General Land Office (White Pigeon, Michigan)

General Land Office Building

The Old Land Office Building
Location 113 West Chicago Road (US-12)
White Pigeon, MI
Coordinates 41°47′53.73″N 85°38′38.31″W / 41.7982583°N 85.6439750°W / 41.7982583; -85.6439750Coordinates: 41°47′53.73″N 85°38′38.31″W / 41.7982583°N 85.6439750°W / 41.7982583; -85.6439750
Area 0.1 acres (0.040 ha)
Built 1830
Architect Unknown
Architectural style Greek Revival
NRHP Reference # 88003234
Significant dates
Added to NRHP February 7, 1989
Designated MSHS April 10, 1986

The building is the oldest surviving land office in Michigan.[1] designated a Recorded Michigan Historic Landmark. The United States land offices were the federal government agency that primary responsibility for the sale and of public land to individual purchasers. Michigan first Land office was established in Detroit, MI in 1804. The US Land office in White Pigeon, MI was the third office to open in Michigan.,[2][3]

The White Piegon land office was located on the Chicago Road (Sauk Trail), this linked Chicago, IL and Detroit, MI. The first settler in Kent County, Michigan to buy land from the office was issued to Louis Campau for land in in Octoaber of 1833.[4]

The U.S. started issuing land in Michigan after the Treaty of Chicago was signed in 1821 where the Potawatomi and other tribes turned over their land. The White Pigeon land office operated for about 4 years from 1831-1834. During that time over a quarter million acres of land were sold from this office at a rate of $1.25 per acre.[5]

In 1989 the land office was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 7, 1989.[6]

This White Pigeon land office is the oldest building in Southwest, Michigan andone of the oldest in the state.[7]

Design

The land office was built in the Greek Revival architectural style, the Architect is unknown. It located in Downtwon, White Pigeon.

Aerial photo of front of the Old US Government Land Office Building

References

  1. Michigan Markers
  2. "Michigan State Land Office Board records: 1816-1924". Bentley Historical Library. University of Michigan. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  3. "The White Pigeon Land Office". Michigan.org. Pure Michigan. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  4. "The Land Office". historygrandrapids.org. History of Grand Rapids. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  5. "Michigan Markers". michmarkers.com. The Michigan Historical Marker Web Site. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  6. , National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  7. "Michigan Markers". michbar.org. The State Bar of Michigan. Retrieved 21 September 2016.

External links

Template:National Register of Historic Places in White Pigeon, Michigan

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