On West Main Street, 0.1 miles east of Isabella Street (State Route 20), on the right when traveling east.
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
On Currie Parkway at West Main Street, on the right when traveling west on Currie Parkway.
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
On Smith Street north of West Saginaw Road, on the right when traveling north.
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
On Smith Street north of West Saginaw Road, on the right when traveling north.
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
On Smith Street north of West Saginaw Road, on the right when traveling north.
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
On West Center Street at Oak Street, on the right when traveling east on West Center Street.
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
Near Smith Street north of West Saginaw Road, on the right when traveling south.
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
Near Smith Street north of West Saginaw Road, on the right when traveling north.
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
On Smith Street, on the left when traveling south.
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
On Smith Street, on the left when traveling south.
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
On Pere Marquette Rail Trail east of Maple Street. Reported damaged.
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
On Smith Street north of West Saginaw Road, on the left when traveling south.
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
On Smith Street north of West Saginaw Road, on the right when traveling north.
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
On Smith Street north of West Saginaw Road, on the right when traveling north.
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
