Bertrand, Michigan facts for kids
Bertrand was once a small village located in the southern part of Niles Charter Township, Michigan. It was situated right by the St. Joseph River, about four miles south of the city of Niles. Today, Bertrand is no longer an active village, but its history tells an interesting story of early American settlement and trade.
Contents
What Was Bertrand?
Bertrand was an important stop for travelers and traders in the early 1800s. It was a place where different cultures met and where new communities began to form. The village played a role in the development of Michigan.
Early Beginnings
The story of Bertrand began with a man named Joseph Bertrand. He was a French Canadian who set up a trading post in this area by 1812. A trading post was like a small store where people could trade goods, often furs, with Native Americans and other settlers.
Joseph Bertrand married the daughter of a Potawatomi chief. Through this marriage, he gained land in the area. This land became the foundation for the future village.
A New Village Forms
In 1833, the Potawatomi people signed the 1833 Treaty of Chicago. This agreement meant they gave up their lands to the United States government. After this, Daniel G. Garnsey received special permission from U.S. President Andrew Jackson to start a village on Mrs. Bertrand's land.
Alonzo Bennett officially planned out the village of Bertrand in 1833. This process is called "platting," which means drawing a map of the town with its streets and lots. Alonzo Bennett also became Bertrand's first postmaster on June 9, 1834. A postmaster was in charge of the local post office, handling mail for the community.
A Stop on the Road
Bertrand was an important stop along the main road that connected Detroit and Chicago. This made it a busy place for travelers and goods moving between these two major cities.
In 1844, a group of nuns called the Sisters of the Holy Cross established their very first convent in the United States right here in Bertrand. A convent is a community where nuns live and work. This was a significant event for the small village.
The Village Declines
Over time, the importance of Bertrand began to fade. This happened because new railroad lines were built, but they did not pass through Bertrand. Railroads became the main way to transport goods and people, and towns that were "by-passed" by them often struggled.
Without the easy access of the railroad, Bertrand became less important for trade and travel. The village gradually became smaller. The post office, which had been a key part of the community, finally closed its doors on April 15, 1901. This marked the end of Bertrand as an active village.
