For many years, the area known as Historic Charlton Park was called Indian Landing.
During the early 1800's, Pottawatomi tribes migrated from eastern Wisconsin to southwest Michigan. In 1833, the Treaty of Chicago deeded all Michigan lands held by the Pottawatomi to the United States. Under this treaty the Pottawatomi agreed to move west of the Mississippi River. However, many Native Americans remained at Indian Landing. In 1849, members of the Thornapple Band of Odawa Indians owned the property. Their names were Bahhotea, Ashquesa, Keneshewa, and Chahahhoo according to the property’s title.* They permitted Reverend Manasseh Hickey, an Episcopal Methodist minister, to build a mission on their land. The mission was a 30 ft , two room log cabin with an alley and shared fireplace. In 1853, a log schoolhouse was built here at the request of the Native Americans.
Something here about what happened afterwards, maybe use Dale Borders research to help flesh this out?
In 1972, Indian Landing was placed on the Michigan Historical Register in recognition of its first Native American inhabitants.
*Names listed as they appear on the title, spelling may vary.
Irving Delos Charlton
Historic Charlton Park began as one man's dream for preservation of the past. In 1936, Irving Delos Charlton (photo) donated 210 acres to Barry County for a museum and recreation facility for local residents. He named the place in honor of his parents, E. Frank and Roseanna (Althouse) Charlton. Historic Charlton Park is a governmental non-profit institution. [Above photo: Baseball game at Historic Charlton Park looking towards the Museum, c. 1952-1963.]
Timeline of Irving Charlton's Life
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