, and especially for those who paid the supreme sacrifice. For God and country — — Map (db m228203) WM
Native Americans in Washtenaw. Long before Europeans set foot in Michigan, Native Americans made their homes here. When the French arrived in the late 1600s a number of Native American tribes lived in lower Michigan, including the Miami, . . . — — Map (db m229550) HM
The Braman Hotel was established here in about 1844. It was a three-story structure, shown on maps at the time as a "tavern." This road, originally an Indian trail, connected Monroe to Saline and Jackson. Weary travelers stepped out of their . . . — — Map (db m106196) HM
Lovatus Chapman Allen moved to the Milan area from Vermont in 1849. "L.C." as he was known, was born in Vermont in 1816. L. C.'s older brother, Harmon Allen, came to Michigan many years earlier and was one of the founders of Milan in 1831. L. . . . — — Map (db m106197) HM
The Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church was founded by African-Americans in 1949. The first service was held on Ash Street in the home of Deacon Eli Longstreet. The first pastor was Rev. Eddie C. Wilson. The congregation met at various locations until . . . — — Map (db m106199) HM
This building is named in honor of Millard
F. Phillips. In 1915, Millard P. Phillips
opened a jewelry store in this building. It
was later operated by his son, Millard F.
Phillips, until his retirement in 1992.
Millard F. Phillips was Milan's . . . — — Map (db m218544) HM
The Reverend Charles Glenn organized the first Methodist class here in 1836, and for the next ten years the group met in the home of his brother, John. In 1846 the brothers presented the congregation with a building which served as both church and . . . — — Map (db m211045) HM
John W. and Alice Conant of New York purchased land near Denton in 1833, and built this house soon after. During World War II, when the original site was condemned to make way for the Willow Run Bomber Plant, the family moved the house to its . . . — — Map (db m101825) HM
Fred Rider was the grandson of Captain Ira Rider, an early settler (1831) and first Postmaster in the township (1832). An early road map of Washtenaw County (1839) shows only one location in the Township, "Riders".
Fred Rider, an excellent . . . — — Map (db m170578) HM
Cook Family Cemetery
On May 22, 1831, the Presbyterian Church in Newark, New York, formally dismissed twelve of its members who where moving to Michigan and organized them into a new church. The new congregation became the Saline . . . — — Map (db m169891) HM
This memorial honors all American veterans who, although separated by generations, shared a common, undeniable goal-to valiantly protect our country's freedoms. The memories of these American veterans will continue to live on whenever and wherever . . . — — Map (db m236177) WM
This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior on Oct. 10, 1985 — — Map (db m236511) HM
In 1831, Presbyterian families from Newark, New York, traveled by boat through the Erie Canal to Detroit. Settling in the Saline area, they held their first religious service on July 18, 1831. Thereafter, services were held in schoolhouses, . . . — — Map (db m101650) HM
Salt Springs
The City of Saline took its name from the natural feature of salt springs in this area. During the Paleozoic Era, between 600 and 230 million years ago, Michigan's Lower Peninsula was covered by sea water. When the sea receded, it . . . — — Map (db m169528) HM
"The land abounds with a most fertile and healthy description and the climate is particularly adapted to our eastern constitution. The tide of immigration has just begun..." stated Saline founder, Orange Risdon in an advertisement in the Detroit . . . — — Map (db m236176) HM
William Davenport built a three story brick Italianate structure on this site in 1863. It housed a general store on the first level and rented space to local organizations on the upper levels. The store provided the only safe in town. Customers . . . — — Map (db m236173) HM
This bell was originally installed in a cupola atop the Wallace Block in 1887. This brick building on the east side of South Ann Arbor Street housed the city hall, opera house, and fire department. The bell was rung to alert the community in case of . . . — — Map (db m236171) HM
The joining together of many stores produced Saline's first major business block. The all wood framed buildings served the community from c 1830 to 1881 when a fire destroyed the entire block. Rebuilt of brick in the Italianate Style it prospered . . . — — Map (db m236172) HM
This handsome two-and-a-half story residence, constructed in 1875, was the home of William H. Davenport (1826-1909), prominent Saline citizen. In 1851, Davenport entered into a partnership with H.J. Miller in a general store. He bought out Miller's . . . — — Map (db m101647) HM
Early Canoeists
When you look at the River Raisin, you are seeing what remains of an ancient highway. Thousands of years before European settlement, Native Americans were exploring Michigan's waterways in birch-bark and dugout canoes. . . . — — Map (db m229126) HM
How does hydro-power work?
Hydropower is the process of using the energy of falling water to do work, either to move machinery or generate electricity. Power is transferred when moving water spins a water wheel or turbine.
The turbine . . . — — Map (db m229121) HM
What is a watershed? A watershed is the land area that drains to a particular stream, river or lake. Water flows downhill from high points such as hills and collects in low points. Streams flow at low elevations in the watershed. 1st . . . — — Map (db m229123) HM
Welcome to Sharon Mills County Park, a historic landmark on the River Raisin. We hope you will enjoy your visit to this local heritage site. Sharon Mills County Park offers something for both the history buff and nature lover. Over 170 acres . . . — — Map (db m229116) HM
For 100 years on this site the people of Ypsilanti have maintained free public education, 1848—1948.
Erected by the National Honor Society, 1949: Jack Bush • William Hawes • Dorothy Houck • Karlin Johnson • Betty Mead • Marlene Moffett • Lowell . . . — — Map (db m229626) HM
This statue of Abraham Lincoln was dedicated
on May 4, 1938. This 13 foot limestone rendering
of our 16th President is the creation of artist,
Samuel Cashwan. The project was funded by
the Federal Works Project Administration
(W.P.A.) and by . . . — — Map (db m210819) HM
Alban Cemetery was organized on June 20, 1885, at the Evangelical Friends Church. The Alban family spearheaded the establishment of the cemetery. The land was originally deeded by Lemmanuel Allen to the Gordon family for that purpose. The Alban . . . — — Map (db m171185) HM
Founded by legislative action in 1849 as the Michigan State Normal School, it was the first state teacher education school west of Albany. Its aim was to provide instruction "in the art of teaching and in all the various branches that pertain to a . . . — — Map (db m91656) HM
Canada-born Elijah McCoy (1843-1929) automated steam engine maintenance, previously done by hand, by patenting an automatic lubricator in 1872. By 1926 he had patented more than forty lubricating devices used internationally on trains and boats and . . . — — Map (db m173420) HM
Something had to be done.
Constructed in 1898 and in service for over 75 years, this firehouse combined two separate volunteer fire companies into one centalized fire station. A paid department and a dedicated building represented a major . . . — — Map (db m98474) HM
When the First Methodist Episcopal Church opened in June 1892, the Ypsilantian called it "an ornament to the city." The church typifies Akron Plan churches, popular among late nineteenth century Protestants. The Akron architectural firm of . . . — — Map (db m90905) HM
Originally built in 1857 with a single, central spire, the First Presbyterian Church was greatly enlarged and rededicated in 1899. Detroit architect Julius Hess redesigned the church, using the original sanctuary walls, and added a columned entrance . . . — — Map (db m90667) HM
Highland is typical of the "rural tradition" cemetery design which emphasizes its natural setting. This design originated in France and was first seen in Greenwood Cemetery in New York. Highland Cemetery, as well as Forest Hill in Ann Arbor, was . . . — — Map (db m174343) HM
This house, built prior to 1842 by Arden Ballard, has been recognized by the Historic American Building Survey as a model of Greek Revival architecture. The house was purchased by the Ladies' Literary Club in 1913. — — Map (db m90645) HM
This School District, first named "Agricultural Rural
Training School No. 1 of Ypsilanti and Augusta Townships"
was renamed Lincoln Consolidated School, because the
school board felt "It was the fulfillment of the ideals for
which Abraham . . . — — Map (db m210816) HM
The first multi-township school in Michigan
and the first rural consolidated school in the
United States affiliated with the teacher
training college.
This exemplary rural consolidated school
was founded under the leadership of
Dr. M.S. . . . — — Map (db m210818) HM
Manufacturing here spanned most of the 20th Century,
reflecting the changing economy in Ypsilanti and in America. In 1907 the Ypsilanti Hay Press Company first built a factory here by the Huron River and the railroad tracks to make . . . — — Map (db m98955) HM
The parish of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ypsilanti was founded by Father Thomas Cullen in 1844. The parish built a small wooden Catholic Church on the corner of Cross and Hamilton Streets. In 1858 a brick church replaced the wooden . . . — — Map (db m174345) HM
You can get hungry building B-24 bombers.
The Bomber Restaurant was first given its name in 1942 by Florence Bladwin [sic] Averill. The massive Ford B-24 bomber plant had just opened at nearby Willow Run Airport to supply aircraft . . . — — Map (db m98698) HM
The Town Hall School built on the Geddes farm, carries with it a rich family and educational tradition. The first Geddes came to this area in 1824 and the family possesses the 1827 deed to the farm signed by President John Quincy Adams. In 1852, . . . — — Map (db m95367) HM
[Marker Front]:
Willow Run (1941-1953)
After entering World War II in 1941, America desperately needed military equipment and supplies. The Ford Motor Company had begun building this factory in April 1941. Outstanding industrial . . . — — Map (db m14296) HM
This Statue
was presented by
Mary-Ann Starkweather
1861-1865
Erected by the Women's
Relief Corps of Ypsilanti
in memory of the men who in
the War of the Great Rebellion
fought to uphold their
country's flag . . . — — Map (db m14142) HM
To commemorate students, teachers and alumni of the Ypsilanti High School who served their country in The World War, 1914–1918. — — Map (db m229617) WM
Plaque 1:
In honor of
our brave men
of the 107th Field Signal Battalion U. S. A.
which brigaded with the
32nd Division
rendered distinguished service at
Chateau Thierry, Soissons, Fismes,
Juvigny, and in the Argonne
and in memory . . . — — Map (db m160300) WM
