Houghton, Douglass, 1809-1845

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The Michigan Geological Survey was created by Public Act 20 of 1837. Its purpose was to conduct a geological and mineralogical survey of the state. The state legislature appointed Douglass Houghton the first state geologist (1837). In 1921, the state legislature established the Department of Conservation, and the Michigan Geological Survey became part of that department (Public Act 17 of 1921). The Department of Conservation established the Geological Survey Division circa 1947. In 1968, the department was renamed the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (Public Act 353 of 1968). In 1995, Governor John Engler separated the environmental protection and natural resources conservation functions of the DNR, and created the Department of Environmental Quality (Executive Reorganization Order 1995-16). The Geological Survey Division was transferred to the Department of Environmental Quality.

From the description of Records from and relating to Douglass Houghton, 1827-1952. (State Archive of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 49522682

Born in Troy, N.Y., Sept. 21, 1809; graduated from Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1829; remained there as junior professor of Chemistry; delivered scientific lectures in Detroit in 1830 attracting great audiences; licensed to practice medicine, 1831; explored sources of Mississippi; settled in Detroit, practicing physician & surgeon, 1832-1837; appointed professor of geology, mineralogy & chemistry, U. of M., 1838; explored south coast of Lake Superior, 1840; mayor of Detroit, 1842; member of several scientific societies; drowned in lake Superior during an exploration, Oct. 13, 1845. (from Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography) (Blue index cards)

From the description of Douglass Houghton papers, 1821-1839 (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 435447652

Douglass Houghton was an American geologist and physician, primarily known for his exploration of the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan. He explored the area in 1831 and 1832, and conducted a survey of the peninsula in 1840 as State Geologist of the newly formed state of Michigan. Houghton's report of 1841, which resulted from his survey, was eighty-eight pages in length and he spent more than twenty-seven pages discussing the copper and copper ore he witnessed in his travels. He famously concluded, "the copper ores are not only of superior quality, but also that their associations are such as to render them easily reduced." He noted that samples of ore he had tested were richer than the copper ore being then mined in Cornwall. He also famously warned against prospectors rushing to the area in hopes of striking it rich: "look closely before the step is taken, which will most certainly end in disappointment and ruin." Nevertheless, Houghton's report prompted a major rush of settlers to the peninsula. Douglass Houghton was drowned in Lake Superior, near the mouth of Eagle River, during a violent storm, on October 13, 1845. His body was recovered in May of the following year. He was returned to Detroit and buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

From the description of Douglass Houghton Papers, 1830-1846. (Michigan Technological University). WorldCat record id: 758512045

Physician, naturalist, scientist, surveyor, and the first State Geologist of Michigan, Houghton was one of the earliest surveyors of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. A county, city, lake, and three villages in Michigan are named for him. For further biographical information, read Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography.

From the description of Papers, 1830-1846. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 37364565

State geologist of Michigan.

From the description of Transcription of Douglass Houghton field notes, 1839-1840. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 80525890

From the description of [Douglass Houghton map series]. [1837?-1845?] (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 35065168

From the description of Douglass Houghton papers, 1830-1846. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34423104

From the description of Douglass Houghton papers, 1829-1845. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34420014

As Michigan's first state geologist, Douglass Houghton was responsible for the expansion of scientific knowledge of the state's geography and geology in the period immediately after statehood. The results of his work had an important influence on the economic development of the state, especially in the development of copper mining in the Keweenaw Peninsula, but also in the exploitation of salt springs and, through the Geological Survey's mapping program, in the growth of the agricultural counties in the southern part of the state.

Houghton was born in Troy, New York, in 1809, but moved shortly afterward to Fredonia, New York. He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic in 1829, and became assistant professor of chemistry there. The following year he was invited to Detroit as a lecturer and remained a resident of Michigan for the rest of his life.

Houghton served as surgeon and botanist with Henry R. Schoolcraft's 1831 and 1832 expeditions to the source of the Mississippi River. He practiced medicine in Detroit for several years and helped organize the Detroit Young Men's Society in 1833, becoming the society's second president.

In 1837 Houghton persuaded the state legislature to establish a geological survey to conduct a comprehensive study of Michigan's natural resources. He was appointed the first state geologist the same year. During the summers of the following years, Houghton and his assistants, chiefly Bela Hubbard, Sylvester Higgins, and William Burt, conducted field work in the northern parts of the state: in 1838 the Lake Huron and Lake Michigan shores of the Lower Peninsula were surveyed; in 1839 the eastern and southern parts of the Upper Peninsula from Sault Ste. Marie to Green Bay; in 1840 the Lake Superior coast and the copper region of Keweenaw Point; in 1841 the Michigan-Wisconsin boundary, the Ontonagon River area, and the Marquette iron region.

Houghton proposed in 1843 that the U.S. land survey of the Upper Peninsula be combined with the state geological survey of the area. The following summer he contracted to perform the combined surveys. While engaged in the survey of the Keweenaw Peninsula in 1845 Houghton drowned in a fall storm on Lake Superior.

After Houghton's death, the surveys he had contracted to do were taken over by Hubbard, Higgins, and William Ives. In 1846 Hubbard and Burt edited and published a report on the copper region based on Houghton's notes from his 1845 survey.

From the guide to the Douglass Houghton Papers, 1829-1845, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Houghton, Douglass, 1809-1845. Records from and relating to Douglass Houghton, 1827-1952. State Archive of Michigan
referencedIn Douglass family (Detroit and Ann Arbor, Mich.) papers, 1812-1911, 1837-1900 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Higgins, Sylvester W. Map of Jackson County / S.W. Higgins, topographer to Geol. Surv. ; C.C. Douglass and Bela Hubbard, assistant geologists. State Archive of Michigan
referencedIn Nute, Grace Lee, 1895-. Grace Lee Nute papers, 1924-1945, 1957. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Michigan. Geological Survey. Senate Journal number 16 and House Journal number 8, being the third and fourth annual reports of the State Geologist, Douglass Houghton. State Archive of Michigan
creatorOf Houghton, Douglass, 1809-1845. Douglass Houghton papers, 1830-1846. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Michigan. Geological Survey. Records relating to policy, personnel and work accomplishment of the Michigan Department of Conservation, Geological Survey, 1914-1963. State Archive of Michigan
creatorOf Houghton, Douglass, 1809-1845. [Douglass Houghton map series]. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Hale, Augustin W., 1814-1902. Augustin W. Hale papers, 1775-1909 bulk (1830-1859). Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Higgins, Sylvester W. Map of Lenawee County / S.W. Higgins, topographer to Geol. Surv. ; C.C. Douglass and Bela Hubbard, assistant geologists. State Archive of Michigan
creatorOf Douglass Houghton Papers, 1829-1845 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Samuel George Morton Papers, 1819-1850 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Burt, William Austin, 1792-1858. Reports of topographical and geological surveys, 1845-1848. State Archive of Michigan
creatorOf Thayer, George W. Lucius Lyon papers, 1770-1934, bulk 1833-1851. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Douglass family. Douglass family (Detroit and Ann Arbor, Mich.) map series, 1838-1865. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Higgins, Sylvester W. [Map of Sanilac County, Michigan]. State Archive of Michigan
referencedIn Grace Lee Nute papers., 1924-1945, 1957. Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Houghton, Douglass, 1809-1845. Records from and relating to Douglass Houghton, 1827-1952. State Archive of Michigan
referencedIn Michigan. Geological Survey Division. Records of the Department of Natural Resources, Geological Survey Division, 1837-1970. State Archive of Michigan
creatorOf Houghton, Douglass, 1809-1845. Papers, 1830-1846. Clarke Historical Library
creatorOf Martin, Helen M. (Helen Mandeville), 1889-1973. Helen Martin materials, 1820-1971. State Archive of Michigan
referencedIn Lucius Lyon papers (1770-1934, bulk 1833-1851) William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Higgins, Sylvester W. Map of Calhoun County County / S.W. Higgins, topographer to Geol. Surv. ; C.C. Douglass and Bela Hubbard, assistant geologists. State Archive of Michigan
referencedIn Pitezel, John H., 1814-1906. Papers, 1824-1889. Clarke Historical Library
creatorOf Houghton, Douglass 1809-1845. Douglass Houghton Papers, 1830-1846. Michigan Technological University, J.R. Van Pelt & Opie Library; Michigan Tech
referencedIn Schoolcraft, Henry Rowe, 1793-1864. Henry Rowe Schoolcraft papers, 1826-1841. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Sager, Abram, 1810-1877. Abram Sager papers, 1838-1876. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Bela Hubbard papers, 1837-1893 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn A History of Michigan in Paintings, ca. 1964-1967 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Houghton, Douglass, 1809-1845. Transcription of Douglass Houghton field notes, 1839-1840. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Houghton, Douglass, 1809-1845. [Maps, published under the direction of Douglass Houghton]. State Archive of Michigan
creatorOf Hopkins, Lydia C. Lydia C. Hopkins papers, 1825-1876. Detroit Public Library, Detroit Main Library
creatorOf Higgins, Sylvester W. Map of Washtenaw County / S.W. Higgins, topographer to Geol. Surv. ; C.C. Douglass and Bela Hubbard, assistant geologists. State Archive of Michigan
referencedIn Stead, Frank E. Dr. Douglass Houghton's Field Notes, July 15-August 13, 1837, 1995. Clarke Historical Library
referencedIn Houghton, Jacob, 1827-1903. Jacob Houghton papers, 1845-1907. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Houghton, Douglass, 1809-1845. Douglass Houghton papers, 1821-1839 Detroit Public Library, Detroit Main Library
referencedIn Douglas family. Douglass family (Detroit and Ann Arbor, Mich.) papers, 1812-1911. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Michigan. Geological Survey Division. Records and photographs of the State Geologists, 1871-1999. State Archive of Michigan
referencedIn Edward H. Thomson papers 1826-1924 1836-1885 Thomson, Edward H. papers William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Houghton, Douglass, 1809-1845. Douglass Houghton papers, 1829-1845. Bentley Historical Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Baughman, John A. person
correspondedWith Baxter, Witter J. person
correspondedWith Bradish, Lydia Houghton person
correspondedWith Brush, Edmund A. person
associatedWith Douglas family. family
associatedWith Douglass family. family
associatedWith Douglass Family. family
associatedWith Douglas, Silas H. (Silas Hamilton), 1816-1890. person
associatedWith Ehlers, John, Mrs. person
associatedWith Ehlers, John, Mrs. person
associatedWith Hale, Augustin W., 1814-1902. person
associatedWith Higgins, Sylvester W. person
associatedWith Hopkins, Lydia C. person
correspondedWith Houghton, Alured person
associatedWith Houghton and Hubbard. corporateBody
correspondedWith Houghton, Douglass, Mrs. person
associatedWith Houghton, Jacob, 1827-1903. person
correspondedWith Houghton, Jacob, d. 1861 person
correspondedWith Houghton, Mary Lydia person
correspondedWith Houghton, Richard person
associatedWith Hubbard, Bela, 1814-1896. person
associatedWith Hubbard, Henry. person
associatedWith Hubbard, Henry G., 1813-1845. person
associatedWith Martin, Helen M. (Helen Mandeville), 1889-1973. person
associatedWith Mason, Stevens Thomson, 1811-1843. person
associatedWith Michigan. Geological Survey. corporateBody
associatedWith Michigan. Geological Survey Division. corporateBody
associatedWith Morton, Samuel George, 1799-1851 person
associatedWith Nute, Grace Lee, 1895- person
associatedWith Pitezel, John H., 1814-1906. person
associatedWith Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute corporateBody
associatedWith Sager, Abram, 1810-1877. person
associatedWith Schoolcraft, Henry Rowe, 1793-1864. person
associatedWith Stead, Frank E. person
associatedWith St. Paul's Church (Detroit, Mich.) corporateBody
associatedWith St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Detroit, Mich.) corporateBody
associatedWith Thayer, George W. person
associatedWith Thayer, George W. person
associatedWith Thom, Robert A. person
associatedWith Thomson, Edward H. person
correspondedWith Thomson, E. H. (Edward H.) person
correspondedWith Walker, Henry N. (Henry Nelson), 1811-1886 person
associatedWith Woodbridge, William, 1780-1861. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Kent County (Mich.)
Emmet County (Mich.)
Emmet County (Mich.)
Alcona County (Mich.)
Mississippi River
Minnesota
Michigan
Houghton County (Mich.)
Isle Royale (Mich.)
Huron County (Mich.)
Oceana County (Mich.)
Huron County (Mich.)
Menominee County (Mich.)
Alpena County (Mich.)
Mackinac County (Mich.)
Newaygo County (Mich.)
Houghton County (Mich.)
Bay County (Mich.)
Schoolcraft County (Mich.)
Schoolcraft County (Mich.)
Gogebic County (Mich.)
Manistee County (Mich.)
Newaygo County (Mich.)
Gratiot County (Mich.)
Tuscola County (Mich.)
Grand Traverse County (Mich.)
Antrim County (Mich.)
Alpena County (Mich.)
Upper Peninsula (Mich.)
New York (State)
Luce County (Mich.)
Sanilac County (Mich.)
Michigan--Upper Peninsula
Gratiot County (Mich.)
Iosco County (Mich.)
Michigan
Mason County (Mich.)
Upper Peninsula (Mich.)
Delta County (Mich.)
Oceana County (Mich.)
Superior, Lake
Keweenaw Peninsula (Mich.)
Marquette (Mich.)
Chippewa County (Mich.)
Grand Traverse County (Mich.)
Presque Isle County (Mich.)
Leelanau County (Mich.)
Lower Peninsula (Mich.)
Delta County (Mich.)
Baraga County (Mich.)
Leelanau County (Mich.)
Ontonagon County (Mich.)
Benzie County (Mich.)
Ottawa County (Mich.)
Van Buren County (Mich.)
Detroit (Mich.)
Alcona County (Mich.)
Benzie County (Mich.)
Muskegon County (Mich.)
Charlevoix County (Mich.)
Iosco County (Mich.)
Menominee County (Mich.)
Mackinac County (Mich.)
Sanilac County (Mich.)
Ontonagon County (Mich.)
Presque Isle County (Mich.)
Saginaw County (Mich.)
Arenac County (Mich.)
Cheboygan County (Mich.)
Wisconsin
Upper Peninsula (Mich.)
Kalamazoo County (Mich.)
Antrim County (Mich.)
Charlevoix County (Mich.)
Cheboygan County (Mich.)
Ottawa County (Mich.)
Saginaw County (Mich.)
Marquette (Mich.)
Superior, Lake, Region
Baraga County (Mich.)
Luce County (Mich.)
Superior, Lake
Mason County (Mich.)
Kent County (Mich.)
Lower Peninsula (Mich.)
Chippewa County (Mich.)
Bay County (Mich.)
Keweenaw County (Mich.)
Michigan--Upper Peninsula
Muskegon County (Mich.)
Upper Peninsula (Mich.)
Arenac County (Mich.)
Manistee County (Mich.)
Keweenaw Peninsula (Mich.)
Isle Royale (Mich.)
Gogebic County (Mich.)
Kalamazoo County (Mich.)
Michigan
Keweenaw County (Mich.)
Subject
Copper mines and mining
Geologists
Geologists
Geology
Geology
Geology
Geology
Geology
Surveyors
Surveyors
Surveys
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1809-09-21

Death 1845-10-13

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