1927 Map of De Witt

About this map

Bengal and Bingham townships define the northern reaches of this mid-Michigan landscape, where a dense network of country schools served a thriving agricultural community in the mid-1920s. Small rural centers like De Witt and Wacousta are depicted before the significant suburban expansion of later decades, centered around the winding course of the Lookingglass River. The map captures the transition between Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties, showing the early infrastructure of State Highway No 16 and the Central Michigan Road as they approached the northern outskirts of Lansing. Genealogists will find particular value in the placement of numerous family-named landmarks and institutions, such as the Oak Ridge Cemetery and the Wilsey Church. This era is characterized by its decentralized education system, with schools like Bengal Center School and County Farm School situated at nearly every major crossroads, providing a clear picture of local life before school consolidation.