Story in the Stones
Bellevue, Michigan
At the flashing light in downtown Bellevue, Michigan, the Village Hall sits on the northwest corner. It is hard to miss since it is a two story structure that is unique for the stonework on the exterior. There is plenty of parking downtown so it is convenient to walk around this building and study the handiwork of the artisan who carved these stones. As you take in the details you will realize that these were not simply cut and mortared in. There are unusual patterns here and a series of stones cut into circles, diamonds and even a large arrowhead. The arrowhead on the south wall is about three feet long.
This
is all rock faced field stone and is the work of Charles H.
Secore. The building was completed in the early 1900's and
was originally a bank. It turns out that these stones tell a
bit of the history of the area. It is said that the circular
stones represent the medicine wheels of the Ojibway and
Chippewa tribes who inhabited the area. The diamond is the
symbol used to represent the four directions by the Ojibway
and the arrow head is a Chippewa reference since they were
known for making arrowheads. There are more intricately
carved stones including one in the shape of a heart. The
entire exterior is a work of art that we would have
difficulty producing today. IIllustration by Dawn
Baumer.
The monthly newsletter is published on the 1st of each month and is delivered by email, www.travelinmichigan.com .
The monthly newsletter is published on the 1st of each month and is delivered by email, www.travelinmichigan.com .