Juddville, Michigan

Michigan Historic Site

Located at the corner of Durand and Juddville Roads

The Juddville Historical Society

The Juddville Historical Society commemorates the community once known as Judd’s Corners, which was established in the 1850’s. The thriving settlement became known as Juddville in 1879 when it was granted its own post office. The Juddville Historical Society is located at 9000 East Juddville Road at the corner of Durand Road; situated in Hazelton Township in Shiawasee County.

Late 1800’s and early 1900’s rural and farm-life is the theme of the site that is essentially a museum. Comprised of over 4 park-like acres, much of it still to be developed, the setting includes the 1903-built Juddville Schoolhouse, an outdoor pavilion, a vintage granary (grain storage building), two corn-cribs, and an antique barn. Visitors may examine tools and equipment from the bygone rural way of life, some of which may be operated. A replica of the 1920’s era “Raliegh”gas station from New Lothrop contains two antique automobiles; a 1941 Chevrolet Master Deluxe and a rare 1935 Detroit-built Graham Model 68 coupe.

The museum also owns the “Greek Revival” style home that country physician, Dr. Augustine Holcomb, purchased in “Judd’s Corners” in 1885. The Society plans to restore this home and open it to visitors.

Membership

There are over 100 members of the Juddville Historical Society, from Shiawasee, Genesee, and Saginaw counties. Membership is $10 per year and includes a subscription to the “County Line Journal” that publishes four issues a year containing interesting historical narratives relating to the area’s past.

Activities

Everyone is welcome at the regular activities that presently include a music “Jamboree” on the 4th Saturday of every month from 1 to 4; and the “Quilters and Spinners” who meet every Thursday; afternoons from 1 to 4, and evenings from 7 to 9. The location is family-oriented and visitors can pitch horseshoes and play basketball.

The “Red Hatters” and Civil War re-enactors have visited the site. The Juddville Historical Society is interested in adding more activities and building community involvement. If you have an activity you are interested in scheduling, you are encouraged to contact the Juddville Historical Society at P.O. Box 2, New Lothrop, Mi. 48460.

History of the Village of Juddville

Known more recently as Juddville, Judd’s Corners was first settled in 1853 when Connecticut native John Judd purchased 400 acres of land encompassing the area from the Hazelton brothers who owned much of the township. A log school was erected in 1854, where Judd’s eldest daughter, Jane, taught. Over the next two decades, a thriving community developed. In 1879 Judd’s Corners was granted a post office. By 1881the village had a sawmill, blacksmith shop, general store, a creamery, and two churches. Population peaked in the mid 1880s at about 175 people, and began declining by the 1900s. The school that survives today, built in 1903, was originally faced with brick. The school and the Adventist and Methodist Episcopal churches are reminders of a once-thriving community.

More Shiawassee County History