The plan

To save the Delta Mills Grange building in order to preserve and restore the heritage of Delta Township.

Goal  

The goal of the historical society is to relocate the Delta Mills Grange Hall to a location that is usable and more fitting to the preservation of one of the last vestiges of Delta Township History. The Grange building is a lasting reminder of the pioneer and farming history of Delta Township

Preservation

In order to preserve Delta Township History we need to preserve the last remaining pieces of its past. The restoration of the grange building will be a lasting and living history for future generations of  Delta Township residents.

Why Save the Grange

The grange building is one of the last preserved and untouched pieces to show residents how our pioneers lived as a community.

Why Move the Grange

The present location of the grange building is not usable as a living history museum for the township. The site has no sewers, running water or parking. 

Lasting Use of the Grange

The grange building will be used as a museum to the history of Delta Township.

 As a usable community building, the historical society will be able to educate the community on the past while preserving the building for the future.  The building will also serve as a gathering place for community and private events much the same as its original use as a community  gathering place.

Delta Grange Hall History & Location

The Michigan State Grange was organized on April 15, 1873 at Kalamazoo as part of the National Grange, founded in Washington D.C. on December 4, 1867. Delta farmers established Delta Grange #370 in December 1901 at a time of rapid growth of the Grange movement. The present frame building was constructed between March 6 and June 18, 1903. Meetings continued until 1924. The building has since been used as a meeting place by retired local farmers. The Delta Grange No. 370 Building historically recalls the Grange at the height of its popularity at century's turn in rural northeast Eaton County.

Delta Mills History

The beginning of Delta Township dates back to 1837 when the Ingersoll family settled in the area of present day Delta Mills. That area, at the west end of Delta River Drive, was originally plotted as Grand River City.

Grand River City was platted by its founder Erastus Ingersoll and family from New York State.  The first know recorded minute book of the city activities date to May 14, 1842.  Originally Ingersoll and backers planned to establish Oberlin College at this site.  There were several mills and dams that were destroyed by frequent spring floods. Delta Mills had several businesses however the only sites remaining today are the barber shop and Steven’s garage.  Along with the mills Delta had a Post Office until 1910 a broom stick and wooden ore factory.  Delta Mills came very close to becoming the capitol of Michigan when plans changed and the next day a site in the bigger Beal City became the capitol of Michigan.  Later know as Lansing. By the time Lansing was designated at the Capitol city in 1847, Grand River City already had a post office, rail road station and saw mill.