Name/Title
Douglas Union School dedication 1998Entry/Object ID
2026.19.02Description
40 color snapshots of the unveiling of the Douglas Union School historic marker in 1998. Judy Anthrop wrote the names of the people pictured on the back of the prints in 2026.Photograph Details
Type of Photograph
Print, photographSubject Person or Organization
Douglas Union School 1866-, Budd, Nancy J. 1922-2010, Aldrich, Gladys Mendez, Aldrich, Jeffrey Lynn 1950-2016, Anthrop, Judy (Bowman), Birkholz, Patricia "Patty" (Knoll) 1944-2018, Thompson, Rick, Sharp, Larry 1946-2021, Fox, Johnson 1918-2009, Pahl, John, Schmiechen, James A., Bekken, Gerald 1924-2021, Hofmeyer, Terry, Baty, Bud, Brigham, Joan (Eddy) 1924-Context
The photos were collected by Joan Brigham and given to Nancy Budd "In memory of the historical dedication of the Old School house."
Nancy Johnson Budd inherited the Douglas Unions School building. She maintained the building's historic facade and researched its history for the National Register of Historic Places and the Michigan Historic Site designation. The unveiling of this marker was the capstone of her efforts to preserve the building.
Douglas Union school historic marker text, side 1
In 1866, faced with the growth of what were then the separate villages of Douglas and Dudleyville, Saugatuck Township Districts No. 3 and 4 merged forming Union District No. 3. The Douglas Union School opened for classes in September 1866. One male and one female teacher taught 129 pupils that year. Early newspapers reported church services, concerts, and social events taking place in the building's second floor hall. When it closed in 1957, the school had four classrooms. They were converted to apartments during the 1960s. The bell, made by the Buckeye Bell Foundry of Cincinnati, Ohio, was removed and relocated at the new elementary school.
Douglas Union school historic marker text, side 2
Opened in 1866, The Douglas Union School is one of Michigan's oldest surviving multi-classroom school buildings. With its bracketed eaves and belfry, the school reflects Italian Villa architecture. Two years after the school opened the state superintendent of education reported that "Douglas has a new building, and a good one for a small place." Incorporated in 1870, by 1873 the village had four general stores, a hotel, several flour and lumber mills, and between 700 and 800 inhabitants. The school served the village and the surrounding area until 1957. Douglas Union School is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected 1998 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of State.
Marker Number L1801.Collection
Historic PreservationCataloged By
Winthers, SallyAcquisition
Accession
2026.19Source or Donor
Barrows, MaryAcquisition Method
Donation, unconditionalLocation
Box
150 SDHC Social SnapshotsCreate Date
October 15, 2026Update Date
October 16, 2026
