How did Henderson Hill get its name?

— Jan Personette, Niles

Your Dear John question last Friday sent Bob and I off on an investigation … hope this is your answer.

We looked in the 1882 History of Cass County Michigan (reprinted in 1971 and 1985).

There was a Sylvanus Henderson and a Samual R. Henderson who had properties in Wayne Township, Sections 29, 32, 33 and 34, at one time or another.

Sylvanus Henderson’s house was at what is now 26688 Marcellus Highway (according to the Cass County Historical Commission’s “Historical Reflections of Cass County”) and was a stagecoach stop and way station.

We think it’s the white house on the left right at the top of the hill.

Sylvanus was Wayne Township supervisor in 1857, 1858 and 1859.

There was also a B.S. Henderson shown in an 1860 plat book in section 32 and S. R. Henderson in section 29.  Couldn’t find out anything about B.S.

Sooooooo, we  would believe that this is how Henderson Hill got its name.

Also, there is some connection with the Frank Henderson who built Henderson Castle in Kalamazoo in 1895. He must have been the son of one of them. I had it all written down a few years ago after touring Henderson Castle, but I can’t find it. Frank started and owned the Henderson-Ames Co.

Bob is a local history lover so we have a lot of references in old atlas, city directories, etc.

We “waste” a lot of time scouring when we get off on something or other.

 

Connie and Bob Plucienik