USA > Michigan > Gazetteer of the State of Michigan, in three parts with a succinct history of the State, from the earliest period to the present time with an appendix, containing the usual statistical tables, and a directory for emigrants, &c > Part 4
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Of the grains and field vegetables, Indian corn or maize, barley, oats, rye, wheat, buckwheat, pease, beans, turnips, potatoes, flax, hemp, &c. are produced in excellent crops.
As a general occurrence, oats may be said to be the hea- viest crop raised, but corn and wheat are scarcely inferior, and may challenge any other State for their superior in quantity or quality. Rye and barley are, as yet, not much raised. It may be remarked, what is, however, already well known, that crops, especially of corn, can be raised to perfection in the west, with often one half the labor and expense bestowed upon the same in the east, and particu- larly in New England. Hemp and flax have been but little cultivated, but from the admirable fitness of many of the soils, there is every reason to believe that they will be favorite articles of culture. The wild grasses and flowers have been before spoken of.
All the cultivated exotic grasses, as timothy, English clo- ver, &c. where introduced, succeed to admiration. The
4
38
GAZETTEER
MINERALS.
white clover is indigenous, or rather, it grows spontaneous- ly, as soon as the earth is the least cultivated.
Garden Vegetables. The great luxuriousness of all gar- den vines, leguminous plants, esculent roots, &c. is notori- ous. Pumpkins, squashes, cucumbers, watermelons, musk- melons, pease, beans, and pulse of all kinds ; onions, beets, carrots, radishes, cabbages, lettuce, tomatos, &c. grow in our gardens to a perfection and flavor, that adds, not a lit- tle, to the luxuries of the table. Of these the pumpkin often grows to a size, that if stated, might endanger the credulity of our eastern friends, at least, without occular demonstration of the fact. The light, deep, rich soils of the interior are especially favorable to onions, potatoes, tur- neps, beets, carrots, parsneps, &c. all, except the two former of which, penetrate to an astonishing depth, and are fre- quently of a mammoth size. The potatoe arrives to a superior excellence in every part of the State. Cabbages often have an exuberant growth. The tomato, (a fruit the most delicious, and above all, perfectly harmless, possess- ing likewise valuable medicinal qualities,) flourishes well, and, after once introduced, grows spontaneously, and to per- fection. Leeks, onions, &c. are found growing in a wild state upon the intervals.
MINERALS.
Since the minerals of any district are, to a considerable extent, found only agreeably to certain geological structure, it is to be observed of the Peninsula, that as far as examin- ations have extended, it seems to be exclusively of the sec- ondary formation. The Upper Peninsula, bordering Lake Superior, is primitive ; the southern part, bordering Lake Michigan and Green Bay, secondary. Primitive boulders or " lost rocks," are discoverable in every part of the State, especially upon the coasts and upon the margin, or in the beds of the rivers. These are found of enormous dimen- sions on the coast of Huron, especially north of Saginaw Bay. Here granite boulders exist, from one to one hundred tons weight or more. These are not satisfactorily account- ed for.
39
OF MICHIGAN.
MINERALS.
" Michigan bears evident marks of once being partially or entirely inundated ; it is skirted by a belt of heavily timbered land, about twenty-five miles deep, surrounding the entire lake coast, which lies several feet below the adjoining plains and openings. It seems once to have been the bed of the lakes, long after the waters receded from the plains and burst their barriers through the Gulf of St. Lawrence .*
The Peninsula is of the same geological formation as western New York, its rocks consisting of mostly horizon- tal strata of limestones, sandstones, and shales ; the lime- stone being generally found in the beds of the rivers near the lakes, and the sandstones in the interior." The soil covering these strata is either alluvial or diluvial, having a depth varying from one to 150 feet.
The upper sandstone occupies the central and more ele- vated portions of the Peninsula, and discovers itself often immediately under the surface of the soil. Its thickness and general inclination are uncertain. Quarries of this stone have been opened near Jonesville, Jackson, Napole- on, Battle Creek, Marshall, and at several other points. It generally admits of being easily quarried, furnishing a good building material, and is frequently used for grindstones. It is also seen in the bed of the Grand River, in the counties of Jackson, Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, and Ionia. It has been noticed near Corunna, Shiawassee town, and at other places.
The stratum underlaying the sandstone is a gray colored limestone, and found on the borders of the Peninsula. It has been traced from the rapids of the Maumee, in Ohio, to the Charity Islands of Saginaw Bay, and has been noticed at the river Raisin, the bed of which it forms at several places ; at Stony Point, and numerous other points along this part of the coast of Lake Erie; at Gibralter, Mon- guagon, the western part of St. Clair county ; portions of the counties of Oakland, Lapeer, Shiawassee, and Mid- land.
" Associated with the rock, we find calcareous spar at nearly all the localities noted ; irregular hog-tooth spar at Monroe ; Sulphate of Strontian at Brest, and Grosse Isle ; tremolite at Brest ; sulphate of barytes, brown spar, and
Vide article Rivers and Lakes.
40
GAZETTEER
MINERALS.
gypsum at Grand rapids, and the latter will, undoubtedly, be found associated at the rapids of Maskegon." "The limestone is, for the most part, of a subgranular structure, quite compact, and well adapted to agricultural purposes ; and although at many points it is capable of producing a valuable lime upon burning, it is not unfrequently too sili- cious to answer that purpose."*
It is manufactured into lime and building stone at Monguagon, for the supply of the city of Detroit. It is likewise extensively used for both purposes in the vicinity of Monroe. Limestone, furnishing a good quality of lime, is manufactured in the south-west part of Eaton and Cass, and a few miles north of the village of Jackson. Large quantities of bog lime are found in Hillsdale.
Beneath the gray limestone formation, the graywacke or lower sandstone stratum is supposed to exist. This is no- ticed on the Lake Huron shore, on the St. Mary's strait, at the Pictured Rocks, and at various other points in the Up- per Peninsula.
Gypsum, or plaster of Paris is found on Gypsum creek, in Kent county, on St. Martin's Island in Lake Huron, and on the south-western shore of Saginaw Bay. It is ap- parently abundant in the former locality.
Indications of bituminous coal are found in all those counties, where the superior stratum or carboniferous lime- stone formation was said to exist, and upon the shores of some of the lakes and rivers. The indications are more distinct in Shiawassee, Eaton, Ingham, and Jackson. A bed of coal from eighteen inches to two feet thick, has been discovered on Grindstone creek in Eaton county.
Marl exists in abundance in Ottawa, St. Joseph, Jack- son, Lenawee, Monroe, and other parts of the State, com- posed of deposites of recent shells, and when submitted to the process of calcination has been found to produce lime of a superior quality. It is likewise an excellent manure for lands, when judiciously applied.
Deposites of marly clay are quite common. A superior bed occurs in the county of Macomb, near the Middle branch of the Clinton. It exists also near Ann Arbour, and pottery is manufactured from it with success.
* Rep. of State Geologist to the Legislature, 1838.
41
OF MICHIGAN.
. MINERALS .- SALINES.
The sand composing the downs that border the Lake Michigan shore is said to be of a quality, in some instances fitted for the manufacture of glass. The best bed of sand for this purpose, yet discovered, occurs in considerable quantities, near Monroe. It is composed of small, snowy white, angular grains of pure quartz, which proceeded from the disintegration of a silicious lime rock.
The Upper Peninsula presents many external evidences of the existence of the metallic ores. Large masses of na- tive copper have been found on some of the larger rivers.
The large quantities of iron sand upon the coast of Su- perior, and the iron pyrites and specimens of lead ore found upon the banks of the rivers, presuppose the more exten- sive existence of those metals. Iron ore has been discov- ered in Hillsdale and Berrien, in the south-eastern part of Livingston and southern part of Branch county. It is said an abundance of bog iron exists in the south-western part of Cass. It is found in the county of Wayne, Ottawa, and in many other parts of the State. There is an extensive bed near the village of Kalamazoo; three specimens of which being subjected to analysis by Dr. Houghton, gave a mean result of 78.45 grains protoxyd of iron to 21.55 ex- traneous matter.
Salines. Salt springs have been known to exist in differ- ent parts of the State, from its earliest history ; but no sci- entific test of their value, or successful efforts to improve them, have been realized. Attempts have been made, and abandoned, through insufficiency of means or want of skill in conducting operations. But a new era is commencing, and their value and importance becoming known.
The saline district is reported by the State geologist to lie mostly north of " a line drawn from Monroe to Grand- ville, and although there are several indications in Wayne county, if the eastern point were removed to Mt. Clemens, the country north of that line would embrace all of much, or in fact, of any consequence, with the exception of those on the Saline river, in Washtenaw." These are described as occurring in five distinct groupes. First, those on Grand river, town six north; second, those on Maple river, towns eight and nine north; third, those on the Tittibawassee, town fifteen north; fourth, those of Macomb county, town three north; fifth, those of Saline river, Washtenaw, town 4*
42
GAZETTEER
MINERALS .- SPRINGS.
four south." Brine springs occur in the north, as on the Cheboiegon and also on the south coast of Upper Michi- gan. The Grand, Tittibawassee, and their tributaries, fur- nish upon their borders the most numerous indications; and from the limited examinations already made, very desirable results are in anticipation.
The table presented below, exhibits the result of the analysis of the several salines indicated. It is taken from the able report of the State geologist to the Legislature.
It is to be observed that this analysis was made mostly under very unfavorable circumstances, the springs being often located in low grounds and marshes, and the water taken for experiment at the time, or soon after, heavy rains.
Location of the Springs, S.c.
No. 1, is located on the Tittibawassee, 80 rods below Salt river, Midland county, Township 15 North, Range 1 West, section 25, owned by the State; temperature of the spring 47º Fahrenheit.
No. 2-Tittibawassee river, half mile above Salt river, Mid- land co., T. 15 N., R. 1 W., sec. 24, owned by the State. Temp. of the spring 47º.
No. 3-mouth of Salt river, Midland co., T. 15 N., R. 1 W., sec. 25, owned by State. Temp. 50°.
No. 4-Kent co., 3 m. below G. Rapids, T. 6 N., R. 12 W., sec. 3. owned by State. Temp. 48°.
No. 5-the same location, &c., but temp. 52°.
No. 6-the same location, &c., but temp. 48°.
No. 7-near Grand Rapids, otherwise the same. No. 8-the same.
No. 9-Kent co., near G. Rapids, T. 6 N., R. 12 W., sec. 10, private property. Temp. 51°.
No. 10-Kent co., G. Rapids, T. 6 N., R. 12 W. on N. side Grand river, owned by State. Temp. 50°.
No. 11-Gratiot co., source navigation of the Maple, N. side, T. 9 N., R. 2 W., sec. 26, private property. Tem- perature 51°.
No. 12-Gratiot co. source nav. Maple river, S. side, T. 9 N., R. 2 W., sec. 27, private property.
No. 13-Clinton co., Maple river, Clinton Salt Works, T. 8 N., R. 4 W., sec. 15, private prop. Temp. 46°.
43
OF MICHIGAN.
MINERALS .- SPRINGS.
No. 14-Clinton co., Clinton Salt Works, lower marsh, T. 8 N., R. 4. W., sec. 15, private prop.
No. 15-Washtenaw co., Saline, T. 4 S., R. 5 E., sec 12, U. S. reservation.
No. 16-Macomb co., Salt river of L. St. Clair, T. 3 N., R. 14 E., sec. 2 and 11, owned by State. Temp. 50°. No. 17-Macomb co., Salt river, T. 3 N., R. 14 E., sec. line between 2 and 11, owned by State. Temp. 52.º No. 18-Macomb co., Frankfort, T. 3 N., R. 13 E., sec. 31, private prop. Temp. 49°.
No. 19-Macomb co., T. 3 N., R. 12 E., sec. 13, private prop. Temp. 58°.
No. 20-Wayne co., T. 2 S., R. 9 E., sec. 2, private prop.
- 1
TABLE
Showing the constituents of one hundred grains of the solid contents.
No. of Spring
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. 10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17. 18.
19.
20.
Muriat.Soda* 83.94 86.98 83.49 71.35 72.01 73.47 66.88 64.51 79.12 58.86 65.23 64.52175.60 74.50 80.46 87.40184.36 82.89 84.05 76.13
Muriate Lime
4.85
2.14
4.45
8.24 6.38 8.65 7.19
9.51 12.87
5.00 4.40 2.12
1.45
1.35
6.50 2.11 2.07| 3.78| 2.60 15.80
Mur. magnes.
6.48
3.081.5.75
8.72
7.55 5.39 11.42
9.94
1.64
6.77 17.60
9.83
5.84
6.10
7.65
5.84
7.40 12.13 10.20
3.12
Carbon. Lime
:80
1.75
.41
.85
6.00 3.00 1.65
4.20
1.05
9.67
3.32
6.08
8.38
9.30
4.21
2.22
3.70
2.60
3.25
Sulphate Lime
3.93
6.05
5.90 10.79
8.06 9.49 12.86 11.81
5.32 19.65
8.15 13.40
8.63
7.85
1.05
2.34
2.27
.50 .20 .40 .10
.45 .10
.10
Veget.mattert
·
.
·
·
.
.
·
.
.
.
1.10
Silicious and
aluminous dot
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
·
Total
100.
100. 100. 100. 100. 100. 100. 100. 100. 100. 100. 100. 100. 1100. 100. |100. 100. 100. |100. 100.
·
.
·
.
.05
.05
.05
.10
.13
.09
.20
1.25
4.00
.05 .60
.25
·
* Common salt.
t Foreign.
44
GAZETTEER
.50
Carbona. Iron
.05
.
45
OF MICHIGAN.
RIVERS AND LAKES.
The analysis in the table was of water taken at the sur- face. A more recent analysis of the water of Clinton Salt Works, since a shaft has been sunk 40 feet, (the quantities in both cases, being equal, or three and a half wine pints nearly,) shows an increase of 92. 42 grains of solid matter, and 77.05 grains of salt. The advantage of boring is obvi- ous. In contemplation of improving those springs belong- ing to the State, $3,000 has been appropriated by the State, and the State geologist is directed to employ one or more assistants, and commence boring at one or more salt springs.
Medicinal waters are known to exist in some parts of the State. These are mostly Chalybeate and Sulphur Springs, some of the latter, charged with sulphurated hydrogen, occur near Monroe, and Havre, and are useful in the treatment of cutaneous disorders. One near Havre is 35 feet deep and 150 in circumference, and produces a volume of water sufficient to propel a run of stones.
RIVERS AND LAKES.
The rivers of Michigan are, in general, comparatively smaller but more numerous, having in the peninsula, accor- ding to the volume of water, a greater length from their mouths to where they head, than is commonly observed in most other sections of country. This latter circumstance may perhaps be attributed not only to the uniformity of de- scent, but to the more favorable structure of the interior to furnish them constant supplies .* The Detroit, St. Clair, and St. Mary's are more properly Straits, and not rivers.
* What is the common intendment or literal signification conveyed by the words river, creek, brook, run, &c. is to be understood, not by any definite dimensions of the stream, but by the notion of comparative size locally attached to them, in different sections of country. In New Eng- land the streams are mostly small; in the Southern States larger; in the South Western, and North Western States, generally numerous and very large. Hence,in New England, the streams, though in general very diminutive, are commonly termed rivers, and the most trifling are called brooks ; and thus in some parts of New York. But in a greater portion of the West, and especially in the South Western States, the grade of the streams is so various from the Mississippi downward, a different
46
GAZETTEER
RIVERS AND LAKES .- LAKE SUPERIOR.
They are tranquil, deep, copious and expansive streams, uniting the great lakes, the waters of which, they conduct toward the ocean. The largest rivers of the Peninsula are the Grand, Maskegon, St. Joseph and Kalamazoo, which flow into Lake Michigan ; the Cheboiegon and Thunder Bay River, that discharge into Lake Huron, and the Sagi- naw into Saginaw Bay. The streams flowing eastward are small, owing to the position of the dividing ridge, which is considerably east of the centre of the peninsula. The lar- gest are the Raisin, Huron, Rouge and Clinton. The lar- gest rivers of the Upper Peninsula, are the Montreal, the Great Iron, the Ontonagon, Huron, St. Johns, and Choco- late, which put into Lake Superior : and the Monomonie and Monestee, which flow, the former into Green Bay and the latter into Lake Michigan. There are several other considerable streams, though of a smaller grade, and which, together with all the before mentioned, may be found de- scribed in the Third Part of this work. In the surveyed part and in the remainder of the State as far as ascertained, the streams are, with few exceptions, lively, pure and healthy.
Michigan is encompassed by fivelakes, four of which are the largest collections of fresh water on the globe. They are Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Erie. These are connected by the Straits of Detroit, St. Clair, Mackinac, and St. Mary.
Of these immense Mediterranean waters, Lake Superior is by far the largest. It is situated between about lat. 46°20' and 48° 58' N. and lon. 84º12' and 92°25' West. It lies di- rectly north of the Upper Peninsula, and the greater part of its Southern coast is bordered by it. Its length is esti- mated at 500, its breadth in the widest part 190, and its cir- cumference 1700 miles, (by some 350 long, and 1500 in cir- cumference.) The coast, as well as the lake itself, is very irregular, exhibiting frequent indentations and bordered, es- pecially in the N. W., with numerous small islands. The largest are Middle Island, and Isle Royal, near the Amer- ican coast, and Michippicotton near the northern part of the
4
notion prevails, and names are applied accordingly. Thus the larger are called rivers, and what are termed rivers in New England are called creeks in the West, and a brook is called a run. But in Michigan, the rule is somewhat varied from other parts ofthe West, and, although many streams are called creeks, yet it is frequent to find very insignificant streams dignified with the name of river,
47
OF MICHIGAN.
RIVERS AND LAKES .- LAKE MICHIGAN, LAKE HURON.
lake. Its tributaries are numerous, and many of them con- siderable streams, the greater portion of which put in from the American shore. St. Mary's Strait is the outlet that con- ducts its waters through a devious channel into Lake Huron.
Lake Michigan is the second in size. It is between lat. 41°38' 58" and about 46° N. and lon. about 84°40' and 87º 8' W. It is a long and narrow lake, stretching a little northeastwardly between the Peninsula on the East and the territory of Wisconsin and state of Illinois on the west. The northern part, together with the straits of Mackinac, separate the two peninsulas of Michigan from each other. It is 330 miles* in extreme length, and on an average, 60 broad, and distant 120 miles from the Mississippi. It contains, according to Hutchins 16,981 square miles, or about 10,- 868,000 acres. It has many subsidiary streams both from the peninsula and Wisconsin. Its coast is generally sandy, but preserving great regularity. It is mostly free from islands except in the north, and in the strait of Mackinac, which communicates with it and Lake Huron on the north- ern point of the Peninsula. There are only three bays of any importance. Green Bay,t the largest, takes its name from the unusually dark green color of its waters. It lies on the N. W. and the great and little Traverse Bays on the north of the Peninsula.
Lake Huron is the third in point of size, and is situated on the north-eastern border of the Peninsula, separating it from Upper Canada. It lies between lat. 43º5' and 46° 12' N. and between lon. 79°50' and 84°30' W. Its length from north to south, is 260 miles, and coast wise on the south western shore, 360. It is 160 miles in breadth from east to the west, in the widest part, but exclusive of the Bay, on the north east, it is only 90, and its circumferance 1100 miles. Its area is 7,828 square miles, or 5,009,920 acres. The shape of this lake is extremely irregular. Its principal indentations are Saginaw Bay, which extends down into the Peninsula, and two others, one immedi- ately north of the Manito Islands, and the other, south
* All surveys made of these lake waters have been more or less par- tial, and hence the discrepency in the calculations of different individu- als as to their true dimensions. Tlll a more general and complete explo- ration we must be content with the estimates of the best authorities on the subject.
t See Green Bay, Third Part.
48
GAZETTEER
RIVERS AND LAKES .- ERIE, ST. CLAIR .- INTERIOR LAKES.
east of them. The latter, sometimes called the Manito Bay or Manito Lake, is very large, estimated at one fourth of Lake IIuron. Huron receives several considerable streams, but far less in number and amount than either of the two former lakes. The waters of this lake find an outlet in the Strait of St. Clair, which conducts them from its southern extremity into Lake St. Clair.
The next larger lake bordering this State is Lake Erie. Lake Erie extends from N. E. to S. W. between a peninsu- la of Upper Canada on the north and New York, Pennsylva- nia, and Ohio on the south, and Michigan on its western bor- der, between 41° 30' and 42° 55' N. lat. and from 78° 35' to 83° 20' W. lon. More than 30 miles of its coast border Michigan. The lake is estimated at 280 miles long, and from 10 to 63 in breadth, and 654 in circumference, con- taining 3,520 square miles, or 2,252,800 acres .* It has comparatively few tributary streams, the largest of which is Maumee. It has its outlet on the north eastern extremity through the Strait of Niagara, which conducts its waters into Lake Ontario.
Lake St. Clair is the smallest of the five lakes, bordering this State. It is situated on the east of the Peninsula, nearly midway between Huron and Erie, between about lat. 42° 18' and 42° 45' N. and lon. 82° 23' and 82° 46' west. Its greatest length from N. W. to S. E. is 30 miles, and great- est breadth 28, and 90 miles in circumference, containing. about 127 square miles, or 81,500 acres. Its shape might be compared to the figure of a heart, but, unlike it, receiv- ing its fluid at one extremity, from the Strait of St. Clair, through eight or ten large, beside numerous small chan- nels, and discharging it at the other extremity, by the Strait of Detroit.
Interior Lakes. Michigan seems truly to be a lake coun- try. Not only surrounded, but the interior is interspersed with them from one border to the other. Of the unsurvey- ed part, there is less certainly, but in the southern half of the Peninsula, the country is literally maculated with small lakes of every form and size, from an area of one, to one thousand acres, though, as a general rule, they do not per-
* Lake Ontario is estimated larger than Lake Erie by only al out 200 square miles.
49
OF MICHIGAN.
RIVERS AND LAKES .- COAST.
haps average five hundred acres in extent. They are some- times so frequent, that several may be seen from the same position. Did they not possess so much beauty and so richly add to the picturesque and rural scenery of the coun- try, there would be less propriety in bestowing upon them the dignified appellation of " Lakes," when a less elegant designation would be more appropriate to their extent. They are usually very deep, with gravelly bottoms, waters transparent and of a cool temperature, at all seasons. This latter fact is supposed to be in consequence of springs which furnish them constant supplies. They are the favorite re- sort of various kinds of aquatic fowls, and are supplied with an abundance of fish, of the varieties and sizes found in the great lakes; as the trout, bass, pickerel, pike, muskelunjeh, dace, perch, cat, sucker, bullhead, &c. &c. which often grow very large. It is usual to find some creek or rivulet originating in them, but what is a very singular fact, and not easily accounted for, many of these bodies of living wa- ter have no perceptible outlet, and yet are stored with fish. A lake of this description, with its rich stores of fish and game, forms no unenviable appendage to a farm, and is prop- erly appreciated.
The coast of the great lakes, contiguous to either penin- sula, wears a forbidding aspect and exhibits all the eviden- ces of sterility. The northern and southern shores of Lake Superior are rocky, barren, and in some places elevated. From Point Iroquois to the Pictured Rocks, it is sandy, then rocky to Fon du Lac, with occasional plains of sand, exhibiting the usual forest trees of those latitudes, as the pine, hemlock, birch, poplar, spruce, &c. There are sev- eral objects of curiosity on the southern shore, as the Pic- tured Rock, Doric Rock, Cascade La Portaille, &c., (for which See Third Part.)
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