Charleston, Ottawa County, Michigan

Charleston was a settlement in Allendale Township, Ottawa County, Michigan.^[1] It began as a trading settlement to exchange goods with the local Native Americans in 1810, constructed by .

According to the Honorable William M. Ferry, "The first trader who located in what was Ottawa County--then embracing Muskegon county--was Pierre Constant, a Frenchman, of the type that advanced guard of pioneers--Marquette, LaSalle, Joliet, and Tonti--who, two hundred years before, invaded and brought to the world the great Northwest. [Constant] was of the chevalier order of men--brave, honorable, and undaunted, amid all dangers. In 1810, he engaged with the British Fur Company, then having a depot at Mackinaw, as a trader; and with his supply of merchandise coasted along the shore of Lake Michigan, and established a trading post on Grand River, near what is now called Charleston, and another on the banks of Muskegon Lake."^[2]

Charleston was platted in 1836. However the sawmill was removed in 1872 and the village ceased to exist.

References[]

External links[]

• Romig, Walter (1986). Michigan Place Names. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. p. 110. ISBN 978-0-8143-1838-6 – via Google Books.
• "2004 Allendale Historical Recognition Plan" (PDF). 2004.

Coordinates: 43°0′14″N 85°56′07″W / 43.00389°N 85.93528°W / 43.00389; -85.93528