Fallasburg Historical District
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
In the 1830s, the village of Fallasburg was founded by John Wesley Fallass. Some of the original structures of the village exist today and are preserved through the Fallasburg Historical Society. A covered bridge, the village schoolhouse, and Fallass' 1842 home are some of the historic buildings in this complex.
Images
Fallasburg Covered Bridge
Fallasburg Village Map
Fallasburg Schoolhouse
Fallass Home
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
John Wesley Fallass was born in New York State in 1812 and moved to Michigan in 1837. Two years later, he platted the village of Fallasburg along the Flat River on property he bought from the federal government. Soon after, he built a sawmill and a gristmill in the village. The sawmill contained a chair factory, which is considered to be one of the first of many furniture manufacturers for which Kent County became famous. 1 Fallass also built a home in 1842 that is still standing today. He and his wife lived in the home until their deaths in the 1890s.
A one-room schoolhouse, built in 1867, stands on land donated by John Fallass. It was continuously used as a school and later a church until 1979. Today it houses a museum about the history of the village and the Lowell area.
A covered bridge in the village spans the Flat River. Although the current bridge dates to 1871, a covered bridge has existed at the same location since around 1840. The current bridge cost $1500 to build out of white pine and measures 100 feet long, 14 feet wide, and 12 feet high. The Fallasburg covered bridge is one of only three in Michigan still open to vehicle traffic.
The Fallasburg Historic Village hosts several events throughout the year. In the summer months, there are "vintage" baseball games, featuring 1860s rules and no mitts! There are also bike tours through the area, a popular fall country festival, and village Christmas tours.2
A one-room schoolhouse, built in 1867, stands on land donated by John Fallass. It was continuously used as a school and later a church until 1979. Today it houses a museum about the history of the village and the Lowell area.
A covered bridge in the village spans the Flat River. Although the current bridge dates to 1871, a covered bridge has existed at the same location since around 1840. The current bridge cost $1500 to build out of white pine and measures 100 feet long, 14 feet wide, and 12 feet high. The Fallasburg covered bridge is one of only three in Michigan still open to vehicle traffic.
The Fallasburg Historic Village hosts several events throughout the year. In the summer months, there are "vintage" baseball games, featuring 1860s rules and no mitts! There are also bike tours through the area, a popular fall country festival, and village Christmas tours.2
Sources
1. Ellison, Garrett. "Town is gone, but after 140 years, Fallasburg covered bridge lives on." http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/10/town_is_gone_but_after_140_yea.html
2. Fallasburg Historical Society website. www.fallasburg.org