This 'damsel in distress' desperately needs some TLC, and co-incidentally enough is in the process (as of December, 2007) of being purchased by a group experienced in architectural restoration, so there may be help for her yet. There is real potential here, however, there is also a lot of work that needs to be done to preserve and restore this diamond in the rough. Stay tuned for developments as they say!
Tags: hotel, history, mi, williamston, remuddling, architectural preservation
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"Larger than life" is the phrase that leaps to mind, and the best part of this is that this sort of achievement ran in his family. His father, Samuel, founded a Village in Central Michigan, after moving from New York to the 'wilderness' of Michigan in the mid 1800s. His older brother, John, helped found and was the first Lieutenant Governor of the State of Nevada, also served as Mayor of Williamston, served on as a Michigan Legislative Representative, and in addition to running his own dry-goods store was the Postmaster of Williamston for over 15 years.
The man in question is Daniel L Crossman, (1836-1901). Mr. Crossman was born in upstate New York, but moved to central Michigan as an infant with his parents. He made a mark on the community still visible over 100 years after his death. (See for example, the National Block Hotel.)
This site is the location of the home he built, and lived in with his wife, daughter, and for a time when they were first married, his new son-in-law (who later became one of Michigan's most active Medical examiners, a trained Medical Doctor, and trusted physician -- 'slacker' was not a word this family knew apparently!). Today this location is a park and playground, adjacent to the Community Center which was recently purchased by the City from the Schools for renovation as a new City Hall. Plans are to eventually add an historic plaque similar to the one that exists by the river downtown to tell a little more about Mr. Crossman, and his accomplishments, and how they helped advance Williamston.
For now, you have a 'sneak peak' at some of what will be on that history kiosk. The photos are an engraving of the home that stood here that appeared in the Williamston Enterprise newspaper in the 1891 'community commemorative' issue, and a portrait of Mr Crossman which appeared in the Lansing Journal in 1901 with his obituary, both of which are used with permission.
Check out what is was here while you enjoy what is here, and if you have questions, please email mayor@williamston-mi.us! Enjoy your stay in the best little town in Michigan!
Tags: history, muesum, williamston michigan mi, interpretive kiosk
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Beginning in the 1850s, Williamston Catholics worshipped with visiting priests. They often traveled ten miles by carriage or horseback on rutted, muddy roads to St. Patrick Church in Woodhull (present-day Shaftsburg) to worship.
In 1866 two brothers, Jerome and James Waldo (who were also instrumental in building the National Block Hotel, q.v.), entered into a contract with Detroit Bishop Peter Paul Lefevre, stipulating that they would sell a plot of land in the village of Williamston to the diocese for twenty-five cents, provided that a church worth at least one thousand dollars was built within three years. During the winter of 1868 - 69, Owen Brannan and Peter Zimmer cut and hauled timber to construct the first of three Catholic churches on this site. And in 1869 a frame church costing eleven hundred dollars was completed on this site and named Saint Mary. Saint Mary Church became a parish in 1879, upon the arrival of the first resident pastor, Father John Lovett.
From 1889 to 1898, despite its growing membership, the parish did not have a full-time priest and it became a mission. In 1895 the original wooden church burned. A larger, brick, Neo-Gothic building was erected the same year. (see photo) Under the leadership of Father John J. Connolly, who served from 1898 to 1905, Saint Mary regained parish status. It comprised the church: a cemetery, founded in 1873: and a new rectory, erected in 1902. In the 1920s and 1930, community activist and priest, Father Francis McCormick was the pastor of this parish, and he has left a lasting impression on the community, not only for his pastoral work, but also because he organized and spearheaded the reclamation of the city dump on the riverfront adjacent to the church, and helped turn it into the park which bears his name today.
In 1948 a parish hall was built and in 1956 a convent was established for the sisters of Saint Joseph who staffed the school that opened in 1959, and continues as a K-6 school today (although the nuns are gone).
The present church was built, and the gorgeous Gothic church razed in 1985, however, the old bells were preserved, and remain on the site and in use today.
Descendants of St. Mary's founding families continue to worship here.