Williamston is a charming small city just a few minutes east of Lansing. The Red Cedar River flows through this community that is known for its Victorian architecture, antique shops, unique restaurants, and well-kept neighborhoods. While it is an easy commute to Lansing and Michigan State University, Williamston offers residents the peaceful atmosphere of a smaller community, with top-rated schools and natural beauty.
The area that would become Williamston was originally inhabited by Native Americans, a small group of the Tawas band of the Chippewa people. They used the land as a summer home, where they planted crops, hunted and fished, gathered with related bands of the tribe, and buried their loved ones. One of the most famous of these Native Americans was Chief Okemos.
In the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819, the United States government negotiated with prominent Native American chiefs, resulting in the U.S. government taking possession of most of the land in lower Michigan. In the 1830s and 1840s, early pioneers began to purchase the land that would eventually become Williamston and the surrounding areas. An early timeline, up to the 2000s, traces some of the major developments of Williamston that forged the thriving city it has become today.
1830s
In 1834, Hiram and Joseph Putnam cut a trail through the dense forest between what is now the Stockbridge area and the Red Cedar River. This path eventually became a paved road known as Williamston Road, though within the Williamston city limits, its name is Putnam Street, in honor of the Putnam brothers. The two settlers began farming a 15-acre plot on the north bank of the river and built a log cabin as well. After one season of unsuccessful farming, the Putnam brothers returned to Jackson.
In 1839, Hiram and Joseph Putnam sold their land to three brothers from Batavia, New York: Oswald B., James M., and Horace B. Williams. James M. (often referred to as Miles) built a dam and a sawmill.
1840s
In 1842, the Williams brothers built a grist mill known as the Red Cedar Mill. The millstone was brought from Detroit by wagon. Until that time the nearest mill was in Dexter.
In 1845, James (“Miles”) platted the land for the settlement of Williamston. He named the settlement “Williamstown” after himself. At some point, the name lost the “w” and became Williamston, though it is not known exactly when this happened.
In 1847, the State Capital moved from Detroit to Lansing, influencing the Williamston area in a more modern direction and putting less emphasis on its agricultural roots. Williamston became a popular stop along the Grand River Trail from Detroit to Lansing. At this time, the journey took more than a day, and Williamston was a convenient overnight stop where travelers could get a meal, a room, and entertainment.
1850s
In 1852, the Grand River Trail, between Detroit and Lansing, became a plank road.
In 1852, the Lombard House hotel was constructed. It mainly served travelers going between Detroit and Lansing and went through a series of ownership changes and name changes.
1860s
In 1863, the Branch School was built. This building was a one-room schoolhouse for 99 years. This school was also known as the Little Africa school because so many of the people living in the area were abolitionists. In fact, legend has it that a home in this area was part of the Underground Railroad, secretly giving refuge to escaped slaves at that time.
In 1868, the First Baptist Church, the oldest church in town, was built. This building was used as a church until 1970.
1870s
In 1871, Williamston was incorporated as a village.
In 1871, the railroad came to Williamston, making the trip between Lansing and Detroit a few hours instead of two days on a stagecoach. A depot was built on the north side of the tracks, near the end of Cedar Street.
In 1873, the village’s first newspaper, the Williamston Enterprise, began.
In 1874, Williamston Community Schools began as a two-story building in the center of town.
1880s
In 1886, the train depot caught on fire. Though the depot was destroyed, the adjacent freight building and longhouse were saved from the fire.
In 1887, a new depot was built, though the local residents did not feel it was as nice as the previous depot.
In 1887, St. Katherine’s Episcopal Chapel was built by John Harris Forster in memory of his daughter Kitty, who died at the age of six. This small, wooden gabled Carpenter Gothic building later became registered as a Michigan State Historic Site and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1887, Charles Andrews built a new hotel on the site of the Lombard House, called the Andrews Hotel.
In the 1880s, the Williamston State Bank was established.
1890s
In 1890, the Williamston Town Hall was built. Hiram E. Higbee, (1843 – 1908) was the architect and builder of this historic building. It was originally used as a GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) post.
In 1892, the second train depot was destroyed by fire.
In 1893, the third train depot was completed and was held in high regard by the residents of the community.
In 1896, the Williamston United Methodist Church was built at a cost of approximately $8,000.
1900s
In the early 1900s, Sam and Mary Engardio, immigrants from Sicily, owned and operated a store that sold fruit, confections, beer, and wine. They had eight children, two girls, and six boys. All six of their sons would go on to serve in World War II, and all six came home.
1910s
In 1916, a Civil War monument was built in front of City Hall, made of gray granite and depicting a Union soldier at parade rest.
In 1919, lightning struck the bell tower of the United Methodist Church. The bell tower was replaced, but it is much less elaborate than the original.
1920s
In 1925, the last Civil War veteran in the local GAR post died, and city offices moved to the City Hall.
In the 1920s, the Wood Building was erected as an automobile repair shop.
1930s
In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, the Williamston State Bank went under, and the building was bought by the Wygant family. The building became Wygant Butcher Shop and produced the well-known Williamston Bologna.
In the 1930s, the Wood Building was converted to a Ford Dealership and garage that lasted until 1953.
1940s
In 1945, Williamston was incorporated as a city.
In 1947, the Sun Theater was built by the Montgomery family.
1960s
In the 1960s, Wygant Butcher shop closed down.
In 1963, passenger service ceased at the Williamston train depot. Freight service continued for a few more years.
In 1969, St. Katherine’s Chapel was designated a Michigan State Historic Site.
1970s
In 1970, St. Katherine’s Chapel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1979, the train depot was moved from its railroad site to 369 West Grand River Avenue. For the next few years, various fundraising efforts and volunteer hours made it possible to restore the depot, improve the grounds, and create a museum.
In 1979, Russ and Carol Robitaille bought the Sun Theater, which had become dilapidated and abandoned and was in need of much repair.
1980s
In 1980, the renovated Sun Theater opened to the public, as a charming one-screen movie theater.
1990s
In 1990, Gregory Wygant of the Sygant Butcher Shop died, and with him died the famous recipe for Williamston Bologna.
2000s
In 2001, Dan and Lisa Robitaille bought the Sun theater, which had become an iconic figure in Williamston and is still operational today.
In 2003, the Williamston Area Beautification Fund was established, aimed at addressing the charitable needs of the Greater Williamston community, including the advancement of education, cultural and humanitarian interests; enhancement of the arts and humanities; beautification of grounds, parks, and facilities; and environmental issues.
In 2006, the Williamston Theater opened its first full production, Additional Particulars, a comedy by Ed Simpson.
2010s
In 2010, the restoration of the Branch School was completed. It is now a historically accurate museum, modeling a schoolhouse from 1922.
In 2014, the surviving two of the six Engardio brothers who served in World War II returned to Williamston to serve as the Grand Marshals of the Red Cedar Jubilee parade. Frank Engardio, 95, came from California, and Andrew, 91, came from Adrian, Michigan.
In 2015, the Friends of Williamston Parks was formed, with the support of the Williamston Area Beautification Fund. This is a volunteer community group working to enhance the quality of life of Williamston area residents by funding, planning, and implementing local park improvement efforts. One of their projects was the renovation of the wooden play structure at McCormick Park.
Williamston Today
The city of Williamston offers a high quality of life, with a thriving downtown, an excellent school system, and beautiful parks. It is known for its antique shops, independent theaters, excellent restaurants, and Victorian architecture. With its close proximity to Lansing and Michigan State University, Williamston residents have easy access to the opportunities of a big city and university, yet they also enjoy all the advantages of a charming small community. It’s easy to see why Williamston is one of the most desirable places to live in Ingham County.
Sources:
http://new.williamston-mi.us/Portals/47/BriefHistoryofWilliamston.pdf
https://www.williamstonmuseum.org/williamston-area-history.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamston,_Michigan
http://www.migenweb.org/ingham/Williamstown.html
https://99wfmk.com/williamston-michigan/
https://www.williamstonmuseum.org/williamston-depot-history.html
https://educationmuseum.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/branch-schooldistrict-4/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Katherine’s_Chapel
https://www.williamstonmuseum.org/past-exhibits-and-events.html
https://www.williamstonsun.com/
http://new.williamston-mi.us/Portals/47/SDOC0050.pdf