This one is loaded with history and is even a designated historical location, complete with metal…read morehistorical marker. Yet the level of care this location has received is disheartening. The historical marker even states, "St. Joseph County donated these plots of land to Centreville as a cemetery in 1833 under the condition that a white picket fence be built around the site." There might have been a fence in 1833, but Centreville/St. Joseph County has since completely let the fence deteriorate to the point that there is no fence at all. Visitors can park along any of the street edges and walk, unimpeded, into the cemetery. Headstones are broken, knocked over or missing. This is a very sad representative of what a historical site should look like. Very sad.

This is the largest Underground Railroad Sculpture in the United States and stands 14 feet high and…read more28 feet log. It shows Harriet Tubman (aka "Black Moses") and Erastus and Sarah Hussey (local "conductors") as they lead a group of runaway slaves to safety. From a nearby marker, "From the 1830s to 1861, thousands of slaves in the southern United States courageously escaped northward to freedom on what became known as the Underground Railroad. Along this secret network, conductors... took great personal risks to ensure the safety of escaping slaves." Commissioned by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to honor the men and women who operated the Underground Railroad, as well as courageous fugitives who fled north to freedom. The bronze monument was created by Ed Dwight of Colorado in 1993. If you're looking for a good photo, morning would probably work better for the angle of the Sun than evening when I went. [Review 11054 overall, 827 of 2019.]

Beautiful spaces. http://www.edenspringspark.com/…read morehttp://www.israelitehouseofdavid.com/ http://www.maryscityofdavid.org/

Constructed in 1862 as a hops barn, this establishment was converted into a church in 1876. Then…read morere-sold in 1915 to a local farmer, the livestock barn existed on the site from 1915 to 1998 before it was purchased by members of the Pokagon United Methodist. Rev. George Bennard was visiting the area to take part in a series of revivals, and his famous hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" was first publicly performed in 1913. The hymn did not make Rev. Bernard rich. However, he sold the rights to the Rodeheaver Company of Winona Lake, Indiana, for $500, and the copyright was renewed years later for $5,000. The Old Rugged Cross Church is located on Vermont St. in Pokagon, about halfway between Dowagiac and Niles, where my partner's sister and I stopped off the beaten path before heading to Shipshewana.

My husband and I found out about this church by accident! We were simply searching for things to…read moredo in Niles, Michigan. We were determined to find something to do close to dark and finally found this on the Internet. The hymn, The Old Rugged Cross, was first performed in this church many years ago. The hymn is near and dear to our hearts because our grandparents used to enjoy singing this song and my husband has enjoyed playing it on the piano for our children. We decided to check it out! The outside of the church is stunning! We were not able to view the inside but if we ever make it back to this area of the country we will certainly stop to see it! You should do the same especially if you enjoy this old hymn!

This is fun a little part of history in Buchannon - and what's better is hey have a junior mill…read moreprogram for kids between 4 and 10....My 5 yo got to be a jr miller the one day and it was so much fun! He loved it. I like strolling through here during the farmer's market. it's always just a nice place to mosey around.

We really likes this place. It's an actual working flower mill. You get to see how everything…read moreworks. And right up close. A lot of history here.

Passing through Hastings, I had to turn around and find a spot to park so that I could admire this…read moreinteresting and unique structure. It's off the main street but along the way you might be driving if you are passing through the city on Green Street. The marker reads: "Built in the 1880s by Daniel Striker, this Queen Anne-style building was once considered the "handsomest residence in Hastings." Born in New York State in 1835, Striker moved as a child with his family to Michigan. He was elected to several offices in Barry County, became a lawyer, and in 1871-75 was elected Michigan secretary of state. Striker was also widely known in banking circles. He died in 1898, and after the death of his wife in 1915 the house became a hospital, later a convalescent home." Stop by and check it out. [Review 11130 overall, 904 of 2019.]

I don't think that it's a mistake that many of us find cemeteries as whole dark and gloomy. Tree…read moreheavy cemeteries that seem to be in perpetual shadow seem so depressing. Often the care they receive are minimal, with narrow two track dirt paths and stonework that is in disrepair and grass that has been inexpertly maintained. Which is probably why I find visiting the Fort Custer National Cemetery to pay respect to the departed heroes I have met in my life a celebration of what is good and decent about this country. The national cemetery is an amazing place that honors our deceased Vets. It is exceedingly well maintained, it is open to the sky, and it's a place that we drive to at least twice a year to remember those who have left this plane of existence and to leave stones on their graves to let others know their loved ones have not been forgotten. (And I do wish that our vets were as carefully cared for before they passed, but I suppose that's another review.)

I am always moved to tears when I visit Fort Custer National Cemetery not just for my family…read moremembers who are resting here but for all those families and soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice. My parents survived Nazi occupation and immigrated to the U.S. in 1951. The one day my mother never forgot was the day the Americans liberated The Netherlands from Nazi occupation. Thank you to all who have given all!

Located next to Battle Creek City Hall, Monument Park features lovely memorials to Sojourner Truth,…read moreC.W. Post and others. The statue of Sojourner Truth includes a marker detailing her life and her journey, her influence on 19th century America and how she ended up here in Battle Creek Michigan. The park is at the entrance to Battle Creek where I-194 enters the city and becomes Division Street. There is some limited street parking. The grass nearby has some picnic space and the area around the main statue is also amphitheater-shaped. [Review 11053 overall, 826 of 2019.]

This is such a quaint, historical little park. So much information, my 11 year old learned a lot…read moreabout Sojourner Truth and this was wonderful. Easy to get to, clean and convenient location.

This sign is a nice commemoration of Abraham Lincoln coming to Kalamazoo…read more This was President Lincoln's only time speaking in Michigan, and this sign in Bronson Park helps us remember that. It is decorated in the Spring and Summer by flowers surrounding it's base. If you're a Lincoln fan, it's worth checking out to honor one of America's greatest presidents.

Located in the southwest corner of Kalamazoo's Bronson Park, this marker was placed in 1957 and…read moreremembers the time from 100 years prior when an unknown lawyer came to the city and spoke at a rally. I've been to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington and the Gettysburg National Cemetery in Pennsylvania. It's cool to be able to follow this great man around. The marker reads, "On August 27, 1856, here in this park, Abraham Lincoln, then an obscure lawyer, spoke to a rally for John Fremont, the Republican presidential nominee. This was the only time that Lincoln addressed a Michigan audience. The event was almost unnoticed in the press. Some Republicans felt the speaker was too moderate on the antislavery issue. Four years later Michigan's vote helped put Lincoln into the White House." [Review 11220 overall, 996 of 2019.]