Walled Lake History

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The Native Americans tribes of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula were part of the Alqonquin race, including bands of the Potawatomie, Ottawa, and Ojibwe. These tribes likely shared a common ancestry, with languages so closely related that scholars often find it difficult to distinguish the exact locations of each tribe in ancient times. Collectively, they formed an alliance known as the Council of Three Fires, among other similar designations. Both the Ottawa and Potawatomi identify as Anishinabe, a term which translates roughly to “the people” or “the original people.”

 

The native peoples originally inhabited the western shore of Lake Huron until they were forced westward by their formidable rivals, the Iroquois. Hemmed in by the Sioux to the west, their movement was limited. The Potawatomi eventually settled in two distinct regions: one group in Illinois and Indiana, known as the Prairie Potawatomie, and another in Northern Wisconsin and Michigan, referred to as the Forest Potawatomie. While it's unclear which specific branch of the Algonquins occupied Walled Lake prior to American settlement, it is believed to have been primarily Forest Potawatomi, with some presence of the Ottawa as well.

 

Many historical accounts of Michigan, particularly those concerning Walled Lake, often describe the Native Americans of the region as entirely peaceful and welcoming. However, this portrayal oversimplifies the history of the Potawatomi, whose past is far more nuanced and complex.

 

As Americans expanded westward into the Northwest Territories, Native Americans grew increasingly resentful toward the settlers. Sensing the impending threat of displacement from their ancestral lands, they feared losing their homes and way of life. During the War of 1812, the Potawatomi allied with British forces in an attempt to halt American westward expansion. A notable example of this resistance occurred on August 15, 1812, during the Battle of Fort Dearborn. Potawatomi warriors from St. Joseph traveled to Chicago, where they ambushed the American militia. The attack was brutal, with reports of Potawatomi warriors tomahawking children and eventually surrounding and killing Captain Wells of the American militia. According to accounts, a Potawatomi named Pee-so-tum "sank his tomahawk into the captain’s brain, tore off his scalp, and cut out his heart.” The Indians then “cut it into pieces and ate it."

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The significance of this event continues to resonate in Walled Lake, as the Potawatomi were a nomadic people. Many from the St. Joseph settlement frequently traveled between Detroit and other regions via the Great Indian Trail, which ran directly through Walled Lake. Numerous records mention that Native Americans often stopped in the village to trade and engage with the local community. The Potawatomi’s movements were guided by the seasonal migrations of animals, shaping their travel routes throughout the year. It is likely that the Potawatomi of St. Joseph were, in some way, connected or associated with those who camped near Walled Lake.

 

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There is no definitive record identifying the exact Native American tribe that frequented the village of Walled Lake, though it is widely believed to have been primarily the Potawatomi. According to local accounts, Walter Hewitt mentioned that these Native Americans would camp along the western shore of the lake, near what is now the Walled Lake Cemetery. Regarding early settlement, the location was between Deacon William Tenney’s house and the lake's western shore. H.O. Severance noted that the exact campsite was once marked by two apple trees and two pear trees, though no source is provided for this claim. The Native Americans were known to trade goods with the early American settlers, exchanging venison, berries, moccasins, and fish for pork, salt, potatoes, and bread. They were also known to frequent Jesse Tuttle's tavern, where they would drink and socialize.

 

Cornelius Austin maintained a close and friendly relationship with the Potawatomi in the area. He reportedly witnessed gatherings of up to 500 Native Americans at a campground on the west side of the lake. Austin was often invited to observe and participate in their green corn dances, which featured dancing, feasting, and drinking. Reflecting on his experiences, Austin remarked, "As neighbors, none could have been better."

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On November 17th, 1807, the Treaty of Detroit was signed, involving the Ottawas, Chippewas, Wyandots, and Potawatomis. This treaty ceded nearly all the land in southeastern Michigan to the United States in exchange for a grossly inadequate payment. Although the treaty permitted these tribes to continue using the land for hunting, fishing, and gathering, this right was limited to "until the land is required for settlement."

The Treaty of Detroit set the precedent for around 40 similar treaties to be signed in the following years, each one gradually forcing Native Americans further west. This process ultimately led to the near elimination of Indigenous peoples east of the Mississippi River. By 1833, the Potawatomi had been almost entirely displaced from Michigan. They were repeatedly pushed westward until they were confined to reservations in present-day Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.

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References:​

1. Winger, Otho. The Potawatomi Indians: The History, Trails and Chiefs of the Potawatomi Native American Tribe. Adansonia Press, 2019. ​

2. LeBeau, Patrick Russell. Rethinking Michigan Indian History. Michigan State University Press, 2005. 

Severance, Henry Ormal. The Story of a Village Community. G. E. Stechert & Co, 1931. ​

3. “A Short History of Treaties.” Michiganology, 12 May 2022, michiganology.org/stories/a-short-history-of-treaties/#:~:text=The%20Treaty%20of%20Detroit%20was,for%20the%20United%20States%20government.