Charlotte has some of the most highly-regarded historical buildings in Michigan. As the county seat of Eaton County, Charlotte is home to three different courthouse buildings. In fact, Eaton County is the only county in Michigan to have three courthouses currently still standing. The city has a total area of 6.5 square miles. The Battle Creek river flows through the south part of the city, and the Thornapple Watershed is part of the north side of the city.
Native Americans are the first officially recognized inhabitants of the beautiful flowering prairie region that would eventually become the city of Charlotte. The small groups of Native Americans in the region were from the Potawatomi, Chippewa and Ottawa tribes. 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. However, many native Americans still lived in small groups throughout the Eaton County area in the early to mid 1800s. They hunted deer and bear, cultivated corn, pumpkins, and collected berries. As European settlers began to make their way to this area in the 1800s, the Native Americans and the pioneers lived mainly peacefully together for some time. As the number of European settlers increased, in combination with government policies of Andrew Jackson, the Native Americans were pushed from the Eaton County area to west of the Mississippi River.
In 1832, a land speculator named Charles Barnes purchased land from the U.S. Government that would become the city of Charlotte. The land ownership changed hands a couple more times, and the area began to evolve into the historic city it is today. An early timeline, up to the early 2000s, traces some of the major developments of Charlotte that forged this historic county seat.
1830s
Land speculator Charles Barnes purchased the land that would become the city of Charlotte from the U.S. Government in 1832.
In 1835, Charles Barnes sold the land to New York City speculator Edmond Bostwick, who then sold portions to H.I. Lawrence, Townsend Harris, and Francis Cochran, who created a village they named after Bostwick’s wife, Charlotte.
Charlotte was designated as the Eaton County Seat when that county was organized in 1837.
In 1838, Jonathan Searles became the first postmaster general.
1840s
Charlotte’s first courthouse, finished in 1845, was a wooden building that measured 42 feet by 24 feet.
1850s
Musgrave & Haslett became dry goods merchants in 1854, followed by F. W. & P. M. Higby in the same business in 1858.
1860s
Charlotte was incorporated as a village on October 10, 1863.
Railroads played an important role in the development of Charlotte. The Grand River Valley Railroad was built in 1868.
1870s
In 1870, the Peninsular Railroad was constructed. Charlotte was reincorporated as a city on March 29, 1871.
1880s
Because of the growing population, the small courthouse built in 1845 became insufficient. In 1883, construction began on what is now one of the most well-known historical courthouses in Michigan. This impressive building was finished in 1885 and still stands today. In fact, this building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Grand Trunk Railroad Depot was built in 1885. This was a busy station, since the Grand Trunk Railroad connected with Chicago and Lansing.
1890s
In order to keep the courthouse in such good condition, it has seen its share of restoration and repair, and has stories associated with this. One story from many years ago is about how the courthouse caught on fire. On July 4, 1894, painters were working on the courthouse, using a lamp to burn off the old paint. That afternoon the courthouse caught on fire, and the flames spread rapidly. The dome, tower clock, and bell all came down. The Statue of Justice that stood on top of the bell tower, is said to have gone crashing to the basement.
Fortunately, no occupants were injured, and because the important documents were stored in vaults, none were damaged. Business went on as usual with a temporary roof, until the citizens of Charlotte raised enough money to fund a new bell, clock, and statue, and restore the building to its former state.
1900-10
Charlotte was home to early industry and two historical companies stand out. One such industry is Dolson’s Automotive Company. The Dolsons started out as successful wagon builders in the late nineteenth century. As they transitioned with the times, the company built its first automobile in 1902 and began production in 1904. These cars were regarded highly, not only for their fine mechanics, but also for their early adoption of galvanized steel and copper sheet panel bodywork over the wood frameworks. Unfortunately, soon after they acquired the St. Anne Kerosine Motor Company, the company ran out of capital and was liquidated in 1908. In its time, the Dolson Model F was known for its power and durability.
The Charlotte Sanitarium was incorporated in 1900 by Dr. W. E. Newark, which featured other forms of treatment for patients. Examples of the treatments offered there were The Electric Light Bath, the Vapor Bath, and the Mineral Bath. In 1905 Dr. Newark added on a gymnasium and a swimming pool. The sanitarium was also a school for nurses.
1910s
Another notable early business was the Charlotte Chair Company, started in 1912 by E.J. Elles and Frank Spaulding. This company was known for the strength of its dining room chairs.
In 1919, the Charlotte Casket Company began, selling oak and walnut caskets.
1920s
In 1926, the Charlotte Casket Company closed its doors.
1930s
The Eaton Theatre opened in 1930 during the Art Deco era. At that time it had only a single screen.
In 1930, the Charlotte Chair Company acquired the old Dolson/duplex Truck factory, and began using oak wood.
1940s
During World War II, raw materials were hard to come by, but the Charlotte Chair Company survived by making wood items for the military.
1950s
After World War II, the Charlotte Chair Company began to do more commercial work, including furniture for businesses like restaurants, offices, and even the Chicago Civic Center.
By 1956, the Charlotte Chair Company shifted its focus from building new chairs for businesses to repairing and reproducing antique chairs. They began by restoring many chairs for the State House in Springfield, Illinois.
1960s
In 1969, the Charlotte Chair Company was sold to a conglomerate, which was then sold to another company.
The Eaton Theatre closed for a while in 1960, and was remodeled and modernized by Beechler theaters, when a second screen was put in. Eaton Theatre is still in operation today.
1970s
In September, 1971, the first annual Frontier Days took place, including a parade, rodeo, arts & crafts show, and a queen’s contest. Frontier Days is a celebration that continues to this day, though this year (2020) it was temporarily cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 1975, Spartan Motors, based in Charlotte, started in business. This is an automobile design company that designs, engineers and manufactures specialty chassis, specialty vehicles, truck bodies and aftermarket parts for the recreational vehicle (RV), emergency response, government services, defense, and delivery and service markets.
On July 4th, 1976, the newest and current Charlotte courthouse was dedicated. More modern in its architecture, this new building was designed to include sixteen county offices and departments, encompassing 87,700 square feet of office and storage space.
1980s
The Grand Trunk Railroad Depot closed.
2000-2010
To accommodate the demand for live performances, the Charlotte Performing Arts Center was opened in 2004 and it holds 825 seats. The auditorium features an orchestra pit, high-quality acoustical engineering, a high-capacity electrical system, and cushioned stage floor. This venue attracts nationally known events, as well as many hometown events.
2010s
In 2014, contractor Daniel LaPoint Jr. and his neighbor Eric Witzke discovered mastodon bones while digging in Witzke’s yard. The fossils include leg, shoulder, hip bones, multiple ribs, the base of a tusk, and bits of vertebrae. Before donating the bones to the University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology, the neighbors took them to Olivet College, where a group of lucky middle school students got the chance-of-a-lifetime to handle these ancient fossils.
Charlotte Today
Charlotte is a charming community, full of historical buildings, restaurants, and shops. In addition to beautiful historic buildings, Charlotte has natural beauty and is home to several parks including Bennett Park, Dean Park, Gateway Park, Lincoln Park, Oak Park, Snell Park, Southridge Park, and even a U.S. Veterans Memorial Park. These parks give visitors and residents plenty of space to enjoy nature with hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, and more.
Sources:
micharlotte.org/historical-sites/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte,_Michigan
michiganhistory.leadr.msu.edu/charlotte-michigan/
www.citytowninfo.com/places/michigan/charlotte
charlottemihistory.weebly.com/dolsons-automotive-company.html
genealogytrails.com/mich/eaton/historyeaton.html
www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2015/01/11/
bellevue-twp-neighbors-dig-mastodon-bones/21602639/
bellevuemi.net/Winders/Mastadon.aspx