June 2006

Driving tour highlights the history of the Grange Movement in Lenawee County

Historians with Mead & Hunt have completed a brochure that highlights the history of the Grange Movement in Lenawee County.  The self-guided driving tour includes existing Grange Halls, a former agricultural school, and sites associated with prominent agriculturalist and politician George B. Horton. 

The National Grange was established in 1867 to unite farmers and improve agricultural conditions throughout the country.  In Michigan, local affiliates formed to organize politically against monopolies and sustained an agricultural lifestyle through social events.  Meetings and events were held in Grange Halls such as the Hudson Center and Rome Grange Halls, included on the tour. 

George B. Horton was a successful farmer and an important figure within the Grange Movement.  His parents established one of the earliest cheese factories in the county and Horton expanded the family business to include seven cheese factories.  Horton served as Master of the Michigan State Grange between 1892 and 1908 and was instrumental in establishing many Granges in Lenawee County.

One of the highlights of the driving tour is Horton’s house built in 1888.  The ornate brick home features a corner turret, decorative brackets, and other features of the Queen Anne style.  Mead & Hunt prepared a National Register nomination for the house that is currently awaiting approval by the state.

Mead & Hunt, a national architectural and engineering firm with an office in Lansing, Michigan, developed the brochure as part of mitigation for the demolished Madison Grange Hall near the airport.  This Grange was removed to make way for runway improvements.  Free brochures may be picked up at the Lenawee Historical Society Museum and the Lenawee County Fairgrounds. 

Mead & Hunt, named by CE News as one of the top 10 engineering companies to work for in the nation, provides professional services in transportation (aviation, highways and bridges) engineering, architecture and building engineering, municipal and civil engineering, historic preservation, and water resources engineering to clients throughout the US.  Recently recognized as the fastest rising architectural and engineering firm by the Zweig Letter Hot Firm list, Mead & Hunt remains strong on the Engineering News Record’s Top 500 design firm list.  Mead & Hunt is an employee-owned, privately held corporation that employs more than 300 people in offices nationwide.