In 1837, White Pigeon became an incorporated village which makes it the oldest officially incorporated village in the state of Michigan. This stop on the tour offers an introduction to the community and also serves to draw attention to the fact that White Pigeon is on Bodéwadmiakiwen (Potawatomi) land. As the arrival of Europeans in North America occurred, treaties such as the 1836 Treaty between the Potawatomi Nation and the United States, allowed for the settlements in locations like White Pigeon to be established as they resulted in the removal of indigenous communities in this area.
Wahbememe Memorial Park is located in White Pigeon, Michigan at the intersection of the US-12 and US-131 roads. This is a park under the care of the St. Joseph County Michigan Parks and Recreation organization that contains a monument honoring Chief Wahbememe, for whom this town is named in honor. Chief Wahbememe was the Chief of the Potawatomi Nation which is believed to have lived in the areas that are now considered Wisconsin, Southwest Michigan, northern Illinois, as well as a part of Indiana. In the 1700s and early 1800s, as Europeans made contact with the Potawatomi Nation, the situation changed as settlers arrived.
This historical landmark, which was created in June of 1831, is the oldest U.S. Land Post in Michigan and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Land offices held a central place in the history of Western expansion as these officials created and held records establishing the legal claims of settlers.
This memorial was created by the Western Association of Leavitt Families to honor some of the Leavitt family members: Nathanial Leavitt, his children, his grandchildren, and his brother Josiah Leavitt.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This walking tour was created to have visitors reflect on the history of White Pigeon and the intersection of indigenous removal and colonization. It's my hope that you can leave this walking tour with a goal of learning more about history in the United States. Thank you and have a nice visit!
Native American History
