On East Main Street at Hanover Street, on the right when traveling west on East Main Street.
Alvah N. Belding
Memorial Library
has been placed on the
National Register of
Historic Places
by the United States
Department of Interior
May 21, 1993 — — Map (db m216061) HM
On East Main Street at Hanover Street, on the left when traveling east on East Main Street.
Alvah N. Belding erected this library in 1917/18 as a memorial to his parents, Hiram and Mary Wilson Belding. Alvah and his brother Hiram began peddling silk around Belding (then Patterson's Mills) in 1858. With the help of their brother Milo they . . . — — Map (db m216178) HM
On East Congress Street at North Bridge Street, on the left when traveling east on East Congress Street.
On April 1, 1912, the citizens of Belding voted to issue a $15,000 bond to build a new city hall. At the time, the city jail was housed in an old barn and the dilapidated building rented by the city as a firehouse was called a “burning shame.” . . . — — Map (db m216068) HM
On Depot Street west of North Bridge Street, on the right when traveling west.
In memory of the boys of 1861-1865 who offered their services for the integrity and unity of our Grand Republic during the War of the Rebellion
Dan S. Root Post 126
Department of Michigan
Grand Army of the Republic
Organized April . . . — — Map (db m216677) WM
On Depot Street near North Broas Street, on the right when traveling west.
Desert Shield
We stood behind the men & women who stood behind the line in the sand
Persian Gulf War
August 1990 - February 1991
Desert Storm
To honor our men & women who served 1991 — — Map (db m216680) WM
On Depot Street near North Bridge Street, on the right when traveling west.
Korean War
June 25th, 1950
July 27th, 1953
And still occupied to this day
The Forgotten War
The first soldier from Ionia County to be killed in action was Pvt. Clayton D. Adams US Army. Adams left for Korea on July 20, 1950 . . . — — Map (db m216683) WM
On Depot Street near North Broas Street, on the right when traveling west.
Afghanistan
Operation Enduring Freedom
All gave some, some gave all!
This memorial is dedicated to all those who served in Afghanistan and to the heroes we lost. — — Map (db m216681) WM
On Depot Street near North Broas Street, on the right when traveling west.
★★★ Chair of Honor ★★★
For
Prisoners of War - Missing in Action
★★★
This unoccupied chair is in honor of those that are still Prisoners of War (POW)or Missing in Action (MIA), and . . . — — Map (db m216682) WM
On Depot Street near North Bridge Street, on the right when traveling west.
This memorial was erected to commemorate those who dedicated their lives to serve in the First World War
April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918 — — Map (db m216678) WM
On Hanover Street at East Main Street, on the right when traveling north on Hanover Street.
Built in 1906, the Belrockton is the last remaining boardinghouse of the three provided by the Belding Brothers and Company for its single female workers. A major silk manufacturer in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the company . . . — — Map (db m55242) HM
On Depot Street at North Bridge Street, on the right when traveling west on Depot Street.
Pere Marquette Depot
built in 1921
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior — — Map (db m216064) HM
On Depot Street at North Bridge Street, on the right when traveling west on Depot Street.
Completed in 1923 for the Pere Marquette Railway, this depot is typical of the railroad stations that served Michigan towns during the early decades of the twentieth century. The depot replaced an earlier, wood frame station built during the 1880s . . . — — Map (db m216177) HM
On Depot Street near North Bridge Street, on the right when traveling west.
Belding Varsity Football jersey #61 was worn by Warren Lane, a graduate from
Belding High School with the class of "63". He married Marcia, moved to
Grand Rapids and entered the Army in 1966, but he will always remain a
Belding son. Warren was . . . — — Map (db m217244) WM
On North Whites Bridge Road, 1 mile north of Richmond Road, on the right when traveling north.
This picturesque covered bridge, one of the last of its kind in Michigan, was built in 1867 by Jared N. Brazee and J.N. Walker, builders of several covered bridges in this area. The name of the bridge derives from the White family, a prominent . . . — — Map (db m55246) HM
St.John the Baptist Church
Organized in 1855 to serve Irish Catholic immigrants, the parish of St.John the Baptist worshipped in a simple church on the Cowman farm until 1868. That year, the parish of seventy families built this church, which . . . — — Map (db m217492) HM
This block was used as a stepping stone to
get into and out of carriages. The side
facing the street is inscribed with the name
John C. Welch. The block originally stood
in front of Welch's residence in the 500
block of West Main Street. One of . . . — — Map (db m216316) HM
On West Main Street, on the right when traveling east.
Alfred Cornell, Sr., and his family came to Ionia during November,
1833. His son, Dr. Alanson Cornell, was a physician and druggist
who operated a drug store at the southwest corner of Main Street
and Cornell Alley. Dr. Cornell's home was on the . . . — — Map (db m216319) HM
On West Main Street, on the left when traveling east.
The first store opened in 1834 in a
rented portion of Samuel Dexter's barn. By
1845, the downtown included a hotel,
tavern, wagon repair shop, drug store and
the Ionia Land Office, where land purchases
were made for all areas of Michigan to . . . — — Map (db m216307) HM
On West Main Street, on the right when traveling east.
Jonathan Hale and Son was a mill formerly
located at 227 South Steele Street. Hale
operated flour and feed mills in several
other Michigan cities, including Lyons and
Stanton, before opening the Ionia mill in
1901. By 1907, the Ionia mill had . . . — — Map (db m216310) HM
On West Main Street at North Dexter Street, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street.
This tablet is dedicated to the memory of
Samuel Dexter · Erastus Yeomans · Oliver Arnold · Joel Guild · Edward Guild · Darius Winsor · and their families
and
Dr. William B. Lincoln · Winsor Dexter · Warner Dexter · Patrick M. Fox · Abram . . . — — Map (db m215982) HM
On West Main Street, on the right when traveling east.
- Owner of the Ypsilanti Reed
Furniture Company in Ionia, the
world's largest reed furniture factory
and one of Ionia's largest employers
- Investor in many business
ventures in Michigan and beyond
- Graduate of the University of Michigan, . . . — — Map (db m216322) HM
On Union Street at High Street, on the right on Union Street.
Governor of Michigan, 1927-1931, Fred W. Green was born in Manistee in 1872 and grew up in Cadillac. A partner in the Ypsilanti Reed Furniture Co., he moved the business to Ionia in 1904. Attracted to politics, he served twelve terms as mayor of . . . — — Map (db m215975) HM
On East Main Street at Library Court, on the right when traveling west on East Main Street.
Captain Lucius Mills, a local builder, constructed this house for Frederick and Ann Hall in 1869-70. Built of variegated Ionia sandstone, the house is an outstanding example of the Italian Villa style. Frederick Hall came to Ionia County in 1837 . . . — — Map (db m215970) HM
On West Main Street at Hudson Street, on the left when traveling east on West Main Street.
In memory of Wm. H. Borden Post No. 211 Dept. of Mich. G.A.R.
In memory of Wm. H. Borden W.R.C. No. 28
Though we die
We shall live again — — Map (db m216313) WM
On East Washington Street near Library Court, on the right when traveling west.
In Merritt’s Hall on January 24, 1859, the Reverend Isaac Errett and forty-three members signed the original charter of the Ionia Church of Christ (First Christian Church). The first church of this denomination had been founded in nearby Muir in . . . — — Map (db m215974) HM
On East Main Street at Hudson Street, on the right when traveling west on East Main Street.
Completed in 1885, the Ionia County Courthouse is the largest structure ever built of Ionia sandstone. The handsome three-and-a-half story courthouse replaced an 1840s hall of justice, which had become inadequate for the county’s needs. David W. . . . — — Map (db m215952) HM
On East Main Street, on the left when traveling east.
Dedicated to the
Korean and Vietnam
veterans of Ionia
County who honorably
served and gave
their all for our
great country.
Korean Conflict 1950 - 1957
Clayton D. Adams - Ionia County •
Clifford C. Castle - Ionia County •
Robert L. . . . — — Map (db m216312) WM
On North Dexter Street, on the right when traveling north.
Ionia was established in 1833 by Samuel
Dexter. Originally, Dexter named the
settlement Washington Center. The name
was later changed to Ionia County Seat
and then shortened to Ionia. In the mid-
1800's, Dexter's home and sawmill stood
near . . . — — Map (db m216326) HM
Near West Main Street west of South Depot Street, on the right when traveling east.
- Born in Ionia County in 1840
- Authorized to raise a company of the 6th Michigan Cavalry in 1862, and quickly rose to the rank of Colonel
- Succeeded Gen. George Armstrong Custer to command his Michigan Cavalry Brigade, then served under . . . — — Map (db m216321) HM
On East Main Street near South Jackson Street, on the right when traveling east.
John C. Blanchard
John Celsus Blanchard (1822-1905) epitomizes the American “self-made man.” He left his home in Cayuga County, New York, at age fourteen, bound for the western frontier. Blanchard worked as a laborer in Detroit, Livingston . . . — — Map (db m215933) HM
Near West Main Street west of South Depot Street, on the right when traveling east.
• Julia Wheelock
(top center)
- One of the area's early school teachers
- Pioneering nurse during the Civil War
- Early advocate for nursing education
• Bertha Brock
(lower left)
- Ionia's premier historian
- Namesake of . . . — — Map (db m216323) HM
On West Main Street, on the right when traveling east.
This artifact reflects the industrial past of
Ionia. A wide variety of industries,
including furniture manufacturing, a button
factory and industrial and automotive
suppliers, have operated in Ionia
throughout its history. — — Map (db m216325) HM
On West Main Street, on the left when traveling east.
This one horse plow represents Ionia
County's agricultural past, an important
industry throughout local history. Farming
became especially profitable after the
railroads were built through Ionia, as it gave
the farmers a quicker and more . . . — — Map (db m216306) HM
On West Main Street, on the right when traveling east.
• Samuel & Anna Dexter
(top center)
- Leader of the Dexter Colony that first
settled the village of Ionia in 1833
- A leading businessman in Ionia
• Erastus & Phoebe Yeomans
(lower left)
- Original settlers of the village
- . . . — — Map (db m216320) HM
On West Washington Street near North Kidd Street, on the right when traveling east.
The St. John’s Episcopal parish was established on February 4, 1841. Under the leadership of the Reverend Melancthon Hoyt, the parish constructed its first church, now the parish house, that same year. Built on land donated by Ionia’s founder, . . . — — Map (db m215973) HM
On West Washington Street near North Kidd Street, on the right when traveling east.
St. Johns Parish House
-Erected in 1841-
The first church in Ionia
moved from corner to
present site in 1881
-lot presented by-
Hon. Samuel Dexter
The founder of Ionia — — Map (db m215972) HM
On West Main Street, on the right when traveling east.
This artifact recalls the importance of the
railroads to Ionia's growth. The first
railroad reached Ionia in 1857, and a
second was built in 1869. In 1871-72, the
Pere Marquette Railroad constructed a
roundhouse and shop in Ionia to . . . — — Map (db m216317) HM
On West Main Street, on the left when traveling east.
Used for sharpening knives and other edge
tools, this whetstone reflects Ionia's
historical agricultural and meat processing
industries. The trough would have been
filled with water to keep the stone wet
while in use. — — Map (db m216309) HM
On West Garden Street at Liberty Street, on the right when traveling west on West Garden Street.
In 1856 the Reverend Isaac Errett organized Disciples of Christ congregations in Montrose- (present-day Muir) and Lyons. Membership grew quickly, and in 1861 this church was built to serve Muir. The board-and-batten Gothic Revival exterior masks a . . . — — Map (db m215375) HM
Near East Stoney Creek Road at North Hubbardston Road.
Dedicated to all men and women of the armed forces who honorably served their country. May wherever their shadows fall be in peaceful surroundings. — — Map (db m215917) WM
On East Main Street at Higham Street, on the right when traveling west on East Main Street.
Dedicated to the men and women of Pewamo and vicinity who served in the armed forces in both World Wars
1917 - 1918
1941 - 1945 — — Map (db m215932) WM
On Kent Street near East Bridge Street, on the right when traveling north.
City of Portland In 1833, Elisha Newman filed a federal land grant for extensive land around the Looking Glass and Grand Rivers that would later become the village of Portland. Early Ionia County histories state that Philo Bogue built a . . . — — Map (db m182786) HM
This steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center is dedicated to all of the people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and to all of those who aided in the rescue and recovery efforts.
We Will Never . . . — — Map (db m189571) WM
In Honor Of All Who Have Served In
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom
Never Forget Those Who Have Made
The Ultimate Sacrifice
In Memory Of
LCPL David A Huhn, USMC — — Map (db m189572) WM
Lest we forget
Dedicated to all the men and women in the Portland area, past, present and future, who served or gave their lives in time of war to defend our great nation. — — Map (db m189573) WM
On Portland Riverwalk south of Morse Drive, on the right when traveling south.
Railroads were vital to early residents for receiving goods and moving local produce to market. The first train into Portland arrived in November 1869. In 1881, in addition to freight trains, there were six passenger trains daily, three in each . . . — — Map (db m198483) HM
On East Main Street, 0.1 miles east of Fuller Street, on the left when traveling east.
In 1836, when Saranac was settled, the upper Grand River Valley was a promising but undeveloped area. The soil was fertile; Lake Creek provided water power; and the river was navigable to Grand Rapids. The town grew slowly until 1857, when the . . . — — Map (db m55248) HM
On West Grand River Avenue, 0.1 miles east of Morrison Lake Road, on the right when traveling east.
Here on old U.S. 16 in Boston Township, Ionia County, the first picnic table along a highway right-of-way was placed in 1929 through the initiative of Allan Williams, county engineer. The table was built of salvage planks formerly used as . . . — — Map (db m55249) HM
On West Riverside Drive, on the right when traveling east.
Doubtless the oldest
cobble-stone school house
now standing in Michigan
Restored by
the board of supervisors
of Ionia County
in 1918 — — Map (db m216328) HM
On North Whites Bridge Road at Button Road (State Highway 91), on the left when traveling south on North Whites Bridge Road.
In 1843 Calvin Smith became the first white settler in the area. N.G. Chase opened a store here the following year. When Dr. Wilbur Fisher, the area's pioneer physician, began operating a rural post office in 1848, he named the community Smyrna . . . — — Map (db m55244) HM
