I am discovering I have some wonderful readers that are able to contribute additional information -- and that is great, because it just makes this information website all the better.
Over the last couple of weeks, I have received some e-mails with information on recent posts.
The first update is in regards to my post of October 23, 2012, "1992 Poster Center Top," which you can check out by clicking here. I posed the question if anyone knew where News and Views was located at that time. According to one of my readers, they were located on North Second Street, in the two-story house just north of what is now an empty lot at the northeast corner of North Second and East Grand River. As a side note, that empty lot is also the location of the old Spencer House (originally known as the Spencer Exchange) -- feel free to search on either of those names and read some interesting history.
The second update is in regards to a recently posted team pictures showing Charles Gehringer. The picture was donated to the library by Don Knodle and you can check out the post by clicking here. One of the other players identified in the picture was Howard Canfield. According to my reader, "he died in 2000 at age 98 and up 'til the end, was driving to Florida for the winter and fishing everyday at his cabin up north in the summer. A character in the best sense of the word! He made braided leather key chain fobs, which I still have on my cabin keys." Thank you, dear reader, for this information.
The last update brought two bits of information. One reader left a comment -- which I absolutely love when anyone leaves a comment -- which you can read by clicking here. In addition to Mike G's comment, the following information was sent to me: "Just cruised thru your blog. The lettering on the door of the 2nd floor of the Harmon building is Ron Dillingham. Fred's younger brother. He started his insurance business there (Steve Horton remembers helping Ron paint the office that lovely shade of green). When I came here in 1990, Ron had purchased an existing insurance business from Mr. White in Webberville and moved there. Later in the late 90's, he moved to Tennessee to become an adjuster for the parent company."
Thank you once again to anyone posting comments or passing along information through e-mail. It may sometimes take me awhile to get these updates on the website, but they will eventually show up!
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Sunday, February 20, 2011
1891 General Custer's Horse
There is so much information to post regarding Fowlerville, years and years of articles, pictures, and miscellaneous tidbits will clutter this website -- but once in a while, it is fun to step outside of the village and show an article that catches my eye. The following is one such blurb published in The Fowlerville Review by G.L. Adams in late 1891:
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Watercolors
One of the four people I dedicated my book, The Fowlerville Chronicles, to was Nellie Glenn. For those of you that may have never heard her name, she was a historian for the village in the mid-1900s, passing away in 1975 at the age of 90. A huge amount of the materials, documents, remembrances, and memoriabilia from various celebrations, to be found in the Fowlerville Historical Collection is due in a major part to Nellie Glenn.
Until recently, I didn't realize she was also an artist. I'm sure she wouldn't mind, posthumously, if I show some of her work that can be found in the Fowlerville Library. Head there, ask directions to where the computers are, and then look on the walls. These are some wonderful depictions of some of the old, and now non-existent, buildings.
The first one shown is of the Spencer House, which was located at the northeast corner of North Second Street and East Grand River. It was torn down around 1915.
The next one was labeled the Lutheran Church. A brick structure now houses that congregation. 
Next, this drawing is of two of the schoolhouses that used to be located at about where the Senior Citizen building now stands. The white, wooden schoolhouse burned down in 1921, and the red, brick schoolhouse was torn down in 1957. 
The nickname for the following picture of the Reason House was "Independence Hall." It was located at the southwest corner of South Grand and West Grand River Avenue. It burned down in 1878 and by 1880, the Commercial Hotel, a brick structure, stood in its place. 
The last picture shows what the northeast quadrant would have looked like along about 1874. These wooden structures burned in a huge conflagration in 1891. By the end of that year, over 13 new brick buildings were being constructed in the downtown area. 
So now, with this very slight taste of some of Fowlerville's history, you might consider checking out all of the other posts on this website . . . or purchasing a copy of my book, The Fowlerville Chronicles.
Happy reading!
Until recently, I didn't realize she was also an artist. I'm sure she wouldn't mind, posthumously, if I show some of her work that can be found in the Fowlerville Library. Head there, ask directions to where the computers are, and then look on the walls. These are some wonderful depictions of some of the old, and now non-existent, buildings.
The first one shown is of the Spencer House, which was located at the northeast corner of North Second Street and East Grand River. It was torn down around 1915.
The next one was labeled the Lutheran Church. A brick structure now houses that congregation. Next, this drawing is of two of the schoolhouses that used to be located at about where the Senior Citizen building now stands. The white, wooden schoolhouse burned down in 1921, and the red, brick schoolhouse was torn down in 1957. The nickname for the following picture of the Reason House was "Independence Hall." It was located at the southwest corner of South Grand and West Grand River Avenue. It burned down in 1878 and by 1880, the Commercial Hotel, a brick structure, stood in its place. The last picture shows what the northeast quadrant would have looked like along about 1874. These wooden structures burned in a huge conflagration in 1891. By the end of that year, over 13 new brick buildings were being constructed in the downtown area. So now, with this very slight taste of some of Fowlerville's history, you might consider checking out all of the other posts on this website . . . or purchasing a copy of my book, The Fowlerville Chronicles.Happy reading!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Changes
The village has decided to dismantle the old building in the northeast quadrant behind Butler Gun. As of Thursday afternoon, the metal sheeting had been removed and all of this rough-sawn cedar was visible. 
I had the opportunity to wander inside and all around the outside of the building as work continued, and found so many interesting things to photograph. I took a ton of pictures and will plan on posting those as squint shots in the future. That future is now getting into the first of the year, with so many other pictures already lined up; i.e., headstones and information in October, aerials in November, miscellaneous and Christmas scenes in December. I also had a chance to stroll through the two-story red house at the corner of East Grand River and South Collins. A couple of days ago it was empty -- by the time I post the squint shots, it might be occupied.
The above building's history is flavored by being a fur trading post in the early 1900s. Will Sidell and Son owned it for a time and some of the older residents may remember delivering skins to this building. In my research for The Fowlerville Chronicles, I came across a few interesting articles and will plan on posting those when I post all of the pictures I took.
The house mentioned above was inhabited by Nellie Glenn and her husband, Dr. Glenn, for many years. I also came across numerous articles on them and will post that information with pictures of the house.
I have such a huge collection of articles and information stored in my laptop from my research -- so much that could not be included in the book -- but it will be included with many of the upcoming squint shots.
For now, you might just want to take a drive through the parking lot behind Save-On to see the progress of the building as it disappears. I'll head back there over the next few days to take pictures and will post those accordingly.
I had the opportunity to wander inside and all around the outside of the building as work continued, and found so many interesting things to photograph. I took a ton of pictures and will plan on posting those as squint shots in the future. That future is now getting into the first of the year, with so many other pictures already lined up; i.e., headstones and information in October, aerials in November, miscellaneous and Christmas scenes in December. I also had a chance to stroll through the two-story red house at the corner of East Grand River and South Collins. A couple of days ago it was empty -- by the time I post the squint shots, it might be occupied. The above building's history is flavored by being a fur trading post in the early 1900s. Will Sidell and Son owned it for a time and some of the older residents may remember delivering skins to this building. In my research for The Fowlerville Chronicles, I came across a few interesting articles and will plan on posting those when I post all of the pictures I took.
The house mentioned above was inhabited by Nellie Glenn and her husband, Dr. Glenn, for many years. I also came across numerous articles on them and will post that information with pictures of the house.
I have such a huge collection of articles and information stored in my laptop from my research -- so much that could not be included in the book -- but it will be included with many of the upcoming squint shots.
For now, you might just want to take a drive through the parking lot behind Save-On to see the progress of the building as it disappears. I'll head back there over the next few days to take pictures and will post those accordingly.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Movers and Shapers
A few more shots from the Historical Village at the 
Fowlerville Fairgrounds, and a thought came to me. This series of pictures encompasses the movers and shapers in our early history.
A train depot sheltered residents before
boarding the trains that may have taken them along the Grand River route from east to west, and north and south from Flint to Detroit. 
This particular building came from the Howell area and has been beautifully restored, with displays inside and detailed trimwork outside.
That represents our movers.
Our shapers?
A school house -- Coughran School, built in 1882. The picture of the window makes me wonder if the size was on purpose so the students would be more inclined to study.
Or economical? Or did it help to keep the building a bit warmer, yet let a bit of light in?
And we have a barber shop -- It was originally located in Hartland, built in 1910.
One of my early squint shots (which you can find here), explains the reasoning behind the striped barber pole.
I can hardly pass by a barber shop now without remembering this bit of trivia.
Fowlerville is fortunate to have citizens that care enough to preserve and restore these buildings. Be sure to keep on the look-out for times and events when these buildings are open to the public. You might just find learning some of our area history is right up your alley.
Fowlerville Fairgrounds, and a thought came to me. This series of pictures encompasses the movers and shapers in our early history.A train depot sheltered residents before
boarding the trains that may have taken them along the Grand River route from east to west, and north and south from Flint to Detroit. 
This particular building came from the Howell area and has been beautifully restored, with displays inside and detailed trimwork outside.That represents our movers.
Our shapers?
A school house -- Coughran School, built in 1882. The picture of the window makes me wonder if the size was on purpose so the students would be more inclined to study.
Or economical? Or did it help to keep the building a bit warmer, yet let a bit of light in?And we have a barber shop -- It was originally located in Hartland, built in 1910.
One of my early squint shots (which you can find here), explains the reasoning behind the striped barber pole.
I can hardly pass by a barber shop now without remembering this bit of trivia.Fowlerville is fortunate to have citizens that care enough to preserve and restore these buildings. Be sure to keep on the look-out for times and events when these buildings are open to the public. You might just find learning some of our area history is right up your alley.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Where the Heart Is
That is home . . . where the heart is.
Back at the Fowlerville Historical Village at the fairgrounds, two buildings representing home stand side by side -- a place to feel comfortable, a place to
belong, and where a great deal of time is spent -- the family abode and a church.
The Kirkland House, donated by the Kirkland family from Gregory, stands slightly askew, showing its obvious age of over 150 years old. The roof seems to bow in places but the shutters and window show signs of replacement. It helps us to remember this
has been preserved, saved from the bulldozer, and restored as best as it can be.
What I found curious is how brilliant new tulips show off their colors with pride. A
stark contrast to the paint chips peeling from the siding.
Across a small patch of green grass the church stands tall and imposing.
The Green Church -- built a little over 100 years ago.
When this historical village was being organized, the Lavern Johnson family stepped up and donated this building. It had been located south of Fowlerville.
As I researched facts regarding this church, I came across an obituary from Friday, January 10, 1879 for George W. Palmerton, whose sudden death was felt through all of Fowlerville. His funeral was held in the M.E. Church. Following is the obituary, as printed in the Fowlerville Review:
Never, undoubtedly, have the people of Fowlerville and vicinity been more shocked than they were on Thursday morning last when the announcement went forth that George W. Palmerton was dead! The deceased was taken on Tuesday night with diptheria but was not considered in dangerous condition until about midnight Wednesday, at which time he fell into a state of unconsciousness, from which he did not revive, except for a few minutes when some stimulents were being administered. It was its sudden and unexpected arrival that made the calamity all the more appalling, and many moaned when told of it said, "It can’t be true," while the almost universal expression of all was, "It is as great a loss as the village could sustain."
George W. Palmerton was born in Saritoga county, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1836, and was consequently nearly 43 years old. He was the eldest son of Samuel G. And Lucy E. E. Palmerton and was married Dec. 16, 1857, to Joanna Fowler.
He began the merchantile business in this village in 1859 on a small scale but gradually increased his stock, capital, etc., until September, 1872, when he associated himself with his brother-in-law, Albert D. Benjamin, under the firm name of Palmerton & Benjamin. In consequence of Mr. Benjamin’s failing health this partnership was dissolved on the 21st of May 1874, since which time he has continued the business alone. A magnificent three-story brick block was erected by him on the corner of Grand avenue and Grand River street in 1876 to better accommodate his largely increased business, which came to him as the reward of his diligence and square dealing. Few men have enjoyed a better business reputation than Mr. Palmerton, his patronage being continually sought and coveted by rival wholesale dealers.
To know him was to admire and respect him and his loss is more felt by the village by his being always the foremost in everything that would tend in any manner to advance the interests of the same. Every public improvement received his hearty co-operation and was aided on by his means. Deeds of charity were not uncommon to him and any movement that had for its end a charitable object received his attention.
The deceased leaves behind him a wife and two children, a son and a daughter, besides a very large circle of other relatives and friends.
The last sad rites were paid on Sunday last, the funeral services being conducted from the M. E. Church under Masonic ceremonies. The discourse was delivered by the Rev. D. E. Hills, from Jeremiah 48 17th, and was a most fitting eulogy. The proccession was headed by the Fowlerville Cornet Band followed by the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Masonic fraternity in full uniform and regalia all wearing badges of morning and forming a most solemn spectacle as it moved to the well executed dirges played by the band.
After seeing the size of this modest church and after reading this obituary, I wonder how that building ever held everyone attending Mr. Palmerton's funeral.
Note: The 3-story brick building still stands strong and tall at the northwest corner of the main four corners, owned by and housing Harmon Real Estate.
Back at the Fowlerville Historical Village at the fairgrounds, two buildings representing home stand side by side -- a place to feel comfortable, a place to
belong, and where a great deal of time is spent -- the family abode and a church.The Kirkland House, donated by the Kirkland family from Gregory, stands slightly askew, showing its obvious age of over 150 years old. The roof seems to bow in places but the shutters and window show signs of replacement. It helps us to remember this
has been preserved, saved from the bulldozer, and restored as best as it can be. What I found curious is how brilliant new tulips show off their colors with pride. A
stark contrast to the paint chips peeling from the siding.Across a small patch of green grass the church stands tall and imposing.
The Green Church -- built a little over 100 years ago. When this historical village was being organized, the Lavern Johnson family stepped up and donated this building. It had been located south of Fowlerville.
As I researched facts regarding this church, I came across an obituary from Friday, January 10, 1879 for George W. Palmerton, whose sudden death was felt through all of Fowlerville. His funeral was held in the M.E. Church. Following is the obituary, as printed in the Fowlerville Review:
Never, undoubtedly, have the people of Fowlerville and vicinity been more shocked than they were on Thursday morning last when the announcement went forth that George W. Palmerton was dead! The deceased was taken on Tuesday night with diptheria but was not considered in dangerous condition until about midnight Wednesday, at which time he fell into a state of unconsciousness, from which he did not revive, except for a few minutes when some stimulents were being administered. It was its sudden and unexpected arrival that made the calamity all the more appalling, and many moaned when told of it said, "It can’t be true," while the almost universal expression of all was, "It is as great a loss as the village could sustain."
George W. Palmerton was born in Saritoga county, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1836, and was consequently nearly 43 years old. He was the eldest son of Samuel G. And Lucy E. E. Palmerton and was married Dec. 16, 1857, to Joanna Fowler.
He began the merchantile business in this village in 1859 on a small scale but gradually increased his stock, capital, etc., until September, 1872, when he associated himself with his brother-in-law, Albert D. Benjamin, under the firm name of Palmerton & Benjamin. In consequence of Mr. Benjamin’s failing health this partnership was dissolved on the 21st of May 1874, since which time he has continued the business alone. A magnificent three-story brick block was erected by him on the corner of Grand avenue and Grand River street in 1876 to better accommodate his largely increased business, which came to him as the reward of his diligence and square dealing. Few men have enjoyed a better business reputation than Mr. Palmerton, his patronage being continually sought and coveted by rival wholesale dealers.
To know him was to admire and respect him and his loss is more felt by the village by his being always the foremost in everything that would tend in any manner to advance the interests of the same. Every public improvement received his hearty co-operation and was aided on by his means. Deeds of charity were not uncommon to him and any movement that had for its end a charitable object received his attention.
The deceased leaves behind him a wife and two children, a son and a daughter, besides a very large circle of other relatives and friends.
The last sad rites were paid on Sunday last, the funeral services being conducted from the M. E. Church under Masonic ceremonies. The discourse was delivered by the Rev. D. E. Hills, from Jeremiah 48 17th, and was a most fitting eulogy. The proccession was headed by the Fowlerville Cornet Band followed by the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Masonic fraternity in full uniform and regalia all wearing badges of morning and forming a most solemn spectacle as it moved to the well executed dirges played by the band.After seeing the size of this modest church and after reading this obituary, I wonder how that building ever held everyone attending Mr. Palmerton's funeral.
Note: The 3-story brick building still stands strong and tall at the northwest corner of the main four corners, owned by and housing Harmon Real Estate.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Historical Village
The Fowlerville Fairgrounds acts as host and resident-keeper of the Livingston Centre Historical Village. Located at the back of the property, and right next to many of the 4H buildings, you can find a barber shop, a cobbler, a schoolhouse, a home, a church, and a depot, along with a few other choice sights just begging for the attention of my camera.So, the other day, I took to wandering through the historical village while no one else was around. The sun warmed my back
as I read plaques and pondered the lives that had passed through the doorways of all these buildings. And I clicked away, taking numerous shots of anything that caught my attention.
The Fowlerville Fairgrounds website contains quite a bit of information regarding these old buildings and you can read all of that here.
But I then went in further search and came across this website -- Fowlerville History -- and it is full of pictures from yesteryear along with current information. There are pictures of the main four corners from years earlier, along with the Standard gas station that used to occupy the corner of Grand River and Second Street.
Over the next few days, I will be posting some of the pictures I snapped that nice warm day so check back.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
We Are Michigan
These wonderful pieces of trivia have come through e-mail to me on occasion but I've never saved them -- until today. And, of course, I wanted to pass along some interesting facts to remember about Michigan.
It is long and varied -- but that says something very important about Michigan. It is a great state.
~~Detroit is known as the car capital of the world.
~~Alpena is the home of the world's largest cement plant.
~~Rogers City boasts the world's largest limestone quarry.
~~Elsie is the home of the world's largest registered Holstein dairy herd.
~~Michigan is first in the United States production of peat and magnesium compounds and second in gypsum and iron ore.
~~Colon is home to the world's largest manufacturer of magic supplies.
~~The state capitol with its majestic dome was built in Lansing in l879.
~~Although Michigan is often called the Wolverine State there are no longer any wolverines in Michigan (however, one was spotted in 2007, so maybe they have returned).
~~Michigan ranks first in state boat registrations.
~~The Packard Motor Car Company in Detroit manufactured the first air-conditioned car in 1939.
~~The oldest county (based on date of incorporation) is Wayne, in 1815.
~~Sault Ste. Marie was founded by Father Jacques Marquette in 1668. It is the third oldest remaining settlement in the United States.
~~In 1817 the University of Michigan was the first university established by any of the states. It was founded by priests. Originally named Cathelepistemian and located in Detroit, the name was changed in 1821. The university moved to Ann Arbor in 1841.
~~The city of Novi was named from its designation as stagecoach stop #6 or No.VI.
~~Michigan State University has the largest single campus student body of any Michigan university. It is the largest institution of higher learning in the state and one of the largest universities in the country. Michigan State University was founded in 1855 as the nation's first land-grant university and served as the prototype for 69 land-grant institutions later established under the Morrill Act of 1862. It was the first institution of higher learning in the nation to teach scientific agriculture.
~~The largest village in Michigan is Caro.
~~Michigan's state stone, The Petoskey is the official state stone. It is found along the shores of Lake Michigan.
~~The Mackinac Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world connecting the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. It spans 5 miles over the Straits of Mackinac, which is where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. The Mighty Mac took 3 years to complete and was opened to traffic in 1957.
~~Gerald R. Ford grew up in Grand Rapids and became the 38th president of the United States. He attended the University of Michigan where he was a football star. He served on a World War II aircraft carrier and afterward represented Michigan in Congress for 24 years. He was also an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts.
~~The Kellogg Company has made Battle Creek the Cereal Capital of the World. The Kellogg brothers accidentally discovered the process for producing flaked cereal products and sparked the beginning of the dry cereal industry.
~~The painted turtle is Michigan's state reptile.
~~The western shore of Michigan has many sand dunes. The Sleeping Bear Dunes rise 460 feet above Lake Michigan. Living among the dunes is the dwarf lake iris the official state wildflower.
~~Vernor's ginger ale was created in Detroit and became the first soda pop made in the United States. In 1862, pharmacist James Vernor was trying to create a new beverage when he was called away to serve our country in the Civil War. When he returned, 4 years later, the drink he had stored in an oak case had acquired a delicious gingery flavor.
~~The Detroit Zoo was the first zoo in America to feature cageless, open exhibits that allowed the animals more freedom to roam.
~~Michigan is the only place in the world with a floating post office. The J. W. Westcott II is the only boat in the world that delivers mail to ships while they are still underway. They have been operating for 125 years.
~~Indian River is the home of the largest crucifix in the world. It is called the Cross in the Woods.
~~Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the world. Michigan has more shoreline than any other state except Alaska.
~~The Ambassador Bridge was named by Joseph Bower, the person credited with making the bridge a reality, who thought the name (Detroit-Windsor International Bridge) as too long and lacked emotional appeal. Bower wanted to symbolize the visible expression of friendship of two peoples with like ideas and ideals.
~~Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes and more than 36,000 miles of streams.
~~Michigan has 116 lighthouses and navigational lights. Seul Choix Point Lighthouse in Gulliver has been guiding ships since 1895. The working light also functions as a museum, which houses early 1900's furnishings and maritime artifacts.
~~Forty of the state's 83 counties adjoin at least one of the Great Lakes. Michigan is the only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes. Standing anywhere in the state a person is within 85 miles of one of the Great Lakes. Michigan includes 56,954 square miles of land area; 1,194 square miles of inland waters; and 38,575 square miles of Great Lakes water area.
~~Sault Ste. Marie was established in 1668 making it the oldest town between the Alleghenies and the Rockies.
~~Michigan was the first state to provide in its Constitution for the establishment of public libraries.
~~Michigan was the first state to guarantee every child the right to tax-paid high school education.
~~Four flags have flown over Michigan - French, English, Spanish and United States.
~~Isle Royal Park shelters one of the largest moose herds remaining in the United States.
~~Some of the longest bulk freight carriers in the world operate on the Great Lakes. Ore carriers 1,000 feet long sail Michigan's inland seas.
~~The Upper Michigan copper country is the largest commercial deposit of native copper in the world.
~~The 19 chandeliers in the Capitol in Lansing are one of a kind and designed especially for the building by Tiffany's of New York. Weighing between 800-900 pounds apiece they are composed of copper, iron and pewter.
~~The first auto traffic tunnel built between two nations was the mile-long Detroit-Windsor tunnel under the Detroit River. The world's first international submarine railway tunnel was opened between Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario, Canada in 1891.
~~The nation's first regularly scheduled air passage service began operation between Grand Rapids and Detroit in 1926.
~~In 1879 Detroit telephone customers were first in the nation to be assigned phone numbers to facilitate handling calls.
~~In 1929, the Michigan State Police established the first state police radio system in the world.
~~Grand Rapids is home to the 24-foot Leonardo Da Vinci horse, called Il Gavallo. It is the largest equestrian bronze sculpture in the Western Hemisphere.
The State Motto (written in Latin) translates to "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you."
It is long and varied -- but that says something very important about Michigan. It is a great state.
~~Detroit is known as the car capital of the world.
~~Alpena is the home of the world's largest cement plant.
~~Rogers City boasts the world's largest limestone quarry.
~~Elsie is the home of the world's largest registered Holstein dairy herd.
~~Michigan is first in the United States production of peat and magnesium compounds and second in gypsum and iron ore.
~~Colon is home to the world's largest manufacturer of magic supplies.
~~The state capitol with its majestic dome was built in Lansing in l879.
~~Although Michigan is often called the Wolverine State there are no longer any wolverines in Michigan (however, one was spotted in 2007, so maybe they have returned).
~~Michigan ranks first in state boat registrations.
~~The Packard Motor Car Company in Detroit manufactured the first air-conditioned car in 1939.
~~The oldest county (based on date of incorporation) is Wayne, in 1815.
~~Sault Ste. Marie was founded by Father Jacques Marquette in 1668. It is the third oldest remaining settlement in the United States.
~~In 1817 the University of Michigan was the first university established by any of the states. It was founded by priests. Originally named Cathelepistemian and located in Detroit, the name was changed in 1821. The university moved to Ann Arbor in 1841.
~~The city of Novi was named from its designation as stagecoach stop #6 or No.VI.
~~Michigan State University has the largest single campus student body of any Michigan university. It is the largest institution of higher learning in the state and one of the largest universities in the country. Michigan State University was founded in 1855 as the nation's first land-grant university and served as the prototype for 69 land-grant institutions later established under the Morrill Act of 1862. It was the first institution of higher learning in the nation to teach scientific agriculture.
~~The largest village in Michigan is Caro.
~~Michigan's state stone, The Petoskey is the official state stone. It is found along the shores of Lake Michigan.
~~The Mackinac Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world connecting the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. It spans 5 miles over the Straits of Mackinac, which is where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. The Mighty Mac took 3 years to complete and was opened to traffic in 1957.
~~Gerald R. Ford grew up in Grand Rapids and became the 38th president of the United States. He attended the University of Michigan where he was a football star. He served on a World War II aircraft carrier and afterward represented Michigan in Congress for 24 years. He was also an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts.
~~The Kellogg Company has made Battle Creek the Cereal Capital of the World. The Kellogg brothers accidentally discovered the process for producing flaked cereal products and sparked the beginning of the dry cereal industry.
~~The painted turtle is Michigan's state reptile.
~~The western shore of Michigan has many sand dunes. The Sleeping Bear Dunes rise 460 feet above Lake Michigan. Living among the dunes is the dwarf lake iris the official state wildflower.
~~Vernor's ginger ale was created in Detroit and became the first soda pop made in the United States. In 1862, pharmacist James Vernor was trying to create a new beverage when he was called away to serve our country in the Civil War. When he returned, 4 years later, the drink he had stored in an oak case had acquired a delicious gingery flavor.
~~The Detroit Zoo was the first zoo in America to feature cageless, open exhibits that allowed the animals more freedom to roam.
~~Michigan is the only place in the world with a floating post office. The J. W. Westcott II is the only boat in the world that delivers mail to ships while they are still underway. They have been operating for 125 years.
~~Indian River is the home of the largest crucifix in the world. It is called the Cross in the Woods.
~~Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the world. Michigan has more shoreline than any other state except Alaska.
~~The Ambassador Bridge was named by Joseph Bower, the person credited with making the bridge a reality, who thought the name (Detroit-Windsor International Bridge) as too long and lacked emotional appeal. Bower wanted to symbolize the visible expression of friendship of two peoples with like ideas and ideals.
~~Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes and more than 36,000 miles of streams.
~~Michigan has 116 lighthouses and navigational lights. Seul Choix Point Lighthouse in Gulliver has been guiding ships since 1895. The working light also functions as a museum, which houses early 1900's furnishings and maritime artifacts.
~~Forty of the state's 83 counties adjoin at least one of the Great Lakes. Michigan is the only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes. Standing anywhere in the state a person is within 85 miles of one of the Great Lakes. Michigan includes 56,954 square miles of land area; 1,194 square miles of inland waters; and 38,575 square miles of Great Lakes water area.
~~Sault Ste. Marie was established in 1668 making it the oldest town between the Alleghenies and the Rockies.
~~Michigan was the first state to provide in its Constitution for the establishment of public libraries.
~~Michigan was the first state to guarantee every child the right to tax-paid high school education.
~~Four flags have flown over Michigan - French, English, Spanish and United States.
~~Isle Royal Park shelters one of the largest moose herds remaining in the United States.
~~Some of the longest bulk freight carriers in the world operate on the Great Lakes. Ore carriers 1,000 feet long sail Michigan's inland seas.
~~The Upper Michigan copper country is the largest commercial deposit of native copper in the world.
~~The 19 chandeliers in the Capitol in Lansing are one of a kind and designed especially for the building by Tiffany's of New York. Weighing between 800-900 pounds apiece they are composed of copper, iron and pewter.
~~The first auto traffic tunnel built between two nations was the mile-long Detroit-Windsor tunnel under the Detroit River. The world's first international submarine railway tunnel was opened between Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario, Canada in 1891.
~~The nation's first regularly scheduled air passage service began operation between Grand Rapids and Detroit in 1926.
~~In 1879 Detroit telephone customers were first in the nation to be assigned phone numbers to facilitate handling calls.
~~In 1929, the Michigan State Police established the first state police radio system in the world.
~~Grand Rapids is home to the 24-foot Leonardo Da Vinci horse, called Il Gavallo. It is the largest equestrian bronze sculpture in the Western Hemisphere.
The State Motto (written in Latin) translates to "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you."
Monday, February 9, 2009
Disappearing Act
On my Meryl's Musings blog (which you can access by clicking on the link "Meryl's Musings" below Fowlerville News and Views), I have been exploring some of the things that are quickly disappearing from our culture here in the United States.
Over the course of 24 subjects, two of the items jumped off the page as pertaining to our town. This information came to me through an e-mail so I have not necessarily checked statistics, but the emotional side of it is more of what interests me. The two items are as follows:
#10 (on the list) . . . The Milkman
According to the USDA, in 1950, over half of the milk delivered was to the home in quart bottles, by 1963 it was about a third, and by 2001 it represented only .4%. Nowadays, most milk is sold through supermarkets in gallon jugs. The steady decline in home-delivered milk is blamed, of course, on the rise of the supermarket, better home refrigeration, and longer-lasting milk. Although some milkmen still make the rounds in pockets of the US, they are a dying breed.
And,
#1 . . . The Family Farm
Since the 30s, the number of family farms has been declining rapidly. According to the USDA, 5.3 million farms dotted the nation in 1950, but this number had declined to 2.1 million by the 2003 farm census (data from the 2007 census hasn't been published). Ninety-one percent of the US farms are small family farms.
My husband and I are city folk -- we came here years earlier to be a part of small town America, to call this home, and to grow our little garden. Ours is all very modest, but it is our country home and we appreciate it. So then I consider how all of this could disappear and wonder why.
Is this because of modern day advances or the economy? While both of the above items affect the entire nation, this area takes a harder hit when it comes to agriculture because that is what Fowlerville is all about.
I applaud those that continue to work hard, struggle to make it in this economy, and provide this area with its true identity. That's what small town America is all about, am I right?
Over the course of 24 subjects, two of the items jumped off the page as pertaining to our town. This information came to me through an e-mail so I have not necessarily checked statistics, but the emotional side of it is more of what interests me. The two items are as follows:
#10 (on the list) . . . The Milkman
According to the USDA, in 1950, over half of the milk delivered was to the home in quart bottles, by 1963 it was about a third, and by 2001 it represented only .4%. Nowadays, most milk is sold through supermarkets in gallon jugs. The steady decline in home-delivered milk is blamed, of course, on the rise of the supermarket, better home refrigeration, and longer-lasting milk. Although some milkmen still make the rounds in pockets of the US, they are a dying breed.
And,
#1 . . . The Family Farm
Since the 30s, the number of family farms has been declining rapidly. According to the USDA, 5.3 million farms dotted the nation in 1950, but this number had declined to 2.1 million by the 2003 farm census (data from the 2007 census hasn't been published). Ninety-one percent of the US farms are small family farms.
My husband and I are city folk -- we came here years earlier to be a part of small town America, to call this home, and to grow our little garden. Ours is all very modest, but it is our country home and we appreciate it. So then I consider how all of this could disappear and wonder why.
Is this because of modern day advances or the economy? While both of the above items affect the entire nation, this area takes a harder hit when it comes to agriculture because that is what Fowlerville is all about.
I applaud those that continue to work hard, struggle to make it in this economy, and provide this area with its true identity. That's what small town America is all about, am I right?
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