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Any photos not otherwise credited are from the personal collection of Frank Passic, Albion Historian.
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Morning Star, February 25, 2024, pg. 6 In 1832, the 19th American author, editor, poet, song writer, and novelist Charles Fenno Hoffman (1806-1884) traversed Calhoun and Jackson Counties, including here at "the Forks" (Albion) and recorded his findings. Hoffman was the founder/editor of Knickerbocker Magazine, as edited other publications in his day as well. He liked to travel across the United States, and wrote essays along the way. His essay about "the Forks" is found on pages 180-183 of the book "A Winter in the Far West," by C. F. Hoffman of New York, Volume 1. Published in London by Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, 1835. This book is available to read online. He also wrote about Jackson during this 1832 trip: "This morning I crossed the far-flowing Washtenong, or Grand River, near the new village of Jacksonburg; and the sight of its clear smooth waters inspired a new regret that I must abandon my original intention of following them down to the last trading-post." Hoffman continued with his subsequent visit here at "the Forks" from Jacksonburg, with the caption on page 181 reading "Primitive Guide-Posts." Page 180: "Forks of the Kekalamazoo (Calhoun), Dec. 18. This never-ending storm still continues and the trails, where not incessantly traveled, are now completely covered and effaced. I lost my way this morning, and wandered several miles from the track. After traversing a broad marsh, however, where my horse seemed loth enough to venture, I struck a burr-oak opening, and found [Page 181] my way by the blazed [NOTE: marked with an axe or hatchet to designate that a trail ran near it] trees back to the main trail." He later quipped, "It took me three hours to gain six miles in this way, my horse slipping and floundering at almost every step. But, lost as I was, I could not help pausing frequently when I struck the first burr-oak opening I had ever seen, to admire its novel beauty. It looked more like a pear-orchard than anything else to which I can assimilate it. The trees being somewhat of the shape and size of full-grown pear trees, and standing at regular intervals apart from each other on the firm level soil, as if planted by some gardener. Here, I first saw deer in herds; and half-frozen and weary as I was, the sign of those spirited-looking creatures sweeping in troops through interminable groves, where my eyes could follow them for miles over the smooth snowy plain, actually warmed and invigorated me, and I could hardly refrain from putting the rowels [a spiked revolving disc at the end of a spur] into my tired horse, and launching after the noble game." Hoffman's essay continues with his observation of our abundant natural resources. He obviously was amazed at what a beautiful country it was here at "the Forks." He surmised what a promising location this place was for growth in the future. The caption on page 182 reads, "Smiling Landscape." Imagine the abundance of natural resources, wildlife, and fowl there was when the pioneers settled here in the 1830s. How many of our readers are descended from the original settlers of those pioneer days? From our Historical Notebook this week we present a portrait of Charles E. Hoffman, visitor to "the Forks" in 1832.  Charles E. Hoffman, visitor to "the Forks" in 1832
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