Grand Ledge Area Historical Society

HISTORY OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND STREETS

1853	Original Plat	map code (1)	View Plat Map
The Original Plat was signed on October 28, 1853. The layout of the village at the heart of Grand Ledge followed the direction of the river.			Developed by Rueben Wood David Taylor Henry French Edmund Lamson Nathon Allen William Russell
This period, leading up to the Civil War, was a time of tension in the new nation. The early settlers showed their patriotism when they named many streets in a patriotic theme. Washington Street for George Washington, the first President Adams Street for John and John Quincy Adams, the second and sixth Presidents Jefferson Street for Thomas Jefferson, the third President Madison Street for James Madison, the fourth President Jackson Street for Andrew Jackson, the seventh President Harrison Street for William Henry Harrison, the ninth President Taylor Street for Zachary Taylor, the twelfth President. Franklin Street for Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. Liberty Street Other streets named at that time were: Front Street, which fronted on the river on the north side Main Street, which was the main street on the north side Mill Street (later renamed Greenwood), which was the street that led to the flour mill Water Street, this street once ran from the bridge down to the flour mill. It is now long gone. Mineral Street Torrey Street, this is named for J. Torrey, and early land owner. River Street, this runs along the river on the south side Sumner Street, for A. Sumner, and early settler. Bridge Street, which leads to the bridge Russell Street, The Russell brothers were among the first settlers in the area. William Russell was an early businessman who by 1853 owned blocks 27,28,29, and 53. This is the land between Russell Street and Adams Street between Jefferson and River Streets and also the land along the river around where the opera house now stands. Seward Street, Seward Wallace was the grandson of first settler Edmund Lamson. He was 14 years old in 1852 when he drowned near the area while trying to cross the river on a log. Park Street Scott Street, Chauncey L. Scott had a grocery and general store. West Street, on the western edge of the village North Street, on the northern edge of the village East Street, this street on the eastern edge of the village on the north side, was platted but never actually developed. On paper it ran from about where the corner of N. Clinton and E. Front are today to the corner of Oakwood and Burch where it would have met North Street. Railroad Street (later renamed Lincoln), this remains a mystery as to why it was named Railroad. Some accounts say that it ran to a depot on the south side that was later moved to the north side. However this street carried the name Railroad for sixteen years before the railroad actually came to the village. Perhaps this is where the settlers thought the railroad line would run, or maybe it was a way to advertise to the railroad company that the village was ready for the railroad to come to our town. In any event, having a Railroad Street on the opposite side of the settlement from the actual railroad tracks proved very confusing. Around 1913 the street was renamed in honor of Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President.

1867	Lampson Addition	map code (2)	View Plat Map
Edmund Lampson was the first permanent settler in the village. He contributed much land to the original plat. This triangular shaped section was the remaining part of an original 80-acre parcel. The rest of the parcel was included in the Original Plat. Within just three years, the White School, the first school on the south side, was located in this Addition.			Developed by Edmund Lampson
Lampson Street South Street, which ran on the south edge of the village Jenne Street, Rev. Alonzo Jenne was a Free Baptist preacher. In 1857 he bought 40 acres along what is now Jenne Street. His farm was on the west side of the street at the corner of Saginaw Road.

1869	Compton & Johnson Addition	map code (3)	View Plat Map
This was a replat of part of the Original Plat. Johnson's lived on Front Street in this area.			Developed by Cynthia Johnson Cyrus Compton
Clinton Street, this is the street which lead to Clinton County.

1869	Ingersoll Addition	map code (4)	View Plat Map
Beginning with this addition, most future streets will abandoned the grid that follows the river and follow a grid based on True North. Ingersolls were early settlers in Delta Township and founders of Delta Mills.			Developed by Albert Ingersoll J.H. Gibbons Surveyor J.H. Gibbons
Ingersoll Street Emerson Street

1872	T.H. Harris Addition	map code (5)	View Plat Map
Thomas Harris was a farmer whose farm ran from Emerson Street west along West Main Street. His brick farmhouse stands near the Railroad track today.			Developed by Thomas Harris Anne Harris Surveyor Asa Willmouth
Ledge Street

1872	Rogers' Addition	map code (6)	View Plat Map
Isaac Rogers was a farmer who owned 80 acres bounded by what are now N. Clinton, Hartel Road, Union Street and Whitney Street. When the railroad cut across his farm in 1869 he platted all his land south of the tracks into this Addition.			Developed by Isaac Rogers Harrison Halbert John Vangerboget Surveyor W.H. Simpson
Booth Street, Jerome Booth was a laborer Union Street, another patriotic name to celebrate the victory of the recent Civil War. Church Street Whitney Street, Edwin Whitney lived at the corner of Union and Whitney Streets.

1875	Halbert Addition	map code (7)	View Plat Map
Harrison Halbert was a farmer who owned 160 acres bounded by what are now N. Clinton, Union Street, and running all the way to the river. After the railroad cut through a corner of his farm in 1869 he donated land around it for the depot. He also donated land to start the cemetery in a wooded area in the middle of his farm. Halbert platted the northern portion of his farm in 1875.			Developed by Harrison Halbert Surveyor Stephen Pearl
Orchard Street, this street ran along the edge of the new Addition, by the Halbert Orchard. Burtch Street (or Burch), Henry Burtch settled here in 1850. John Burtch started the Seven Islands Resort in 1872. Morley Street, Steward Morley was a merchant and a carpenter. For many years he lived and ran a store at the corner of Main and Bridge Streets.

1875	Owen's Addition	map code (8)	View Plat Map
This 30 acre parcel was part of the 80 acre DeGroff Farm which ran from what is now Kent Street all the way to Saginaw Road. In 1874 S. W. Owen purchased this parcel from the estate of Dr. DeGroff and set out this plat. However it was not developed for another 70 years, until after World War II.			Developed by S.W. Owens Surveyor Stephen Pearl
DeGroff Street, Dr DeGroff was an early physician and farmer. This street was the road to the DeGroff Farm. Pine Street Willow Street Seymour Street Pearl Street, Stephen Pearl had a general store on North Bridge and a local surveyor

1891	Riverside Addition	map code (9)	View Plat Map
Edmund Lamson began selling lots in this area in the 1870s. The Village Council set out the streets in 1878. But it was not until 1891 that the area was officially platted. See the detail for the long list of property owners.			Developed by S ee detail Surveyor Henry H. Wagoner
Pleasant Street Jones Street, The Jones Family were early settlers just west of Grand Ledge. J. Jones lived at the corner of Smith and West Jefferson. Perry Street, Perry Joslin was a early mason and owned the land on both sides of Perry Street Willard Court (a street added later) Spring Street, this street starts at West Jefferson. At this corner was the home of Edmund Lamson, the first settler. In the side yard of his house was a natural spring and pond. While the Lamson home still stands, the spring and pond have been filled in. Smith Street, Abram Smith built the first home in the settlement made from sawn lumber, not logs. This house, built in 1851 at the corner of Smith and Jefferson, was used as the first school and church. Abram Smith was a partner in building the first damn in 1849.

1891	Southside Addition	map code (10)	View Plat Map
This area was platted following the death of Edmund Lampson from his remaining farm. This was at the height of the Resort Area and housing was needed in the booming city.			Developed by Estate of Edmund Lampson S B Granger Administrator Surveyor W.D. Southworth
Maple Street Green Street, G. D. Green was a prominent physician during the 1890s Walnut Street Seminary Street

1893	Newton's Addition	map code (11)	View Plat Map
			Developed by Robert Newton Mary Newton William McRoberts Jenne McRoberts Surveyor W.D. Southworth

1893 1907	Kent Addition Amended Plat	map code (13)	View Plat Map View Amended
Peter M. Kent was one of the first settlers of the township in 1836. He brought his parents and brothers here in 1838. He later moved to Grand Ledge in 1861. Francis, his brother was his partner in the flour mill here. Francis Kents' son Valorus owned the 80 acres where Beagle, Neff and the High School now stand. They also owned 12 acres just North of it. The amended plat added the block between Kent and South Streets and it also removed Corcy Street that had been drawn one block south of Lovell Street.			Developed by Valorus Kent Myrtie Kent C.A. Kent Hattie Kent Ellen Bowser Surveyor W.D. Southworth
Lovell, Harriett Lovell Kent was the mother of Valorus Kent. Kent

1894	Russell Addition - Oneida	map code (12)	View Plat Map
In 1873 this land was part the 40 acre farm of Gorham. The land was purchased by the Russell Family and the land west of Sandstone Creek was plated. The Russell family was one of the earliest settlers in the township.			Developed by Edwin Russell Maria Russell Charles Russell Oliver Russell IsadorRussell Fred Russell Florence Russell Ellnor Russell J. Newton Russell Surveyor A.H. Bateman
Franklin Street Cliff Street

1907	Harden Addition	map code (14)	View Plat Map
At the time the Kent Family replatted their original plat, they also platted this addition to the City. This was the remaining part of a 12 acre parcel.			Developed by Valorus Kent Mytie Kent Charles Kent Hattie Kent Hattie Lutz Surveyor W.D. Southworth

1908 1915	Kennedy Addition Clarke Replat	map code (15)	View Plat Map View Amended
Bert Kennedy lived in the Abram Smith house, mentioned above. He platted what was left of the Smith farm. The 1915 replat divided most lots into two smaller lots just 25 to 30 feet wide.			Developed by Bert Kennedy Hattie Kennedy Nathon Watson Mary Watson William Cheesmound Jennie Cheesmond Lucy Morgan George Berry Jennie Berry Surveyor W.D. Southworth R.J. Robb
Kenney Place

1909	Mudge's River View Park	map code (16)	View Plat Map
Julian Scott. Mudge was the renowned operator of the Seven Islands Resort. He platted this land which overlooked his celebrated summer resort. Whatever Mudge’s plans for the “park”, they never materialized and only one house has ever been built there. Note the "boulevard" or walking promenade along the river.			Developed by J. Scott Mudge Elizabeth Mudge Surveyor W.D. Southworth
Terrace Court, a terrace is a narrow area of river bank, also a row of houses on sloping ground.

1914	Noyes' Addition	map code (17)	View Plat Map
Lee Clarke platted this 20 acre parcel			Developed by Lee Clarke Surveyor H.A Williams
Elm Street High Street Clarke Street

1929	Supervisor Plats 1 to 6	map codes (18) to (23)	View Plat 1 View Plat 2 View Plat 3 View Plat 4 View Plat 5 View Plat 6
By 1929 most of the neighborhoods in the city remained unplatted. Eli Taylor, City Supervisor changed that by platting six large areas of the city. The lots reflect both undeveloped land and long established neighborhoods. The odd sized lots reflect these existing parcels.			Developed by Surveyor R.J. Robb
Edwards Street, until 1913 this was called Lincoln Street. Then Railroad Street was renamed Lincoln Street and this street was renamed for Elmer Edwards. Edwards was a builder and contractor. He built many homes and was the contractor for the 1910 cement bridge. Gulf Street, named for the gorge or gulf through which Sandstone Creek passes. Bates Street, Orange and Hariett Bates lived on N. Clinton Street for many years. Ferguson Street Oakwood Street Fleming Street McMillen Street, J.W. McMillen began developing this area in the 1870s. Wright Street Halbert Street, Harrison Halbert as discussed above. Plats #3 and #4 lie entirely on the Halbert Farm.

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