Port Sanilac Masonic and Town Hall
20 N. Ridge St., Port Sanilac, MI Local significance of the building: Architecture; Social History; Politics/government
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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Michigan played a key role in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by slaves to escape to freedom in the 19th century. Detroit was an important hub for the movement, and Michigan was the first state in the Northwest Territory to outlaw slavery in 1837.
About Sanilac County
Sanilac County Timeline
Sanilac County, located in the southeastern part of the state of Michigan, has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi, Ottawa, and Chippewa peoples, who were later displaced as European settlers moved into the region.
The first European settlement in what is now Sanilac County occurred in 1822 when Joseph Campau established a trading post along the Black River. The county was officially established in 1822 and named after the Sanilac Indians, a branch of the Chippewa tribe. In the following years, more settlers arrived in the area, attracted primarily by the fertile soil and abundant natural resources.
Agriculture became the backbone of the local economy, with farmers cultivating crops like wheat, corn, potatoes, and sugar beets. The area experienced rapid growth in the mid-19th century, thanks to the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway in the 1850s. This railway linked Port Huron, located on Lake Huron, with Detroit, the state's largest city, and facilitated the transportation of goods and people in and out of the county.
Sanilac County played a significant role in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by escaped slaves to reach free states and Canada. Many abolitionists and sympathetic individuals in the area provided assistance to these fugitive slaves, helping them find shelter and safe passage. This legacy of activism and social justice remains an important part of the county's history.
Today, Sanilac County is home to a diverse population and continues to thrive economically through agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Visitors can explore the county's rich history through its numerous historical sites and museums, such as the Port Sanilac Lighthouse, Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park, and the Sanilac County Historic Village and Museum.
The first European settlement in what is now Sanilac County occurred in 1822 when Joseph Campau established a trading post along the Black River. The county was officially established in 1822 and named after the Sanilac Indians, a branch of the Chippewa tribe. In the following years, more settlers arrived in the area, attracted primarily by the fertile soil and abundant natural resources.
Agriculture became the backbone of the local economy, with farmers cultivating crops like wheat, corn, potatoes, and sugar beets. The area experienced rapid growth in the mid-19th century, thanks to the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway in the 1850s. This railway linked Port Huron, located on Lake Huron, with Detroit, the state's largest city, and facilitated the transportation of goods and people in and out of the county.
Sanilac County played a significant role in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by escaped slaves to reach free states and Canada. Many abolitionists and sympathetic individuals in the area provided assistance to these fugitive slaves, helping them find shelter and safe passage. This legacy of activism and social justice remains an important part of the county's history.
Today, Sanilac County is home to a diverse population and continues to thrive economically through agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Visitors can explore the county's rich history through its numerous historical sites and museums, such as the Port Sanilac Lighthouse, Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park, and the Sanilac County Historic Village and Museum.
Sanilac County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Sanilac County, Michigan.
- 1822: Sanilac County is established as a separate county in the Michigan Territory.
- 1837: Sanilac County becomes part of the newly formed state of Michigan.
- 1857: The county seat is established in the town of Sandusky.
- 1871: The first railroad reaches Sanilac County, improving transportation and enabling further development.
- 1881: Agriculture, particularly the dairy industry, becomes a major economic focus in the county.
- 1930s: The Great Depression hits Sanilac County, causing significant economic hardships in the region.
- 1950s: The construction of new roads and infrastructure leads to increased tourism in the county.
- 1980s: Sanilac County experiences a decline in population due to shifts in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
- 2000s: Efforts are made to diversify the county's economy and promote tourism, particularly with regards to its natural resources and outdoor recreation.