Embedded Files
The Nathan Thomas House might look small, but in the 19th century, it played an important part in Schoolcraft's history. In the early 1840’s, Northern abolitionists organized a system to get escaped slaves from the South to freedom safely. Since it was illegal to assist escaping slaves , therefore it was kept secret. This system was called the Underground Railroad. Arrangements were made for overnight sanctuary for the fugitives in private homes, called Stations, and for transportation to the next hiding pace in their journey.
The Lady Library is one of the top 5 historical places in Schoolcraft, Michigan. The Lady Library started out only accepting women and young girls into it. The Lady Library was a place where girls could go to read and learn because they didn’t get much schooling. The library was the first ladies club in Michigan and the third in the nation. The library is now a historical building that you can visit and get a feel of what is was like back in the 1800’s. The Ladies Library Association was founded in 1879 to provide educational opportunities to local women and is still active today.
In 1828, Bazel Harrison moved from Ohio to Prairie Ronde Township, making him the first settler in the (future) Kalamazoo County. Bazel and Martha were Schoolcraft’s first family, making them the first settlers in the area. After leaving Ohio with there 8 of 17 children, a handful of neighbors, and a few grandchildren they arrived in Prairie Ronde in November of 1828. The township was later established by Lucius Lyon, and he later named it after his friend Henry Schoolcraft. The Bazel Harrison memorial is a very important part of Schoolcraft that few know about. As it honors the very person responsible for our township.
(March 28, 1793 – December 10, 1864) was an american geographer geologist, and ethologist, noted for his early studies of native american cultures, as well as for his 1832 expedition to the source of the Mississippi river. He is also noted for his major six-volume study of Native Americans published in the 1850s. This new frontier town named Schoolcraft to honor his good friend Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, explorer, scientist, author, historian, and Indian Agent living in the Northern part of the Michigan Territory. During Schoolcraft's years in the northland he collected and published the tales and legends of the Chippewa and Ojibway Tribes. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow read the volumes and asked Schoolcraft's permission to place the stories into poetry. A few years later the "Song of Hiawatha" took its place in American literature, much to Schoolcraft's pleasure.
James Nesbitt Residents
This house was built by P.D Miller in 1896. James Nesbitt lived here with his family. He and his brother were the first legislative bankers in Schoolcraft, MI. This home has been restored using decorative techniques appropriate to the original appearance.
Ken Krum Residents
Ken Krum built this house in 1960. He was the one who opened the Ken Krum Center. Ken was the first person who opened a car dealership in Schoolcraft.
Dr. Nathan Thomas's second house
Dr. Nathan Thomas first came to Schoolcraft in 1830, and in 1840 he married Pamela Brown. Soon the two of them began housekeeping the house Thomas had built five years earlier, and at the end of The Civil War, in the year 1867, he built her this three-story home. The Flinton home at 228 W Cass St., is the former residence of Dr. Nathan Thomas, the first doctor in Kalamazoo County and whose first home was the historical Underground Railway House.
The Troxel House
By the turn of the century, Schoolcraft had developed into a flourishing community of 825 souls. There were three churches, two railroad depots, and three grocery stores, a bank, and a newspaper. Both doctors and dentists had settled there and two hotels were ready to receive guests and travelers. By this time the little village had come to terms with its status relative to Kalamazoo, and according to residents was a very pleasant place to live. One of the two hotels in Schoolcraft included the Troxel house. The Troxel house is now used as a resrant called Buds bar. Buds Bar has been serving since 1952 and is an iconic place in Schoolcraft.
The Schoolcraft Community Library has several historical sources regarding Schoolcraft and its history. In 1987 there was no library in Schoolcraft, Michigan. The community depended on the visits of the Kalamazoo Public Library’s Bookmobile. By 1988, thanks to a determined cadre of community volunteers and one employee, the Schoolcraft Community Library began to serve a grateful public from a storefront on Grand Avenue. The collection might have been slim, but hopes were high.
The Grand Trunk Western Depot
The Grand Trunk Western Depot was a hub for shipping and passengers. Trains loaded and unloaded shipping cargo for Schoolcraft Michigan. The Western Depot was part of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company which is an American subsidiary of the Canadian Railway. It’s primary line goes from Chicago to Port Huron, Michigan. This railroad began in 1859 and is still being used; however, the Grand Trunk Western Depot in Schoolcraft is no longer is use.
The United Methodist Church
This was the first house of worship North of the St. Joseph River. It was built in 1835. The church bought an acre of land in 1835 from Preston McCreary. It was the first house of worship north of the St. Joseph River.
The Carney House
33 Acres. George Fletcher to son Zachariah Fletcher to daughter Alice Fletcher Carney, to son Roy Carney, to son Wade P. Carney. Wife present owner.
Former Home of Pat and Gerald Meintyre
It is youth, in the 1850's, this spacious old home was decorated with fancy scrollwork, a large front porch, and was encircled by a fence. The old smoke house can still be seen in the side yard.
Home of Mrs. Stanley B. Smith
This pioneer home, built at the edge of the Big Island Woods, was the home of the first permanent resident, Thaddeus Smith. His wife, Eliza, who learned to speak the Pottawatomie language, was called the Good White Squaw by Chief Sagemaw and the members of his tribe. It has been home to the Smith Family for almost 145 years.
The Chapin House
80 Acres. Land purchased in 1871 by John Rine. To daughter Margaret Rine Chaplin, to grandson Firman Chaplin, present owner.
The Village Cyclery
The oldest surviving mercantile building on main street was Isaac Allen's Hardware Store in the 1840's. Miraculously it escaped the fire of 1893 which completly destroyed the four stories south of it. It is now the Village Cyclery.
Wing Farm
240 Acres. Spencer Jeduthrun Wing to daughter Josephine Wing Jackson to son Jubery Jackson, present owner.
Brown Home
85 Acres. R. Lakin Brown, Sr. to Addison Brown to E. Lakin Brown to Garry and Thaddeus Brown, present owners.
Burson Home
Deed to 80 acres, signed by President Jackson, 130 to Abner Burson, to son James Wallace Burson, to son Abner Burson, to son Randal Burson, present owner.
The Mack house
80 Acres. Abner Mack to son Return Mack to son Charles Mack to son J. C. Mack, Present owner
The Gilmore house
120 acres. Steven Vickery to Wallace Vickery to daughter, Hattie Vickery Gilmore to grandson, Victor Gilmore, whose wife is the present owner.
Home of Jan and Dennis McNally
This trim frame home was originally a millinery shop (making hats for women) with a ladder leading to sleeping rooms in the loft. It was built in the early 1830's when Centre Street was the main street. Three additions were added on later dates.
Home of Mari Helen Glascock
This home was built during the Civil War. The grounds reflect nearly a century of deep interest in botany by the Hanes family. It now houses the treasures of Mrs. Glascock.
Home of Joyce and Dorian Hoyt
This home is unique in its use of three pillars instead of the usual four, to support the main portico. It is said to be architecturally perfect. The first pioneer child born in Schoolcraft, Helen Smith, lived in this home after her marriage to Isiah Pursel. It was probably built in the 1840's
The Presbyterian Church
in 1892, the then brick church was built at the corner of cedar and cass streets. it was under the direction of Rev. Wm. S. Buck, and costed $4,278.
The Dr. Fox House
Dr. William Fox came to Schoolcraft in 1844. Martha Tisdale, his English wife, was a descendant of The Lord Mayor of London. In 1851 Dr. Fox built the front section of is house, and finished the back a few years later. HIs wife grew a wide variety of flowers and herbs.
President of Schoolcraft's House
E. Lakin Brown was a school teacher from Vermont who arrived in Schoolcraft in 1831. He was married in 1837 and then proceeded to build his home, where many political meetings and parties were held and was a family home for the Browns for many generations.
Report abuse