Valley Girl Views: Sights To See - Fort Freeland & The Hower-Slote House

Of course the best time to see Fort Freeland is during the annual Heritage Days festival on the first week-end in October, but the grounds are open to the public to walk around [outside only - the buildings are NOT open except during the festival]. There's a nice walking path around the pond, along the tracks, across the bridge, and over to the soccer fields. [This path is used by the Cross Country team]

The stockade boundaries are marked at the site, based on an Archeological Dig that was held in 1978.

A sketch of what the fort may have looked like

The Hower-Slote House was built in 1829 by James Slote, who fired the bricks himself. James, born Oct. 5th 1783, married Johanna "Hannah" Hower, and the house was built on land once owned by John A. Hower, who acquired it from his father, John Frederick Hower. Hannah inherited this portion of land from her father, John A. Hower, after his death in 1826.

Brick making is one of the trades showcased each year at the Heritage Days Festival.

"The Hower family cemetery, once located to the north east of the house, is now a quiet field. The stone memorials were removed in the early 1900's and were used to repair the foundation of the barn. Portions of two stones have survived, that of John A. Hower who died October 1, 1826, at the age of 50yrs, 2mos & 26da. A partial stone for Enoch Hower, son of John A., who inherited part of his father's land also survives."

Today, a DAR marker and flag pole are to the west of the house. The marker was placed by the D.A.R. in 1914.

Nearby is also the Historic Warrior Run Church, with another small walking path around the front, and picnic tables. Again the grounds are open to the public, but the building is closed except for special events.

James Slote, builder of the Hower-Slote House was also responsible for firing the bricks used to build the present [3rd] Warrior Run Church in 1835. He also served on the building committee.

At both locations, there are "U-Turn History Machines" - The circular item on a pole to the right in this photo.. Turn the handle to power then up, then hear dramatized versions of the history, at each site.

Signs on the Funnel Cake Building [where you can purchase funnel cakes at Heritage Days] Describe locations on the grounds.

The Freeland Mill, Mill Race, and Lower Dam

Heritage Garden at the Hower-Slote House

The Garden During Heritage Days, 2023

Located on the east side of the Hower-Slote House, installed in 1996

McKnight Ambush

======================

A David Seybold painting features the Hower-Slote house, a sleigh and pumpkins

============
READ MORE
=============

Metal Plate in her head -

The Archeological Dig

The Warrior Run Church

U-Turn History Machines

Fort Rice

Built after Fort Freeland

was destroyed

Still stands today.

Books:

Available On Amazon

FREE To Read on Internet Archive

"James Slote was also responsible for firing the bricks used to build the present Warrior Run Church in 1835 and served on the building committee. Soon after this, he and his family moved to Michigan. While home on business, he became ill, died, and was buried next to his parents in the Warrior Run Cemetery. His wife and family remained in Michigan. They were pioneers in St. Joseph County, Michigan and first members of the Mottsvile Pres. Church in 1838. His middle name is actually the English translation of the word "slot". He appears in some census as James Lock."

Beginning On Page 589

"George W. Slote. — In the annals of St. Joseph county the name of Slote occupies a place of note, James Slote, grandfather of George W., having been one of its pioneer settlers. A native of Pennsylvania, he came from excellent Holland ancestry, and as a young man learned the trade of a tanner, which he followed to some extent in connection with farming and other industries.

He accepted the contract for building the Wire Run Church, in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and burnt the brick which was used in its construction.

In 1837 James Slote, accompanied by his own family, and those of his son-in-law, William McCormack, and of Henry Snyder, came to Michigan, making the long trip with teams. He located in Park township, St. Joseph county, purchased a tract of heavily wooded land, and began to clear and improve a homestead. About a year later he made a business trip to Pennsylvania and while there was taken ill and died.

He married Hannah Hower, who was born in Pennsylvania, and to them eleven children were born, eight sons and three daughters. His widow survived him many years, dying in Michigan.

George Slote, father of George W., was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and as a boy and youth received excellent educational advantages. Entering upon a professional career while young, he was one of the pioneer teachers of St. Joseph county, teaching school eighteen consecutive winters. For many years after he came here with his parents the people lived in a very primitive manner, much of the travelling being performed on foot or horseback. There were no railways in this section of the country, and Detroit was the nearest marketing place. A flour mill, however, had been built at Three Rivers in 1836, and to this mill he used to take wheat to be ground, rafting it down the St. Joseph river. When ready to establish himself permanently in life, he rented land, but afterwards he purchased the interest of the remaining heirs in a part of the old homestead, and was there engaged in tilling the soil until his death, in 1861.

George Slote was twice married. He married first Margaret Fair, who was born in Ireland, and came with her father, Robert Fair, to the United States, living for awhile in New York City, from there coming to St. Joseph county. She died in 1850, leaving three children, namely: James; George W., the subject of this brief sketch; and Margaret. Mr. Slote married second Mary Waldron, who survived him, passing away in 1876.

George W. Slote was born, October 1, 1844, in Nottawa township, St. Joseph county, where, during his boyhood, he attended the district schools. He obtained a practical common school education, and on the home farm acquired an excellent knowledge of the various branches of agriculture. Subsequently buying land in Florence township, Mr. Slote was there prosperously employed in general farming until 1896, when he removed to Fabius township, locating in section thirty-five, on the Lewis K. Brody homestead, where he has since resided."