The early settlers expected the town to become Michigan`s state capital. Marshall was nominated in 1839 but lost to Lansing, then a village of eight registered voters in 1847. However, at this point, Marshall had become the switching center for the Michigan Central
Railroad which kept it booming and growing during the Civil War era. ln 1872 the rail yards were moved to Jackson and Marshall seemed to slumber.

A new industry was soon to take form in the barns, lofts, and business blocks of town. Marshall was fast becoming the Midwest`s patent medicine center and the place to get "pink pills for pale people". The Pure Food and Drug Act came along in 1906 and effectively killed off most of the patent medicine products. The town again slurnbered and only two streets were platted from 1872 to 1920.

During the 19th century the small city was touched lightly by U.S. history in three areas; education, abolition and unionism.

Two Marshall citizens. Rev. John D. Pierce and lawyer lssac E. Crary, innovated the Michigan school system and established it as part of the state constitution. Their method and format were later adopted by all the states in the old Northwest Territory and became the foundation for the U.S. Laird Grant Act in 1861 which established schools like Michigan State University all over the country. Pierce became the country’s first state superintendent of public instruction and Crary, Michigan`s first member of the U.S. House.

Marshall was a station on the Underground Railroad and a strong anti—slavery town. ln 1846 Kentucky slave chasers tried to capture escaped slave Adam Crosswhite and his family in Marshall. Leading citizens in turn arrested the Kentuckians and smuggled the Crosswhitefamily into Canada. The rescuers were convicted of "depriving a man of his rightful property" in Detroit federal court in 1847. They paid fines, which they considered a badge of honor.

The third touch of U.S. history was the founding of a union called the Brotherhood of the Footboard in 1863. A few months later the members realized that most people didn`t know what a footboard was, so they changed the name of the union to the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers, still one of the country`s strongest railroad unions.

Moving into the 20th century. Marshall has been home to people who understood the importance of preservation and restoration long before it was popular. This has allowed Marshall to move with the future while maintaining its wonderful past.

The Calhoun County Historical Society was first organized in 1917 in the basement of the Marshall City Library. ln I933 the Society moved to the Town Hall where people started donating various antiques and memorabilia. Unfortunately, many were misplaced or destroyed due to poor conditions. With the onset of the depression the meetings were cancelled for ten years.

ln 1951 Mr. Harold Brooks purchased the Honolulu House with plans of selling it to Historical Society with the help coming from the County Board of Supervisors. The Supervisors, however, refused to assist. The structure was
unoccupied until 1961 when Mr. Brooks allowed the Historicl Society to use the house for Heritage Day during Michigan Week. Ann Ells. president ot the Society felt the Honolulu House would be an ideal place for its headquarters. Mr. Brooks offered to sell the building for $23.000 with one requirement. that they change their name to the Marshall Historical Society. Today. the house has been refurbished and is open to the public.

Trinity Episcopal Church organized the Kitchen Tour in the 1950's. In 1964 the event was expanded into tours of the entire home. Becoming so large and popular, the ladies turned it over to the Marshall Historical Society in 1968. It now is one of the largest tours of its type in the country and consists of art fetivals, parades, antique shows, musical groups and involves the whole community.

Other programs include historical markers and restoring various buildings and museums. The Society maintains records of Marshall newspapers. Every year the holidays begin with the Candlelight Walk where several homes are decorated and open for viewing.

Marshall is one of the most beautiful cities in Michigan. It is also a storehouse of 19th century American small town architecture that has given it status as a National Historic Landmark District. Without a doubt, this is due to the hard and dedicated work of the Society.