Before European pioneers came to the Marshall area, it was inhabited by Native Americans, mainly from the Potawatomi tribe. There they hunted, raised crops such as corn, plus cultivated white cedar, sage, sweetgrass, tobacco, and native wild rice along the waterways. In 1821, Potawatomi Chiefs gathered to sign the Treaty of Chicago, ceding much land to the U.S. government, including southern Michigan.
As more European settlers moved into the Marshall area, they used the power of the river to build mills that produced flour and wood. With the Kalamazoo River and its tributaries, plus native hardwoods such as white and burr oaks, the area was rich in natural resources. Marshall was a major stop on the stagecoach route and then the switching center for the powerful Michigan Center Railroad, and grew quickly through the Civil War era.
Today Marshall is well known for its beautiful historic buildings and homes, including one of the nation’s largest architecturally significant National Historic Landmark Districts. The Landmark has over 850 buildings, including the world-famous Honolulu House. It is the County Seat of Calhoun County and offers several parks, both in town and along the Kalamazoo River waterways.
An early timeline, up to the early 2000s, traces some of the major developments of Marshall that forged the thriving community it has become today.
1830s
In 1830, Marshall was founded by Sidney Ketchum, a land surveyor from Clinton County, New York. Marshall is named for the admired sitting U.S. Chief Justice John Marshall. The town was a front runner to become the capital of Michigan but ended up losing to Lansing in 1847.
In 1835, two Marshall citizens, Rev. John D. Pierce, and lawyer Isaac E. Crary created the Michigan school system. Their method and format were later adopted by all the states in the old Northwest Territory.
In 1839, the “Governor’s Mansion” was built, in hopes that it would be the governor’s home if Marshall became the capital of Michigan.
In 1839, Oakridge Cemetery was developed and is currently the second-oldest operating cemetery in Michigan.
1840s
Marshall played a role in the underground railroad and the establishment of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.
In 1843, Adam Crosswhite, his wife Sarah, and their four children ran away from their slaveholder in Kentucky and escaped to Marshall, settling there.
In 1846, a coalition of slave owners went to Marshall in an attempt to bring the Crosswhite family back to Kentucky. However, many residents of Marshall surrounded the Crosswhite home and wouldn’t let the slave catcher take the family. The Crosswhites were hidden, then secretly boarded a train in Jackson to Detroit, where they then crossed into Canada. After the Civil War, the Crosswhite’s returned to Marshall. Adam Crosswhite is buried in Oakridge Cemetery in Marshall.
In 1848, the Calhoun County Fair became an annual event. This is known as the oldest fair in the state of Michigan and one of the oldest in the United States held even during the years of the Great Depression and during World War II.
1850s
Marshall became the switching center for young Michigan Central Railroad, which kept it a booming and growing community during the Civil War era.
1860s
In 1860, the famous Honolulu House was built by Abner Pratt. Pratt was chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court from 1853-1857, and United States Council to Hawaii (1857-1859) under President James Buchanan. Because he loved his time in Hawaii, once back in Marshall, he built this house in the style of the home he had in the tropics. This fascinating house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is also the headquarters of the Marshall Historical Society.
In 1863, the first railroad labor union was established in Marshall first called the Brotherhood of the Footboard, later renamed the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
1870s
In 1872, Jeremiah Cronin built the Cronin House on North Madison Street. This house would provide local author John Bellairs the setting for his novel The House With a Clock in Its Walls.
In 1872, the rail yards were moved to Jackson, which slowed down economic activity in Marshall.
1890s
In 1893, the Marshall Power Plant was constructed. It originally contained two waterwheel generators and two streetlight arc machines.
In 1899, the Common Council of Marshall granted a franchise for the construction of an electric railroad over and upon the streets of the city. The road would extend from Battle Creek to Jackson, a distance of forty-seven miles. The system later extended from Kalamazoo to Detroit where it made
connections with other lines.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Marshall was home to more than 50 patent medicine companies, some selling legitimate medicines, some less so. Patent medicines in that time were, for the most part, trademarked medicines, but not officially patented. They were sold over the counter, often without a list of ingredients, and were aimed at curing a wide range of ailments.
1900-1910
In 1902, the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Hall was built as a meeting place for Union veterans of the Civil War.
In 1903, the Electric Railway Company ran its first car from Marshall to Battle Creek. The interurban ran regularly between Albion, Marshall, and Battle Creek.
In 1906, the Pure Food and Drug Act ended the flourishing patent medicine industry in Marshall, with its regulations. However, many of the beautiful historic homes in Marshall were built with money earned from the patent medicine industry.
In 1909, Albert Schuler opened a restaurant and cigar store in Marshall. Eventually, this would become the famous Schuler’s Restaurant, well-known throughout the Midwest for its delicious food, and still in operation today.
1910-1920
In 1912, Harold C. Brooks took control of Brooks Rupture An appliance from his father. This company produced products to help people suffering from hernias and other similar problems. Brooks became the town patron and later the mayor, responsible for saving more than 12 historic buildings including Marshall’s City Hall and Honolulu House.
1920s
In 1921, the Brooks Memorial Methodist Church was built, a place not only for worship but also a place where people could meet and hold business meetings.
From 1925 to 1931, Harold Brooks served as mayor for Marshall, intent on preserving its historical aspects and beautifying its outdoor spaces.
In 1928, the last interurban car ran through Marshall. Operation of the passenger service on the Jackson-Kalamazoo branch of the electric railway was discontinued in 1928.
1930s
In 1930, during Marshall’s Centennial Celebration, Harold C. Brooks presented the city with a unique fountain in memory of his father C. E. Brooks, known as the Brooks Memorial Fountain. Located at the intersection of Michigan and Kalamazoo Avenues, this is a beautiful fountain built in the Greek Revival style and it features a color light show in the evenings.
In 1938, local author John Bellairs was born. He is famous for the novel The House With a Clock in Its Walls, which was later made into a movie.
1940s
In 1948, at the close of World War II, the Calhoun County Fair held its centennial celebration.
1950s
In 1957, the first home tour was held in Marshall. It began as a kitchen tour, including the kitchen of Win Schuler. The Marshall Historic Home Tour is now considered the longest, continually operating home tour in the Great Lakes region.
1960s
In 1961, the Marshall Historical Society was organized, to preserve and promote Marshall’s rich heritage.
In 1967, the Marshall Historical Society took over the organization of the Marshall Historic Home Tour.
1970s
In 1971, the Marshall Civic Foundation was formed to purchase the Brooks Methodist Church Memorial Building. They changed the name to the Marshall Civic Center. The facility was eventually sold to the City of Marshall and housed the Marshall Recreation Department and the Marshall Civic Players.
In 1976, the community restored the Brooks Memorial Fountain as an American Bicentennial project.
In 1978, the American Museum of Magic was founded, containing the largest collection of magic artifacts on display anywhere in the U.S. Located in downtown Marshall, this the museum is still in operation today.
1980s
In 1987, Schuler’s Restaurant received Restaurant Business’ “Top 100 Award” and was rated three diamonds by AAA.
1990s
In 1997, Dark Horse Brewery was founded in Marshall, contributing to the city’s reputation as a destination for history buffs and foodies.
2000s
In 2000, the MCCT (Marshall Civic Center Trust) was founded as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization whose mission is to preserve, renovate, and maintain the Civic Center for the cultural, civic and social enrichment of the City of Marshall and surrounding communities.
In 2012, according to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, the Enbridge oil spill in the Kalamazoo River near Marshall was the costliest onshore cleanup in U.S. history.
In 2016, the renovation project for the Franke Center for the Arts (formerly known as the Civic Center) was completed. This center celebrates creativity, a gathering place for artists and the community.
In 2018, The House With a Clock in Its Walls by local author John Bellairs was made into a movie.
Marshall is a charming community with much to offer. With the beautiful historic district, several museums, unique shops, and distinctive restaurants, it is a great place for both residents and visitors alike. From the Historic Home Tour to Schuler’s Restaurant to the oldest county fair in the state, it is no surprise that Marshall was voted one of the 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in Michigan.
Sources:
https://choosemarshall.com/about-marshall/history/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall,_Michigan
https://www.marshallmich.com/history/HonoluluHouse.shtml
https://schulersrestaurant.com/about/history/
https://www.nationalhouseinn.com/historic-marshall
https://promotemichigan.com/marshalls-historic-home-tourstarted-schulers-home-kitchen