This collection contains original, typescript and facsimile items in the form of public records, letters, reports and land deeds involving Louis Campau, Antoine Campau and other Campau relatives and associates.

Louis Campau's original land deed contracts include Campau either buying, selling or acting as a third party. A metal plate for printing a Campau land grant is also included. Other original documents include Campau’s last will and testament and the probate proceedings of his estate. A letter written by his nephew, Anthony Campau, describes his death, funeral and importance to the city of Grand Rapids. Letters written to a Mrs. Caroline Campbell of the DAR by Adolphe T. Campau of the Michigan Soldiers Home in Grand Rapids, or by E. Alice T. Miller of St. Ann’s Church (Detroit), contain valuable information about Campau’s past including military records, marriage and baptismal records. Other documents attempt to explain Campau’s role in Grand Rapids history. These include reports by James H. and Mrs. James H. Campbell on the history of Fulton Street Park and those by Albert Hyma on the account book of Louis Moran.

Eight original land deeds are handwritten or formatted types. Other legal documents include Campau’s last will and testament, written in his 78th year, outlining how his inheritance should be divided between his brother, Touissant, and his three sons. A Kent County document from 1871 appointed Julius Houseman as the administrator of his estate. A letter written by nephew Anthony Campau to his sister, Mrs. Martin Ryerson, describes Uncle Louis’ death and funeral and future plans to commemorate him. Attached to that letter are the proceedings of the Common Council from April 17, 1871, recognizing Campau as the founder of Grand Rapids and an important part of the city’s history. Eight later typed letters and copies of documents are those sent to Mrs. Caroline Campbell from St. Ann’s Church, Detroit. These include a Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, describing Campau’s military service, and records indicating that Campau married Sophie de Marsac in 1818, before his first wife died. Another letter written to Mrs. Campbell describes the ancestry of Sophie de Marsac and includes the marriage and baptismal records. James H. Campbell’s 1922 report on Fulton Street Park explains the controversy surrounding the title to the Park. Based upon information in the April 11, 1963 report by Albert Hyma, it appears that the Louis Moran account book does not have information on Grand Rapids but does mention a Louis Campau in 1809, 1816 and 1817 entries. Campau apparently boarded with Moran, and may have worked for him.