Fox's Corner
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The area remembered as Fox’s Corner was settled by three brothers. James, John, and Phillip Fox owned land on the north side of today’s Vergennes Street from Alden Nash Avenue to Lincoln Lake Avenue, then north along Lincoln Lake Avenue until north of Burroughs Street, and east to the Flat River. Philip Fox farmed and is buried at the Fox’s Corner Cemetery. He and his wife lived on the farm for 46 years. James Fox farmed and after settling in Vergennes Township, lived his life here. He was called a kind and indulgent father and grandfather, and a good neighbor. He is buried in the Krum-Blanding Cemetery on Vergennes Street. John Fox moved to Grand Rapids, serving as the Register of Deeds and also Mayor. He engaged in trade on Monroe Avenue in Grand Rapids, was general steamboat agent and also worked in the flour and wheat trade. Later in life he returned to Vergennes Township, and then the Village of Lowell. Several of the early Supervisors of Vergennes Township were from Fox’s Corners. They included Rodney Robinson, John J. Devendorf, Arba Richards, Morgan Lyon, Lucas Robinson, and Philip W. Fox. At one time the river valley at Burroughs Street had a dam and spillway that supplied power to a lumber mill and grist mill, and there were several small houses. The original Burrough Street bridge crossing the Flat River was a covered bridge. It was washed out by a log jam and the farmers used hayracks to bring the bridge back. Ed Alger was the engineer in charge when the historical iron and plank bridge on Burroughs Street was built. In 1995 this bridge was moved to Portland Michigan and is currently a pedestrian bridge spanning the Looking Glass River. Further south, on the northeast side of the intersection of Lincoln Lake Avenue and Vergennes Street was the Fox School. The school was not on the corner, but up on the hill. The first schoolhouse was built of logs, and in the 1870’s a new wood frame school was built. A little south of the intersection is the Fox’s Corner Cemetery. The earliest known burial here is James Thompson, a child, buried in 1842. The cemetery is technically closed, but the last burial will be David Thompson, descendant of James Thompson Sr, who was among the earliest settlers in Vergennes Township. The area has maintained a commercial presence with businesses coming and going over the years. The Cemetery is today’s only historical reminder of the area once known as Fox’s Corners. Images: 1876 Plat Book Sketch of the Fox's Corner area at today's Lincoln Lake and Vergennes intersection. The house is still there. Fox School Fox's Corner Wagon and Buggy Shop, exact location unknown Bisbee Bridge Bieri Home in Fox's corner where J&H now stands. Paddle wheel from Burroughs Mill Hitching Post from Burroughs Mill Fox's Corner Cemetery Sign |
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