To honor all the people who lost their lives,
and praise the heroes who died trying to save others.
To commemorate the courage of an entire nation,
and pay tribute to its strength in persevering.
To remember the attacks on the United . . . — — Map (db m206982) WM
In the 1830s-50s, a strong antislavery presence grew in Jackson. Opponents of slavery advocated for their cause with prominent speakers and public meetings. The courthouse, located in the southwest corner of what became the intersection of . . . — — Map (db m196374) HM
Austin Blair began his political career in Eaton Rapids, where he was elected Eaton County clerk in 1842. As a member of the Michigan House of Representatives (1846-1849), he served in the Judiciary Committee and was a leading supporter or the 1846 . . . — — Map (db m54275) HM
Center of Conflict and Conviction
Bucky Harris Park was a busting business district in the center of town known as Jacksonburg Square in the 1800s. It featured the old county courthouse, three commercial blocks, and the first newspaper . . . — — Map (db m206847) HM
During the the American Civil War (1861-1865) one of Michigan's military headquarters was In Jackson. Camp Blair was planned 1863 as a draft rendezvous point and as a center for convalescing troops. Named for incumbent governor Austin Blair, a . . . — — Map (db m210749) HM
Camp Blair was named after Gov. Austin Blair, who served as "Michigan's Civil War Governor" from 1861-65. Blair, of Jackson, visited the camp several times. He is buried in Mt. Evergreen Cemetery,Jackson.
Camp of Many Purposes
Camp . . . — — Map (db m210745) HM
Rendezvous Point for the 20th and 26th Regiments
Camp Jackson was a training ground for Civil War recruits in the 20th and 26th regiments of the Michigan Volunteer Infantry. The camp was located on land owned by Jeremiah Marvin, a Blackman . . . — — Map (db m197268) HM
Michigan Centennial Business
This plaque is issued by the
Historical Society of Michigan
in recognition of
City Bank and
Trust Company, N.A.
Founded in 1848
For more than 100 years of
Continuous Operation in service
To the . . . — — Map (db m211405) HM
19th-20th Century Industrial/Commercial Complex
The historic Collins Manufacturing/Jackson Automobile Co. Complex is an important physical reminder of Jackson's industrial and commercial development and an excellent representation of . . . — — Map (db m210726) HM
This building was constructed
by the city of Jackson in the early
1920s, and was originally used for
park utility purposes including
the housing of zoo animals.
The complex was renovated over
time by the Museum to include
a doctor's office, . . . — — Map (db m211801) HM
Underground Railroad Hub
The DeLand family's property was located on the northeast corner of Mechanic and Franklin streets from 1851 until 1878. Three family members participated in the Underground Railroad: William DeLand offered his . . . — — Map (db m210762) HM
The Dibble schoolhouse
was built in 1885 and was
first located at the corner of
Kibby and Robinson Roads.
This one-room schoolhouse
was donated to the Museum
by the Union School District
of Jackson and moved to its
current site in 1968. — — Map (db m211733) HM
In 1888, the above engineering
building (today at 124 W. Louis
Glick Highway) was added to the
Eldred Mill complex immediately
west of the mill. In later Jackson
history, the building became
known as Howard's Feedstore
Warehouse. Today, . . . — — Map (db m212196) HM
In 1855 Abraham Wing purchased this farm for his widowed daughter, Mary. Within a year she married Dwight Merriman, and under their guidance, Hillside became a model farm, with over 600 acres of orchards and cultivated fields. In 1881 their first . . . — — Map (db m63843) HM
This 530 acre tract and a generous endowment, the gift of Ella Wing Merriman Sharp to her native City of Jackson 1914
"Its beauty a fitting memorial to a useful life" — — Map (db m212213) HM
Elnora Moorman was appointed in May of 1969 and then elected in 1971 as the City of Jackson's first African-American and female City Commissioner. She later served as Vice-Mayor and also served the City of Jackson Housing Commission and Jackson . . . — — Map (db m211979) HM
In 1834 thirteen Jackson pioneers established the Barry-Jackson Baptist Church in Sandstone Township. Five years later the Reverend David Hendee and seventeen members of that church formed the First Baptist Church in Jackson. Meetings were held in . . . — — Map (db m54348) HM
This monumental Romanesque Revival church was erected in 1859 according to plans by architect Horatio N. White of Syracuse, New York. It is this congregation's third church. In 1871 the building was raised eight feet to accommodate lower-level . . . — — Map (db m54349) HM
The origins of the First United Methodist Church can be traced to 1831 when preacher Elijah Pilcher arrived in “Jacksonburgh” to serve the town's growing Methodist community. Services were held around town until a small church was . . . — — Map (db m54374) HM
This was the original site of Michigan's first state prison, approved by the legislature in 1838. A temporary wooden prison, enclosed by a fence of tamarack poles, was built on sixty acres donated for that purpose here. In 1839 the first 35 . . . — — Map (db m54645) HM
The Gazebo was originally located in the garden south of the farmhouse, where the Dibble School is now located. There was a footpath that led from the house to the gazebo, and Mrs. Sharp often had breakfast or tea there when the weather was nice. . . . — — Map (db m211735) HM
The Granary was formerly two structures connected by an open shed. The brick building served as the farm's granary, and the wood structure and open shed were used as a work area for the repair and storage of farm tools and equipment. The building . . . — — Map (db m211960) HM
The Glory Days of Hague Park
In the 1890s, Vandercook Lake property owner
Edrick Hague developed this spot as a picnic area.
Entrepreneurs later leased the acreage from
Hague with the intent of turning it into an
amusement park. In 1907, . . . — — Map (db m211590) HM
(side a)
Horace Ismon
This building was erected for Jackson dry goods merchant Horace Ismon in 1853. Ismon had begun his mercantile career in Paw Paw during the 1840s. Although established in Jackson, he continued his Paw Paw . . . — — Map (db m54647) HM
Dedicated to those
who followed in the
paths taken by
earlier patriots and
offered their lives.
in service to their
country during the
Global War
on Terror.
Because of them-
-we are free
-our nation lives
-our world is blessed . . . — — Map (db m210716) WM
Jackson County Korean
Veterans who gave
their lives to preserve
the freedom of our country
1950 - 1955
Angevine Robert H
Armbruster Herbert
Barnes Raymond C
Clickner George W
Curran Richard P
Fisher Richard L
King . . . — — Map (db m210713) WM
In honor of the women of Jackson County who have served and are now serving in the military service of the United States of America — — Map (db m209993) WM
Jackson County World
War I Veterans Who
Sacrificed Their Lives To
Preserve The Principles Of
This Country
4-6-1917
11-11-1918
George Ahl
Charles Oscar Anderson
Charles Aloysisus Andrews
Frank Asch
Lawrence Bailey . . . — — Map (db m209995) WM
Thomas Adams
Alver Anderberg
Elmer C. Anderson
Harold Appel
James J. Archambeault
Kenneth Aten
Harry M. Aukerman
Zygmunt Backus
Robert Baggs
Elwood Bailey
Malcolm Bailey
Tiffany Bailey
Arthur C. Bamm, . . . — — Map (db m209999) WM
Ira McGonagel (1808-
1892) is among those
buried in the Jackson Poor
Farm Cemetery. Ira, the
son of Scottish immigrants,
was the father of 9, a
"farmer and a "laborer"
He owned real estate in
Jackson County in the
1860s-70s, . . . — — Map (db m212193) HM
The Final Ride to Midnight
This property originally a freight depot offered a rail ride to freedom on the fastest transportation possible, but it came with a cost. Imagine hiding among the cargo knowing that if you're found you could be . . . — — Map (db m210727) HM
On March 30, 1830, a commission appointed to choose Jackson County's seat of government reported: "A territorial road, call the St. Joseph's road, was last winter laid.... Where this road crosses the Grand river... a flourishing village is . . . — — Map (db m54313) HM
A cherished public gathering space with a long, illustrious past and a bright future
Original portions of the Jackson County Fairgrounds were purchased by the Jackson County Agricultural Society (JCAS) in 1856 from the widow of Dr. Oliver . . . — — Map (db m239168) HM
This typical one-room schoolhouse was built for School District No. 2 of Summit Township in the 1880s. Named for a school board member, McCain School is the second schoolhouse erected on this site. The first was built in the early 1850s shortly . . . — — Map (db m88676) HM
The original portion of the Merriman-Sharp farmhouse was built in the 1840s. Major additions were constructed in 1857 and 1863. The Merriman-Sharp family occupied the house from 1857 to 1912. The house reflects both the Greek Revival and Italianate . . . — — Map (db m211962) HM
Charles D. Plumb
Wendell J. Jarrell
Larrie C. Allen
Billy R. Hunter
Peter S. Hawley
Daniel J. Maes
Willie Johnson Jr.
Jackie Ray
Lawrence J. Buynoski
Robert J. Jenks
John C. Bonney
Eric L. Stauff . . . — — Map (db m210715) WM
Michigan Central Railroad (MCRR) stations between Chicago and Detroit formed a freedom corridor that helped self-liberated persons escape slavery prior to the Civil War. The MCRR'S Jackson passenger station played a key role in the lives of the . . . — — Map (db m223756) HM
1940 - 1962 Fossil Fuel Generation
Shown here with upgrades, these generating plants are still producing electricity.
Weadock-Bay City Generating since 1940
Cobb-Muskegon Generating since 1948
Whiting-Monroe Generating since 1952 . . . — — Map (db m210785) HM
Mount Evergreen Cemetery. In 1843 Jackson's village council purchased land from Eunice Dygert to establish public burial grounds in the village. The grounds were officially named Mount Evergreen Cemetery in 1879. The Greenwood Wall on the . . . — — Map (db m206859) HM
Resting Place for American Heroes
Here is hallowed ground where many of the bravest and most honorable heroes from America's history have been laid to rest. Mt. Evergreen is a dedicated burial ground for soldiers from the War of 1812, the . . . — — Map (db m206860) HM
These 28 Michigan military men were part of the 1177 that lost their lives
for our country on December 7, 1941 on the Battleship USS Arizona
Frederick Purdy Amon, S1/c USN Niles
Joseph Baraga, SGT USMC Channing
Robert Emile Budd,F2/c USN . . . — — Map (db m209238) WM
Congregation dates back to 1865
The Second Baptist Congregation was founded in 1865 when George and Sarah Green opened their home on Pearl Street, Jackson, for worship services. Over the years, the congregation built a masonry house of . . . — — Map (db m211881) HM
2018
Joshua Diedrich
Plasticized Concrete
Gift of Robert and Laurie LaZebnik
Jackson native Robert (Bob) LaZebnik commissioned
this enormous shoe to celebrate Miller's Shoe Parlor, a
staple of downtown Jackson since 1913. Bob . . . — — Map (db m211731) HM
To the soldiers and sailors
of
Jackson County
who gave their services and many their lives
to their country in the war for the Union
1861-1865
Erected as a tribute of love and admiration
by one of their companions-in-arms
May 30, . . . — — Map (db m89603) WM
Constructed in 1857, St. John's is the oldest Catholic Church in Jackson and was the only church of this denomination in this city until 1901. Bishop Peter Paul Lefevre laid the cornerstone for this structure in 1856. St. John's began as a mission . . . — — Map (db m55417) HM
In 1880 Bishop Casper Henry Borgess of the Detroit Diocese approved the establishment of a second Catholic parish in the city of Jackson. The cornerstone ceremony for the parish church was held July 4, 1881. The present limestone Romanesque . . . — — Map (db m55220) HM
On December 8, 1838, the founders of St. Paul's Parish met and began the task of drafting the Articles of Organization for a “new Protestant society.” The Parish of St. Paul's Church was officially established with the signing by . . . — — Map (db m54646) HM
This log house was built by Eli
Stillson in the late 1860s and was
lived in by multiple families until
the early 1960s. Over time, the
cabin underwent many changes,
including the addition of numerous
windows and doors. The structure
was . . . — — Map (db m211730) HM
An Emboldened Community For Civil Rights
Starting in the 1840s, the First Congregational Church played an active role in social reforms, civil rights and the anti-slavery movement. This is the setting where the congregation tried to do what . . . — — Map (db m206853) HM
In 1975, when Dennis Hurst was elected the youngest City Commissioner in
Jackson history he emphasized his commitment to restore downtown Jackson.
Hurst joined with Mayor Fred Janke and other Commissioners to create the
Downtown Development . . . — — Map (db m206852) HM
This alley is named for Emma Nichols, a woman who found freedom in Jackson on the Underground Railroad. Emma was born a slave in Virginia in 1830. She later escaped slavery and came to Jackson seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad. Emma and . . . — — Map (db m206848) HM
The original was built in the
late 1840s with alterations
occurring over time, including
the addition of the tower section. Initially, the barn.
was used for general livestock
and agricultural purposes,
but as the farm evolved it . . . — — Map (db m211738) HM
Birthplace of a Political Movement
On July 6, 1854, a new movement was born from a gathering of like-minded people who knew every man and woman was created equal. This gathering created a political change in the United States by signaling . . . — — Map (db m210782) HM
Here, under the oaks, July 6th, 1854, was born the Republican Party destined in the throes of civil strife to abolish slavery, vindicate democracy and perpetuate the Union. — — Map (db m211289) HM
On July 6, 1854, a state convention of anti-slavery men was held in Jackson to found a new political party. Uncle Tom's Cabin had been published two years earlier, causing increased resentment against slavery, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of May, . . . — — Map (db m55195) HM
In memory of
our unknown
soldiers
Presented by the General W.H. Withington Circle, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, as a memorial to the mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and lineal female descendants of the men who offered their . . . — — Map (db m210718) WM
On December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, a sneak attack by
the Japanese Imperial Navy sunk this ship among others taking
1177 servicemen with it. A day of infamy never to forget. — — Map (db m206981) HM WM
Erected in grateful recognition of the men and women of Summit Township
In memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice and in honor of all who faithfully served in defense of our country — — Map (db m211964) WM
In 1971 the Museum moved
this original Merriman-Sharp
farm building to its current
location where it was adapted
for use as an exhibit area.
It has since been repurposed
for educational programs
as an example of a typical
nineteenth . . . — — Map (db m211736) HM
It was in 1839 that a group of seekers after God's truth gathered together to found Norvell Community Baptist Church. The thirty charter members first met in the Norvell Plains School and built the present church in 1871, which is an historic site . . . — — Map (db m226818) HM
