Lumber Barons
Charles Henry Hackley (born January 3, 1837; died January 10, 1905) was an important figure in the history of Muskegon, Michigan. He arrived in Muskegon in 1856, and created (with business partner Thomas Hume) the Hackley-Hume Lumber Mill on Muskegon Lake. The mill operated successfully in 1856-1894, closing in 1894 after most of Michigan's Lower Peninsula had been effectively deforested. While many lumber mill owners moved their operations to the Pacific Northwest, Hackley remained in Muskegon and focused on urban revitalization of that city.
Hackley became Muskegon's biggest philanthropist. In his own words: "A rich man
to a great extent owes his fortune to the public. He makes money largely through
the labor of his employees....Moreover, I believe that it should be expended
during the lifetime of the donor, so that he can see that his benefactions do
not miscarry and are according to his intent....To a certain extent, I agree
with Mr. Carnegie....that it is a crime to die rich."
carriage house "barn" in back of the housese
side view of the carriage house
Charles Hackley's gifts to the city of Muskegon were valued at $12.0 million in
1905. They included:
* Hackley Public Library - Site, building, contents, and an endowment
Hackley Public Library
* Hackley Art Gallery - Site, building, contents, and an acquisition fund
(renamed Muskegon Museum of Art)
* Hackley Park - Park, statues, and soldier's monument
* Hackley Manual Training School and Gymnasium - Site, building, and equipment
(original home to Muskegon Community College, renamed Hackley Administration
Building)
* Hackley Athletic Field (renamed Hackley Stadium - seats 10,000 for Muskegon
High School football games)
* Hackley Hospital - Site, buildings, medical supplies and equipment, and an
endowment
* City of Muskegon - Poor Fund Endowment
* Julia E. Hackley Educational Fund Endowment
* Muskegon Humane Union Endowment
* C. H. Hackley Hose Company No. 2
Thomas Hume House
Hackley Business partner
Thomas Hume House
Hackley was much more than a philanthropist, he along with business partner Thomas Hume were strong supporters of the city of Muskegon. Armed with funding from the Muskegon Industrial fund, Hackley and Hume were able to convince several companies to open shop in Muskegon, growth of these companies (most notably Brunswick, Central Paper Co (now Sappi Fine Paper) and Continental Motors (now L-3 Communications Inc.) would later provide thousands of jobs to Muskegonites for much of the twentieth century. Hackley is not only credited with his gifts to the city, but also stopping the ebb of people leaving Muskegon for jobs elsewhere after the lumber industry folded.
Thomas Hume House
Both Charles Hackley and Thomas Hume's homes are still standing, and after a
major restoration in the mid 1990s, are open for tour to community visitors.
Also open for tour is The City Barn which served as the pairs stable for horses
and equipment. In addition, a replica of the building that housed the C. H.
Hackley Hose Company No. 2 also serves as a museum. All are part of the Muskegon
County Museum which is located downtown.
Text from Wikipedia
parents house
married into the Lumber Barron family
Hackley - Holt House
now a B&B
Queen Anne style
porches
and turrets
