Picture #2
5 Epochs of Shiawassee County researched by Sadie G. Woodard
Picture #1
The Shiawassee area as it must have been about the end of the Glacial Period many millions of years ago.
Picture #2
The Shiawassee area when prehistoric animals were here - 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. Notice the beaches of the Glacial Lake where at least one American Mastodon remains have been uncovered.
Picture #3
The Shiawassee area during its occupation by aboriginal man (Ancient Indians). From 6,000 years ago until
the the habitation of the more modern American Indians in the 1700s and early
1800s. Notice the 4 basic settlements of the Modern Indian. They must have known about the earlier
inhabitants of this area from the 'Mounds' that they found.
The white man appeared in the early
1800s in the mid Michigan area.
Chebaswating.......now Owosso
Chigamoskin........now Shiawasseetown or Shiatown
Kechewaunbaugumnk.......southeast of Bancroft
------Indian Trails
Picture #4
The Shiawassee area at the time of the early settlers in 1820 to 1860. Notice the activity that is growing along the Shiawassee River. Remember, the river provided the fastest transportation route at that time. Early industry included saw mills, flour mills, woolen mills, trading posts, coal mines and a limestone quarry. Also notice the square area near Knaggs Place which was the Indian Reservation of 1819 to 1837. The Grand River Trail (Road) was the main trail from Detroit to Grand Rapids Michigan. During this early period, the forrests were logged off and the landscape changed forever for the Indian.
Picture #5
The Shiawassee area in the 1860's to 1900 when modern industry began. Then the railroads appeared and provided the way for the settlers and their supplies to develop the area.
The earliest recorded history of Shiawassee County history that I could find probably dates back to the early 1800's. A.L. and B.O. Williams came to this area and set-up a trading post north of Knaggs Bridge in 1820's and moved to develop Owosso, Michigan in the 1830's.
There were some writings by early explorers and surveyors too. But the bulk of eye witness accounts of the Indians and early days of the pioneers come from the Williams and other settlers.
But if you want to go back even further, I have found on-line different websites which explain the timelines from 20,000 years ago till todays date. Here is a general overview:
Paleo-Indian:
This refers to the oldest Indian material associated with big game hunting and extinct animals. It starts at least before 20,000 years ago and continues up to approximately 5000 BC. The Clovis and Folsom assemblages are typical of this period and date around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.
Archaic:
This refers to an early forest adaptation prior to the appearance of agriculture and ceramics.
It
ranges from perhaps 9000 BC or earlier up to the birth of Christ. Divisions in the Archaic are
commonly made with:
Early Archaic ranging from around 9000 BC up to 5000 or 4000 BC.
Middle Archaic ranges from around 4000 BC up to 2000 or 1500 BC.
Late Archaic ranges from around 2000 BC or 1500 BC up to the birth of Christ.
Woodland:
The Woodland period is believed to range from around the birth of Christ up to about AD 800. It is commonly subdivided into Early, Middle, and Late phases. Early pottery period.
Historic
After 1600 AD
1763.........................Pontiac War
1776...................Revolutionary War
1816.....................Henry Bolieu, a French trade is the first white man in Shiawassee Valley area
1819..................Treaty of 1819 in which a 3,000 arce parcel is designated as an Indian reservation in the area of Knagg's bridge on Cole Rd. at the Burns Twp. Hall
1820..................Whittmore Knaggs builds cabin-trading post at reservation
1830................A.L. and B. O. Williams build Shiawassee Exchange on Exchange Rd. where the railroad crosses the Shiawassee River
1836.................Owosso becomes a city
1837......................Michigan Statehood
1865......................Civil War
1917......................WW1
1945......................WW2