Ahead lies Lansing, capital of Michigan. In 1835, when the state was organized, Detroit was the capital, as it had been when Michigan was a territory. The capital, after much debate, was moved to its present, more centally located site in 1847. The . . . — — Map (db m94905) HM
Provided by the children of Victor J. and Rosella C. Huhn, in loving memory of their parents who were longtime Grand Ledge residents.
The Huhn family started their journey in the United States much the same as a majority of immigrants by . . . — — Map (db m125647) HM
Constructed in 1884 as a roller skating rink, this building was purchased by Peter Blake and opened as Blake's Opera House in 1886. Here, audiences enjoyed talent shows, vaudeville, silent movies and athletic contests. Between 1928 and 1984, the . . . — — Map (db m122824) HM
With over 40,000 bricks produced a day there were bound to be a few bad bricks. As you walk deeper into the wooded trails look closely at what appears to be hills of trees and vegetation. LOOK AGAIN - these hills are the remains of . . . — — Map (db m122706) HM
Migrant Indian tribes led by the famous Chief Okemos called this area "Big Rocks." They came here in early spring to tap the sugar maples. Later, the beauty of the ledges and woods attracted the Grand Ledge Spiritualist Camp Association which, in . . . — — Map (db m122708) HM
Governor Frank D. Fitzgerald Home
Here lived Frank D. Fitzgerald who served his first term as governor 1935-36. His second term, starting in January 1939, was cut short by his death in this house in March of that year. Born in Grand Ledge . . . — — Map (db m122729) HM
Look to your left and up to see the water tank built in 1909. There, an enterprising photographer took this photograph, perhaps the first aerial view of Grand Ledge. He captured a section of the Grand River where the north and south sides were . . . — — Map (db m125656) HM
This plaque is issued by the
Historical Society of Michigan
in recognition of
Preston's Grocery -
Preston's Bar
founded in 1914
for more than 100 years of
continuous operation in service
to the people of Michigan
and for . . . — — Map (db m125591) HM
The large pieces of shale rock that were dynamited from the quarry were carried up to the top of this hill by mining carts and dumped into the crusher which pulverized these 400 pound slabs into a dusty chalk which was sent down to the Pug Mill room . . . — — Map (db m122657) HM
Graced by the natural beauty of these soaring sandstone ledges, Grand Ledge was once famous for its Seven Islands Resort, a recreation area centered on this island from 1870 to 1910. At the turn of the century the ledges made this city one of the . . . — — Map (db m182468) HM
This plaque is issued by the
Historical Society of Michigan
in recognition of
Shane
Jewelry Company
founded in 1883
for more than 100 years of
continuous operation in service
to the people of Michigan
and for contributing to . . . — — Map (db m122826) HM
The structure in front of you was referred to by many of the workers as the old boiler room, being the original boiler room for the factory. Through changes in ownership and updating of equipment this building was turned into a storehouse once . . . — — Map (db m122652) HM
Although currently only a partial wall of this 300 foot kiln remains, this brick factory has withstood over a century of brick production through five separate owners, a fire which spread throughout the plant in 1927, the depression era of the . . . — — Map (db m122705) HM
Looking down hill from this area you may notice a pond. Once two types of shale were processed from this quarry and used for brick making. It was said that at one time this quarry was over 60 feet deep and that during the last years of operations . . . — — Map (db m122653) HM
Looking at this wooded park it is hard to imagine that from 1914 to 1947 this area was cleared of trees and was the home of up to 11 buildings which made up a brick factory. The longest of which was the kiln reaching some 300 feet from this point . . . — — Map (db m122660) HM
This building, known as the New Boiler room, was attached to a unit known as the gas producers. This gas was produced from coal. Producer gas was different from illuminating gases because no by-products such as smoke or coal tar were released. . . . — — Map (db m122707) HM
On this site in 1839, residents of Delta Township built their first school. A one-room woodframe structure, it could seat sixty-five. In 1940 the building was remodeled and a second classroom was added. Although the township district was annexed to . . . — — Map (db m182785) HM
In 1891, Julian Scott Mudge constructed what is believed to be the first roller coaster in Michigan, on the
second island(now Island Park) of the Seven Islands Resort. The resort featured a hotel on the second
island, a casino on the third island, . . . — — Map (db m239639) HM