Walking Tours

Kalamazoo River & Rice Creek

The 0.85 mile self-guided River Walk features five pedestrian bridges, boat and canoe launches, scenic overlooks and wildlife. A great deal of Marshall’s early history was lived along the Kalamazoo River and its tributary Rice Creek. The walk is wheelchair accessible. Visitors are encouraged to practice responsible stewardship of this valuable resource.

Marshall’s River Walk is part of the Calhoun County Linear Trailway System and the North Country National Scenic Trail, which runs through seven states from New York State to North Dakota. Mileages noted are measured from the east entrance at Stuart’s Landing and do not include the side attractions. Numbers below correspond to points of interest shown on the birds eye view guide map.

1. Stuart’s Landing (0 start) This site was used by Alfred Stuart to launch .his fishing boat. He and Win Schuler loved to fish together. In earlier times, Marshall residents enjoyed swimming, ice skating, and fishing on the mill pond. Frances Stevens Stuart created Stuart’s Landing as a memorial to her husband, a longtime Marshall attorney, judge and sportsman. Today the park features a band shell, restrooms, parking, picnic pavilion, grills, benches, fishing dock and boat/canoe/kayak ramp.
2. Mill Pond Over ow/Dam (.05 mile) In the spring this area can turn into a raging river race. In 1853 the first brewery in Marshall was located to the south with a cellar carved in the sandstone for storage. In the 1880s a “Barrel House” was maintained in the original cellar by the Eagle Brewery which was located west of S. Marshall Ave.
3. Ketchum’s Mill (.13 mile) A large axle from the “First Stone Flour Mill” (built 1837 by town founder Sidney Ketchum) can still be seen on the river bank below S. Marshall Ave at the waterfall and dam. The mill was rebuilt following three major fires in the 1850s and finally torn down in 1881. Celebrated escaped slave Adam Crosswhite, who was rescued by more than 100 Marshall residents in 1847, was said to have hidden in this mill before escaping to Canada.
4. Power House (.22 mile) In1893, the City of Marshall purchased the hydroelectric plant from the Perrin Estate for $17,000. The City built a new dam and added two waterwheel generators and two streetlight arc machines. The current facility produces both hydro and diesel electric power. The last turbine generator was installed in 1928. Diesel power was first generated in 1922. Although none of the original equipment remains, much of the powerhouse and wheel-pit are still in existence. It is claimed that this is the second oldest operating hydroelectric utility plant under original ownership in the United States.
5. Pagoda/Canoes/Brewery (.3 mile) A beautiful cultural icon was added to the Riverwalk in 2001 when local residents Jay and Karen Larson arranged for an authentic pagoda to be constructed in China and shipped to Marshall. As you stand at the canoe launch, look across the river and see evidence of the Eagle Brewery in the form of a deteriorated cavern and sandstone quarry. Some 10,000 barrels were claimed to have been produced in 1895. A paved pedestrian, bike and rollerblade path extends to the west parallel to the Riverwalk from this point. The City Public Service Building (PSB) to the north has restrooms available.
6. Perrinville (.4 mile) During the early 1800s, Marshall industrialist Horace Perrin controlled so much of the industry and commerce in this area that it became known as Perrinville. By 1860, Perrin had built machine shops, a distillery, foundry, and flour mill here. In the late 1800s, the Rock River Paper Company was located at this site. Rubble from the industrial past is still visible. The City’s PSB facility now occupies the site.
7. “Bums Alley” (.6 mile) The walk extension along Rice Creek under the RR bridge takes you through “Bums Alley.” During the Great Depression, men who rode the rails looking for work regularly stopped here to beg for money at nearby houses. When these travelers would find a free meal they would leave a mark on the curb to indicate to others that a meal had been given out at that location. The large rock “Territorial Road Monument” located in Carver Park was moved from “Bums Alley.”
8. Ketchum’s Vision at Rice Creek (.65 mile) “What a town I could build here!” Marshall’s founder, Sidney Ketchum, is said to have stated in 1830 while standing at the confluence of the Kalamazoo River and Rice Creek. At this location in 1831 Ketchum built a sawmill and a gristmill the next year. The Pearl St. access area with parking and picnic tables is located just west of Rice Creek.
9. Sausage Factory (.8 mile) In 1923, C.M. Walters built a sausage factory at this location. From 1924 to 1959 the Sentz and Son Meat Packing Company operated just east of the demolished sausage factory. The steps lead to a pub on Pearl St. and a brewery to the north.
10. S. Kalamazoo Ave Bridge (.85) West Riverwalk entrance.

Fields, wetlands, forest, and lake shore are all part of the park’s ecosystem. Some of the hardwood trees along Stuart Lake are estimated to be over 300 years old. The diverse ecology includes waterfowl and many types of birds and mammals. Native prairie grasses and wildflowers have been re-introduced to 88 acres of the Nature Area. Miles of groomed trails await visitors. Hiking, birding, biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, dog walking and jogging are just a few of the activities available. This 180 acre City Park is located southeast of the Cemetery off Homer Road, in the 1100 block of 18 1/2 Mile Road.

There are currently 2.3 miles of maintained trails within the park, with more being established. The park’s terrain is relatively flat with a variety of habitats to enjoy.

Trailhead (0.25 Miles) – This stretch of the trail system extends from the trailhead parking area on 18 ½ Mile Rd and connects to the North Prairie Trail. The trail borders a restored native tallgrass prairie with views of Stuart Lake. This is a good spot to view sandhill cranes, blue heron, Canada geese and numerous duck species.

North Prairie Trail (0.7 Miles) – This trail travels along a restored tallgrass prairie, wetland, and wooded areas. Frogs can often be seen along the trail near the wetland area.

Woodland Loop (0.4 Miles) – Shady, wooded areas are found along this loop which borders prairie and farmland. Woodland birds such as the pileated woodpecker might be spotted here.

South Prairie Trail (0.7 Miles) – This trail borders tallgrass prairie with views of Stuart Lake and mature woods. Take notice of the numerous bird houses and their residents along the way.

Lakeshore Loop (0.25 Miles) – Three hundred-year old cherry and oak trees can be viewed along this trail through shady, mature woods. A variety of other forest species are also visible from the trail. Outstanding views of StuartLake are another highlight of this loop.

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