View of Battle Creek, Calhoun County, M.I., 1870 / drawn & published by A. Ruger.
This bird’s-eye view print of Battle Creek, Michigan was drawn and published by Albert Ruger around 1870. Battle Creek was settled in the early 1830's along the creek by the same name. The creek powered saw mills that were erected along it, beginning in the late 1830's. A brick works was established at Battle Creek in 1840.
Battle Creek was the marketing and mill center for the region’s farmers. A number of important mills of the village would later receive much attention, including the flouring mills of L. C. Kellogg.
In 1866 the Battle Creek Sanitarium opened its doors as Western Health Reform Institute. The healthful retreat, using hydrotherapy, physical exercise and dietary techniques, operated under principles advocated by the Seventh-Day Adventist church.
Battle Creek could be reached via the Michigan Central Railroad at that time.
The map shows labeled roads, buildings, bridges, waterways and railroad route.