Burrage Library stands on the campus of Olivet Colege which is in the town of Olivet. The Library was constructed in 1889 with a gift of $35,000 from Leonard Burrage.  In front of the library is a Michigan Historical Marker that reads:

On Feb 14, 1844, the Rev. John J. “Father” Shipherd and 39 followers arrived by ox-cart on this wilderness hilltop, driving their herds before them. They felt that God had directed them to this oak grove for the purpose of founding a coeducational Christian college open to students of all races. First chartered as Olivet Institute, the school received its charter as a college in 1859. For over a century it has given a broad liberal arts education, with strong support from the Congregational Church. Many alumni have gone forth “Pro Christo et Humanitate.”

The Story I read is that when Father Shipherd was driving his Ox Cart the oxen pulling the cart continued to disobey his orders and would stop on top of a hill. This was the revelation he needed to decide where to start his school. I am not sure how true the story is but if Father Shipherd wanted a quiet out of the way place he definitely found it.

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This historic town hall sits in Tyrone Township south of Fenton. The historical marker on the front reads:

Tyrone Township was settled in 1834, and Joseph M. Becker was elected as the first township supervisor in 1838. Township meetings were held in the homes of the townsfolk until 1887, when this hall was erected on Hartland Road at a cost of $640. Locally referred to as the town house, it served as a gathering place for township business, elections, and 4H activities until a new hall was constructed in 1967. In 1975, as a bicentennial project, the town house was relocated, restored and rededicated on this site.

The township recently built a new township hall and the historical society is working on moving the historic building to a new site. You can see more on their website HERE

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This massive building complex sits along the Kalamazoo River in Plainwell. It was a paper mill built in 1886 and at its peak produced 50 tons of paper daily. It changed owners a few times and then it closed in 2000. The city of Plainwell purchased the old mill and have been redeveloping the property into office and retail space.

If you are near the Plainwell area I will be giving a presentation at the Ransom District Library on February 16th, at 7pm. You can learn more about my winter presentations HERE

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the small town of Alba sits in northern lower Michigan near Mancelona. It is situated in Star Township and the first township hall built in 1897 still stands in Alba..

Reminder: I will be at the Tyrone Township Hall giving a presentation this Saturday January 29th from 2-4 pm 8420 Runyan Lake Road, Fenton, MI 48430

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North of downtown Flint near the Flint River is this two-story brick building. It is not ornately decorated with victorian ara trim, nor is it extremely large but it is an important starting point for one of America’s largest companies. It was constructed in 1895 to be used as an office and showroom for the Durant-Dort Carriage Company.  In 1915 the company became the Dort Motor Car Company manufacturing four different models of cars until production ended in 1924. It was Dort’s partner William Durant that went on to consolidate several automobile manufacturers into General Motors.

Over time the building went through a few different ownerships and configurations. It even had a third story floor and flat roof added to it. In the 80s, the Genesee County Historical Society restored the building to its original construction. In 2013 GM purchased the building and designated it a General Motors heritage site.

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This magnificent stone building stands on Pheonix Street in South Haven. At first glance, it looks like a church but it is actually a literary club. It was constructed in 1893 by the Scott Club named after Sir Walter Scott. The building has two stained glass windows created in Austria portray Sir Walter Scott and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The club continues to this day providing cultural enrichment programs to the community.

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