Erie Township was formed by order of Territorial Governor Lewis Cass on May 4th, 1818 which included Bedford at the time. Bedford then split off from Erie Township in March of 1836. In earlier times Bedford had 10 different school districts, until 1946 when voters approved the motion to consolidate to one school, then called Bedford Rural Agriculture Schools. The name was then changed in 1955 to Bedford Public Schools.
The first people in Bedford were the Native Americans Pottawatomie or Kickapoo, they occupied Bedford for many many years before white settlers. Much later, the first French settler was John Benjamin Sulier and his wife Catherine LaPointe in 1830. Both LaPointe and Sulier are common last names in Bedford and all of Monroe County.
Bedford does not have much from those days, but one significant and very old location in Bedford that is still preserved to this day is Banner Oak school. It is located near the edge of the town and is the only building in Bedford to hold the honor of being in the Michigan Register of Historic Sites. The old schoolhouse was originally built in 1843 and was used until the mid 20th century.
The first people in Bedford were the Native Americans Pottawatomie or Kickapoo, they occupied Bedford for many many years before white settlers. Much later, the first French settler was John Benjamin Sulier and his wife Catherine LaPointe in 1830. Both LaPointe and Sulier are common last names in Bedford and all of Monroe County.
Bedford does not have much from those days, but one significant and very old location in Bedford that is still preserved to this day is Banner Oak school. It is located near the edge of the town and is the only building in Bedford to hold the honor of being in the Michigan Register of Historic Sites. The old schoolhouse was originally built in 1843 and was used until the mid 20th century.
Image: http://www.bedfordmi.org/residents/history.php
Source: Bedford Township, "Township History" http://www.bedfordmi.org/residents/history.php
Urbani, T. (2005). Bedford Township. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub.
Source: Bedford Township, "Township History" http://www.bedfordmi.org/residents/history.php
Urbani, T. (2005). Bedford Township. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub.