Retired in Ann Arbor: The Rock

I found a great book at the annual Flea Market at the Ann Arbor City Club, called Ann Arbor Annotated*, published in 1980.

While I was reading this book of Ann Arbor facts and trivia, I learned some interesting information about The Rock at the corner of Hill and Washtenaw.


Many boulders were gathered by the first settlers to build foundations for their homes, but there was one huge chunk of Canadian limestone left in a gravel pit on Pontiac Trail, that was destined for fame.

Eli Gallup moved the rock to Ann Arbor from its original location in 1932, to become a memorial for George Washington, on his 200th birthday.  Originally, the rock was painted gray, and had a copper plaque with a tribute to President Washington.

According to the book, there is a box containing the rock's history and origin buried in the foundation for the rock.  Wouldn't it be interesting to see what a time capsule from the year 1932 would contain?    And I wonder how many coats of paint have been added since the original coat of 'respectable' gray?