General Land Office (White Pigeon, Michigan)
The White Pigeon land office's location on the Chicago Road (Sauk Trail), which linked Chicago and Detroit was chosen as it was the largest village west of Jackson, MI. . The first settler in Kent County, Michigan bought land from the office was Louis Campau in October 1833.
The U.S. started issuing land in Michigan after the 1821 Treaty of Chicago, in which the Potawatomi and other tribes turned over their land, was signed in 1821. The White Pigeon land office operated for 4 years from 1831-1834. During that time over a quarter million acres of land were sold from this office at a rate of $1.25 per acre. In 1834, the White Pigeon register Abraham S. Edwards and receiver, Thomas C. Sheldon moved to the newly created land office in Bronson-now Kalamazoo.
The land office was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 7, 1989.
The White Pigeon land office is the oldest building in Southwest Michigan and one of the oldest in the state.
Design
The land office was built in the Greek Revival architectural style which was a prevalent style during this time period. It is located in downtown White Pigeon, MI. The site was renovated in 2019 and features displays and exhibits relating to surveying, land purchase and the history of the area.
References
- ^ Michigan Markers
- ^ "Michigan State Land Office Board records: 1816-1924". Bentley Historical Library. University of Michigan. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ "The White Pigeon Land Office". Michigan.org. Pure Michigan. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ "The Land Office". historygrandrapids.org. History of Grand Rapids. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ "Michigan Markers". michmarkers.com. The Michigan Historical Marker Web Site. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ [1], National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
- ^ "Michigan Markers". michbar.org. The State Bar of Michigan. Retrieved 21 September 2016.