We take a Sunday drive to Hastings , Michigan (USA )
to discover the Historic Charlton Park
located at 2545 South Charlton
Park Road , Hastings , Michigan (USA ). The phone number is: (269) 945-3775. The Park grounds include picnic tables and restrooms. The Upjohn House
Visitor Center
has brochures for a self-guided walking tour of the village. The best part – admission is free (but donations are always appreciated).
The park was established in
1936. The first building on the site was
the stone museum (construction from 1944-1950).
Irving D. Charlton Memorial Museum
The Historic
Village is open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day
from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Unfortunately, we arrived at 4:30 p.m. and the
buildings are closed. The good news -
the grounds stay open until later and we are able to walk around the village
and look through the windows for a peek into the past.
The Village’s 25 historic buildings are located in a park-like setting
along the banks of the Thornapple
River . They offer a glimpse of what life was like in
Barry County in the late 1800’s – early
1900’s.
Village Scenes
The first building we see is the Upjohn House (1852). It was home to one of Hastings first doctors. The building now houses the gift shop and
administrative offices.
Upjohn House
The Bristol Inn (1848) was a stagecoach stop until 1869.
Bristol Inn
The Carpenter Workshop was originally a barn. In 1871 it was repurposed into a Carpenter
Workshop. Next to the Carpenter Workshop
is a small open-weaved cubicle with a door and paddle lock. Was this actually used as a jail?
Carpenter Shop
Jail Cell
The Blacksmith Shop was added to the Village in 1968. In the “olden days”, the “Village Smithie”
performed a vital service to the community making and repairing various
objects.
Blacksmith Shop
Hastings Township Hall (1868) was moved to the Village in 1981. Town meetings and elections were held here
until 1988. Once in awhile, the township
will hold a meting at this building just “for old times sake”.
Hastings Township Hall
The Village is home to the Lee
School (1869-1923). It was originally located at the corner of Carlton Center and Martin Roads.
Lee School - Exterior and Interior
In case you don’t know this about me, one-room
schools are one of my favorite things to find and photograph. If you would like to see more of them, please
refer to my Blog on Michigan One Room Schools by clicking on the following
link:
The Sixberry House (1868) represents the village’s lawyer
house and office.
SIxberry House
The main floor of the Hastings Mutual
Building represents a
typical Village Bank in the early 1900’s.
Hastings Mutual Building (Bank)
The Main
Street consists of a Hardware Store, General
Store, and Print Shop. These buildings represent
the typical businesses found in the community.
Main Street
The Carlton Center Church
(1885) was used until 1972 when it was moved to the Charlton Park village .
Carlton Center Church
Even though the outside temperature is a hot and humid 90
degrees F, we spend over an hour walking around the property. It may take you more or less time to visit
this historic park. Either way, you’re
gonna be back in time!
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