Historical Markers and War Memorials in Ypsilanti, Michigan
Ann Arbor is the county seat for Washtenaw County
Ypsilanti is in Washtenaw County
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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
This lovely building has been many homes.
It was built in the Italianate style in 1860, as our nation's Civil War approached, for the family of bank president Asa Dow. It continued as a home for families until 1922. As apartments, it . . . — — Map (db m96994) 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
In the 1840s and 1850s, the community that grew up around the depot was known by the old-timers as the "East Side." A rivalry over business development in Ypsilanti between East side and the West side, the dividing line being the Huron River, was . . . — — Map (db m102374) 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
Along the road, a welcoming tradition.
The road was once called the Sauk Trail, the Military Chicago Road, Congress Road, and, eventually, Michigan Avenue. For travel by foot, horse, stagecoach, truck, or automobile, it has endured as a . . . — — Map (db m98488) 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
The building has stories to tell
It can tell about first being built as an electric plant before being converted to manufacturing in 1905. There are memories of 1916 when it became the first Dodge dealership outside Detroit, later becoming a . . . — — Map (db m94320) HM
Grand Army of the Republic
Dedicated by
Carpenter's Woman's Relief Corps No. 65
Carpenter's Camp No. 180 Sons of Union Veterans
Martha Beach Tent No. 5 Daughters of Union Veterans
Ypsilanti, Mich. 1924 — — Map (db m165342) WM
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 early automotive industry came to Ypsilanti
just after World War I. In 1919, Apex Motor Corporation built a small factory on River Street just south of Michigan Avenue to manufacture various "Ace" vehicles. But by 1925 three . . . — — Map (db m98724) HM
The Michigan Central Railroad (MCRR) came to Ypsilanti in 1838, transforming the farming community into a transportation center. This Italianate structure, built in 1878, increased the freight-handling capacity of the MCRR's Ypsilanti complex. Goods . . . — — Map (db m98954) HM
The railroad came to Ypsilanti in 1838. The inaugural ride was truly a distinguished party that included the 19 year old "Boy Governor," Stevens T. Mason and John D. Pierce, the first State Superintendent of Education. Their arrival on a cold . . . — — Map (db m103371) HM
The triangular plot of land along River Street was originally called "Cass Plat" in honor of Governor Lewis Cass. It later became a children's playground.
The Ypsilanti Depot Gardens were the pride of the Central Railroad Line. Mr. John . . . — — Map (db m103347) HM
Michigan's first interurban, the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, began operating in 1890. Pulled by a steam engine, the cars went west on Packard Road to the Ann Arbor city limits. Because of the low fares (10 cents one way) and frequent service (cars . . . — — Map (db m90632) HM
Henry Ford wasn't the first to harness the flowing Huron River.
In the 1880s, dams built along the river through Ypsilanti provided waterpower to mills processing paper, wool, lumber, and grain. In 1931, Ford bought property along the river . . . — — Map (db m98723) HM
In 1842 this site became Ypsilanti's second cemetery, and at one time approximately 250 people were buried here. However, when Highland Cemetery opened in 1864, the use of this site began to decline. Inspired by a nationwide parks movement, in 1891 . . . — — Map (db m101206) HM
This boulder marks the site of the house where Reverend John D. Pierce, founder of the public school system in Michigan, lived from 1867 to 1880. — — Map (db m96266) 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
It's hard to count all the brands of automobiles
that were sold on the south side of Michigan Avenue. Right here, between the Huron River Bridge and Park Street, 17 auto dealers sold 31 different brands of cars and trucks during the 1900s. . . . — — Map (db m98722) HM
The Barracks
When the Civil War began in 1861, this corner site housed a commercial building called the Norris Block. Its location across the street from the railroad station made it an ideal place for short-term lodging for enlistees . . . — — Map (db m101216) 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 building, originally occupied by the Ypsilanti Electric Company in 1896, became a Dodge automobile dealership in 1917. Joseph H. Thompson was one of the first Dodge dealers in Michigan. In 1933 Hudson Sales and Services opened its doors, later . . . — — Map (db m94400) HM
Each day, many passenger trains stopped in Depot Town. Many hotels were built to accommodate the number of travelers stopping in the area. The building, known then as the Carr Hotel was built in the 1870s. It later became The Neat House, Lewis . . . — — Map (db m103293) HM
Among the many contributions to the Industrial Revolution few are more important than the lubricating cup, invented by Elijah McCoy. He was born in Canada, educated in Scotland and made Ypsilanti his home. As a fireman on the Michigan Central . . . — — Map (db m103321) HM
This building's history is one of the most fascinating in Depot Town. It was built with bricks brought from Mark Norris' Western Hotel which was previously destroyed by fire. The Thompson Building opened in 1861 just as the first shots of the Civil . . . — — Map (db m102411) 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
It was America's "first completely new car in fifty years"
and the vision in 1945 of Preston Tucker, who lived at 110 North Park Street in Ypsilanti. He was the general manager of his family's Ypsilanti Machine & Tool Company at 103 North . . . — — Map (db m98420) HM
Side 1
Located at the juncture of old Indian trails and the Huron River, this area was the camping and burying ground for several Indian tribes. In 1809 Gabriel Godfroy established an Indian trading post on the west bank of the Huron . . . — — Map (db m90681) 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
Side 1
The Ypsilanti Water Tower was designed by William R. Coats and constructed as part of an elaborate city waterworks project that began in 1889. Located on the highest point in Ypsilanti, the tower was completed in 1890. It is 147 . . . — — Map (db m95370) HM
In 1827, a sawmill was built on the Huron River just south of Forest Avenue. Later a grist mill was built on the site and finally in 1839, the Eagle Flouring Mill was constructed there. It burned in 1856.
In the early 1860s, the Ypsilanti . . . — — Map (db m102392) HM
