For many years the area known as Charlton Park was called Indian Landing. During the early 1800’s Potawatomi tribes migrated from eastern Wisconsin to southwest Michigan. In 1833 the Treaty of Chicago deeded all Michigan lands held by the Potawatomi to the United States. Under this treaty the Potawatomi agreed to move west of the Mississippi River. However, many Native Americans living here evaded the government agents and remained at Indian Landing.

In 1849 a Methodist mission was established on this land for both Native Americans and European settlers. A small church was built on the site. On Sunday mornings the Native Americans blew a horn that could be heard for three to four miles. Upon hearing the signal, the pioneers who lived across the river would proceed on horseback to the banks of the Thornapple River. There the Native Americans would meet them and transport them by canoe to Church services. In 1853, a log schoolhouse was built here at the request of the Native Americans. In 1972 this site “Indian Landing” was placed on the Michigan Historical Register in recognition of its first Native American inhabitants.

Historic Charlton Park Village and Museum began as one man’s dream for preservation of the past. In 1936, Irving Delos Charlton donated land to Barry County for the purpose of building a museum and recreation facility for local residents, and named the place in honor of his parents, E. Frank and Roseanna Charlton. After World War II ended, the museum became a reality; construction was completed in 1950.

During his lifetime, Mr. Charlton collected thousands of artifacts, forming the core of the collection now owned by the museum. Many of these were simple objects which reflect the lives of those who lived in the small communities of this region.

The abundance of objects enabled the creation of a typical mid-Michigan village of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. 25 historic residences, businesses and community buildings were moved from throughout Barry County to recreate life in an early rural Michigan village. Mr. Charlton’s collection in the Park preserves for future generations a rich heritage and Barry County’s testament to an earlier time. The site is a Michigan Historic Landmark. The buildings include:

Page Last Modified: September 28, 2007 at 9:09 am