The Marshall County Park Board held an Open House Saturday, August 3 at the old West Township Trustee’s Cabin at Memorial Forest located at 18452 14th Road south of Plymouth off of State Road 17.
As the board members were conducting their monthly meeting, 93-year-old Warren Bickel walked into the cabin and the board members greeted him and he commented that he has a little bit of history with the cabin. Bickel said that his grandfather, Noah Bickel, was born in the Trustee’s Cabin in 1866. He believed that his grandfather lived in the log cabin for 18 years.
He presented information that Henry Bickel bought the cabin from Hiram Lyon who was the then-West Township Trustee in 1862. Henry sold the cabin in 1884 to Joseph Nifer.
The cabin used to be located at 10108 State Road 17 across from the now demolished old West Township School south of Plymouth.
Another attendee, Bob Albert, who has been living in the area for several decades, said his father helped plant Memorial Forest following World War I.
Board member Richard Markley said some artifacts will be placed in the cabin when collected. If there are any artifacts, they can be donated to the park board.
Several other community members stopped by at the property to look at the cabin and walk on the trails. A disc golf course is in the works at Memorial Forest as well.
