The Clinton–Kalamazoo Canal is a canal in Michigan that was abandoned after being only partially completed. The canal was to connect Lake St. Clair with Lake Michigan. Project backers were inspired by the success of the Erie Canal in New York, which was completed in 1825. After gaining statehood in 1837, Michigan elected its first governor, Stevens Thomson Mason, who initiated an ambitious program of internal improvements, including three railroads and two canals. On March 21, 1837, the Legislature authorized Governor Mason to contract a loan for the construction of the canal from Mt. Clemens to Rochester, a railroad from Shelby to Detroit, a railroad from Detroit across the State (the Michigan Central) and a railroad from Port Huron into the interior, to be known as the Port Huron & Grand River road. In the spring of 1838, a Board of Commissioners composed of seven men, was appointed to take charge of the canal work.[2]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton ... azoo_Canal
A Canal Built to Connect Two Points
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BeNotDeceived
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Why is this remarkable?Valo wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2024 2:01 am The Clinton–Kalamazoo Canal is a canal in Michigan that was abandoned after being only partially completed. The canal was to connect Lake St. Clair with Lake Michigan. Project backers were inspired by the success of the Erie Canal in New York, which was completed in 1825. After gaining statehood in 1837, Michigan elected its first governor, Stevens Thomson Mason, who initiated an ambitious program of internal improvements, including three railroads and two canals. On March 21, 1837, the Legislature authorized Governor Mason to contract a loan for the construction of the canal from Mt. Clemens to Rochester, a railroad from Shelby to Detroit, a railroad from Detroit across the State (the Michigan Central) and a railroad from Port Huron into the interior, to be known as the Port Huron & Grand River road. In the spring of 1838, a Board of Commissioners composed of seven men, was appointed to take charge of the canal work.[2]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton ... azoo_Canal
Who knows!?BeNotDeceived wrote: ↑Tue Apr 30, 2024 12:09 pmWhy is this remarkable?Valo wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2024 2:01 am The Clinton–Kalamazoo Canal is a canal in Michigan that was abandoned after being only partially completed. The canal was to connect Lake St. Clair with Lake Michigan. Project backers were inspired by the success of the Erie Canal in New York, which was completed in 1825. After gaining statehood in 1837, Michigan elected its first governor, Stevens Thomson Mason, who initiated an ambitious program of internal improvements, including three railroads and two canals. On March 21, 1837, the Legislature authorized Governor Mason to contract a loan for the construction of the canal from Mt. Clemens to Rochester, a railroad from Shelby to Detroit, a railroad from Detroit across the State (the Michigan Central) and a railroad from Port Huron into the interior, to be known as the Port Huron & Grand River road. In the spring of 1838, a Board of Commissioners composed of seven men, was appointed to take charge of the canal work.[2]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton ... azoo_Canal
Perhaps only remarkable to me but felt like posting it so I did.
Perhaps this place will be the future meeting place of two people.BeNotDeceived wrote: ↑Tue Apr 30, 2024 12:09 pmWhy is this remarkable?Valo wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2024 2:01 am The Clinton–Kalamazoo Canal is a canal in Michigan that was abandoned after being only partially completed. The canal was to connect Lake St. Clair with Lake Michigan. Project backers were inspired by the success of the Erie Canal in New York, which was completed in 1825. After gaining statehood in 1837, Michigan elected its first governor, Stevens Thomson Mason, who initiated an ambitious program of internal improvements, including three railroads and two canals. On March 21, 1837, the Legislature authorized Governor Mason to contract a loan for the construction of the canal from Mt. Clemens to Rochester, a railroad from Shelby to Detroit, a railroad from Detroit across the State (the Michigan Central) and a railroad from Port Huron into the interior, to be known as the Port Huron & Grand River road. In the spring of 1838, a Board of Commissioners composed of seven men, was appointed to take charge of the canal work.[2]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton ... azoo_Canal
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BeNotDeceived
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Today two trusted people said good things about a place near another Clinton. FROM NORTH:
Make your way to Oklahoma City. From Oklahoma City take I-40 west to Exit #66 (in Clinton) and head South on Hwy 183 toward Cordell/Hobart (35 miles). Turn right onto Hwy 9 west (not Business 9) to Lone Wolf (9 miles). At Lone Wolf, turn left onto Hwy 44 south (8 miles). Turn right onto junction 44a (1 mile). Inside the park, follow the signs to the Lodge.
Make your way to Oklahoma City. From Oklahoma City take I-40 west to Exit #66 (in Clinton) and head South on Hwy 183 toward Cordell/Hobart (35 miles). Turn right onto Hwy 9 west (not Business 9) to Lone Wolf (9 miles). At Lone Wolf, turn left onto Hwy 44 south (8 miles). Turn right onto junction 44a (1 mile). Inside the park, follow the signs to the Lodge.
Who is Stephen T. Mason from Michigan?
Stephen T. Mason, also known as Stevens Thomson Mason, was an American politician who played a significant role in the early history of Michigan. He served as the first governor of Michigan from 1835 to 1840.
Early Life and Career
Mason was born on October 27, 1811, in Loudoun County, Virginia. He received his early education in Kentucky and later attended Transylvania University, although he did not graduate. At the age of 19, he entered politics, serving as the secretary of the Michigan Territory. He became the acting territorial governor in 1834 at the age of 22.
Governor of Michigan
Mason served as the first governor of Michigan from 1835 to 1840. During his tenure, he worked to establish the state’s government and infrastructure. He played a crucial role in the development of Michigan’s early history, including the establishment of the University of Michigan
Stephen T. Mason, also known as Stevens Thomson Mason, was an American politician who played a significant role in the early history of Michigan. He served as the first governor of Michigan from 1835 to 1840.
Early Life and Career
Mason was born on October 27, 1811, in Loudoun County, Virginia. He received his early education in Kentucky and later attended Transylvania University, although he did not graduate. At the age of 19, he entered politics, serving as the secretary of the Michigan Territory. He became the acting territorial governor in 1834 at the age of 22.
Governor of Michigan
Mason served as the first governor of Michigan from 1835 to 1840. During his tenure, he worked to establish the state’s government and infrastructure. He played a crucial role in the development of Michigan’s early history, including the establishment of the University of Michigan
"On July 20, 1838, Michigan's first Governor, Stephen T. Mason, came to Mount Clemens and dedicated the beginning of the canal. The actual start and first sections were completed in Clinton Township
Thousands of men, mostly Irish immigrants, worked with pick and shovel to dig the canal, which was about 50 feet wide with locks to raise and lower the boats as the elevations changed. Work progressed as far as the city of Rochester but had to be abandoned several times because money was becoming increasingly difficult to raise. Finally, there was no more money and the state dropped any further new work on the canal in 1845.
One boat the "Uncle Peter" did travel the canal for two years between Utica and the village of Frederick, the eastern terminus. Frederick was located just across the Clinton River from Canal Park.
For many years, the canal water was used to supply power for several mills in Frederick, Utica and Rochester.
Many of the canal workers eventually, settled in this area when they were given land grants in lieu of wages owed to them."
https://www.ctwphc.org/article.html?id=2
Thousands of men, mostly Irish immigrants, worked with pick and shovel to dig the canal, which was about 50 feet wide with locks to raise and lower the boats as the elevations changed. Work progressed as far as the city of Rochester but had to be abandoned several times because money was becoming increasingly difficult to raise. Finally, there was no more money and the state dropped any further new work on the canal in 1845.
One boat the "Uncle Peter" did travel the canal for two years between Utica and the village of Frederick, the eastern terminus. Frederick was located just across the Clinton River from Canal Park.
For many years, the canal water was used to supply power for several mills in Frederick, Utica and Rochester.
Many of the canal workers eventually, settled in this area when they were given land grants in lieu of wages owed to them."
https://www.ctwphc.org/article.html?id=2
Today my son and I walked the trails at River Bends Park. It has trails that sprawl several miles and connect to various parks and trails as it follows the Clinton River. My son and I have often gone fishing and swimming in the Clinton River although this was a new trail to us today.
As we walked down the trail, to our left, my son and I spotted an old man with two small girls who had stopped at a section of an old canal that was now a stream. There was a log laying across the stream to walk over and the girls were playing in the water as they stood on the log.
My son wanted to know what they were doing. In order to help him to not fear people and to show that most people are kind and friendly, I encouraged him to go ask. He didn't want to and asked me to. So we walked up and as we did I made salutations to the old man and asked how they were? I then explained that my son had seen the girls playing in the water and was curious so that is why we stopped.
The old man explained that they had just crossed the stream and he had gotten wet and these were his grandkids. We chatted about this and that for a minute or two and as we were talking his grandkids wandered up the hill and he went after them. I said goodbye and my son and I started walking back down the trail.
We hadn't gotten far when the old man yelled (with his grand kids in tow) "Hey, you interested in history?" And I was like, "yeah, in general I am." So he then proceeds to explain to me about the history of the Clinton River Kalamazoo canal! I was like, that's weird. I later explained to the old man how not too long ago I had been at a stop light (forever!) and as I was waiting I noticed the historical signage explaining that the spot I was at was to be the point where two canals meet.
As we walked down the trail, to our left, my son and I spotted an old man with two small girls who had stopped at a section of an old canal that was now a stream. There was a log laying across the stream to walk over and the girls were playing in the water as they stood on the log.
My son wanted to know what they were doing. In order to help him to not fear people and to show that most people are kind and friendly, I encouraged him to go ask. He didn't want to and asked me to. So we walked up and as we did I made salutations to the old man and asked how they were? I then explained that my son had seen the girls playing in the water and was curious so that is why we stopped.
The old man explained that they had just crossed the stream and he had gotten wet and these were his grandkids. We chatted about this and that for a minute or two and as we were talking his grandkids wandered up the hill and he went after them. I said goodbye and my son and I started walking back down the trail.
We hadn't gotten far when the old man yelled (with his grand kids in tow) "Hey, you interested in history?" And I was like, "yeah, in general I am." So he then proceeds to explain to me about the history of the Clinton River Kalamazoo canal! I was like, that's weird. I later explained to the old man how not too long ago I had been at a stop light (forever!) and as I was waiting I noticed the historical signage explaining that the spot I was at was to be the point where two canals meet.
