Michigan's Capital

Michigan's Capital is a Michigan historical marker in Watertown Township, Clinton County, dedicated 1965.

Clinton County · dedicated 1965 · Eastbound I-96 Rest Area, Watertown Township

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Ahead lies Lansing, capital of Michigan. In 1835, when the state was organized, Detroit was the capital, as it had been when Michigan was a territory. The capital, after much debate, was moved to its present, more centrally located site in 1847. The city of Lansing did not exist at that time, and the first capitol, completed by 1848, was built in a wilderness. Today Lansing is the center for state government and also for major industries. Michigan State University is in East Lansing.

TodayHistorical map

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David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

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under a mile from where William Gabby lived in the 1760s

what this marker records spans 1777 to 1789, overlapping William Gabby's years here

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Marker data: Michigan History Center
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Michigan's Capital

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