Michigan - Jackson County markers

Markers visited in Jackson County

A lot of these were visited in 2023 and 2024, before I started this blog. Travel details will be thin to none. This page will be updated as I visit more markers.

The first marker I came to is in a rest area on I-94.  I-94 is the primary access to Jackson.

The Jackson Area

Not far into town is the site of the first state prison. It's no longer active.

First State Prison
 

First State Prison

 About a quarter mile away is St. John's Church

St. John's Church
St. John's Church 

A very prominent theme that you notice in historical markers and museums throughout southern Michigan is anti-slavery and abolitionists.

Abolitionists in Jackson marker in the park
 

Abolitionists In Jackson

 
Abolitionists in Jackson - obverse

Jacksonburg Public Square - in the same park

 

The Underground Railroad in Jackson

Mount Evergreen Cemetery - obverse of Underground Railroad

Elsewhere is the "Under the Oaks" site, birthplace of the US Republican party. When founded, the Republican party was very much dedicated to abolishing slavery.

 

Under the Oaks site

Under the Oaks

Nearby is the First Congregational Church:


 

First Congregational Church national register plaque


First Congregational Church



First Methodist Episcopal Church


First Methodist Episcopal Church



The Ismon Building

Horace Ismon - obverse of Ismon Building

Ismon Building - obverse of Horace Ismon



First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church Cornerstone


First Baptist Church






St. Paul's Episcopal Church

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

St. Mary Star of the Sea Church


St. Mary Star of the Sea Church

Austin Blair

Austin Blair - obverse

South of Jackson is the Ella Sharp Museum

Ella Sharp Museum

East of Jackson, in Grass Lake:

Grass Lake Railroad Depot


 

Michigan Central Railroad Depot


Grass Lake - obverse of Michigan Central Railroad Depot

Leslie, Michigan:

First Baptist Church

 

First Baptist Church

 

Also in Jackson County, in the rural area, is this really weird and interesting bit of history, the dual initial points of Michigan. This must be unique at least in the US.

Speculation on the reason for dual points range from inaccessibility of the first point (in a swampy area) by the time of the second survey, all the way to too much drink on the part of the second surveying party.

 

Meridian-Base Line Dual Initial Points

Meridian-Base Line Initial Point - obverse of above

Location of first initial point


First initial point

Location of second initial point

Second Initial Point




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