My Apologies

In four years, since starting this website for Fowlerville, I have posted articles and pictures everyday.  But . . . I am going to have to take a couple weeks off.

So, please bear with me and I will get back to posting history lessons, current events, pictures, and whatever else I come up, in the very near future.

Please check back . . .

1970 Library Construction

The following picture was given to me a few days back:

In 1970, the Fowlerville library was finally, truly, getting a home of its home.  The building -- where the library continues to operate out of -- was built in 1970.  Before that, the library was located in the Handy township building, and had outgrown the confines of those walls.

Since 1970, the current library building has been added on to, but continues to experience growing pains.  Every available space is used up and the staff is constantly working at making sure all the books, magazines, dvds, and reference materials are well displayed.

But, back to the above picture.  A note came with the picture indicating Ronald Brunger, a pastor in Fowlerville and a library board member, is sitting at the keyboard.  Can anyone identify the others in the picture?  And, does anyone have a memories to contribute of when the library building was under construction?

1903 Gehringer is Born

Oops, one more post on Charley Gehringer!

The other day, I met up with someone that wanted to do a little research in the Fowlerville historical collection.  I figured since he was busy, I would do a little research of my own.  There is a box in the collection labeled "Charles Gehringer" and I decided to breeze through it.  There are a number interesting articles that go beyond what I have posted, and anyone is more than welcome to come browse the information.

There was almost too much to post but I did find the above picture that just had to show up here.  The Detroit News published this picture in 1954 of Gehringer when he was a mere two years old.  He was born May 11, 1903 in Iosco county.  His parents were Leonard and Theresa, and he was one of nine children born to the couple.

2013 Fleming School Burns

Yesterday morning, the Fleming school at Six Corners burned.  Following are just a few pictures I took of what was left:

A couple years ago, I spent a little time taking pictures of the various buildings at that location.  If you search on "Fleming" or "Fleming School" or "Fleming Church," you will find numerous articles and squint shots.  I also posted an old map of the area, which you can check out by clicking here.

For additional information on this fire, you can also read an article at www.livingstondaily.com.

1929 Gehringer Keeps At It

In this final article following Charley Gehringer's early pro career, with the Detroit Tigers, following is an article that was reprinted in The Fowlerville Review from the Detroit Free Press:

It was also reported:

Charlie Gehringer has punched out more hits for more bases and scored more runs than any other player in the league.  He has crossed the plate 29 times and collected 40 safeties that totaled 68 bases.

For some additional reading on the "mechanical man" from Fowlerville, be sure to check out Mike Grimm's history of the village.  You can read more about his book by clicking on the link from this website to his.  Scroll down the page and look for his link at the right hand side of the page.

And now a question for my readers.  I have been working on a book of three sensational murders that took place in the early days of Fowlerville.  If I were to pursue self-publishing this book, would I have takers?  Would you be interested in purchasing a copy?  My other thoughts -- if I were to put the book on this website as an e-book of sorts, would you be willing to make donations to the site to keep things going?  Your thoughts?  Your support?

1928 Gehringer Visit to Fowlerville

For a brief shining moment in baseball fun, it was reported in September, 1928, Charley Gehringer would visit his old haunts at the Fowlerville Fairgrounds.  The following short blurb was found in the local paper:

The friends of Charles Gehringer may see him in action with the Fowlerville ball team at the Fowlerville fair.

But then:

All Aboard!

For the Fowlerville Fair~~Everything looks good for the Fowlerville Fair if the weather holds good it will be a record breaker so far as attendance is concerned.

The grounds are in fine condition and the buildings have been made attractive.

The secretary reports the entries are coming in fine and everything points to a good showing and the race horses are much in evidence and the free attractions are showing up big, while the midway is chuck full and running over.

We regret to have to report one great disappointment in the fact that Charles Gehringer will not be here as advertised, and no one can possibly regret the fact as much as the fair association, which has advertised the fact, that the star in Michigan base ball will not be present.  It is no fault of the fair management and it was not known until this week that Mr. Gehringer had made other arrangements and had joined a barnstorming company that was taking him out of the state.

Mr. Glover states the Mr. Gehringer distinctly stated to him that he would be here for the games and bring a man with him and Mr. Glover has witness to that statement.

As soon as it was discovered that Mr. Gehringer had made other arrangements, the telephone wires were kept warm by the ball fans and business men, but without success.

Arrangement had been perfected to present Mr. Gehringer with a fine token of their regard for him as a community which adds another deep disappointment to his absence.

This is the first time in the history of the fair association when they have advertised an event that did not take place and the association and all friends of Mr. Gehringer deeply regret the fact.

In future articles regarding the fair events, it would appear everything else was a great success.

1928 Celebration of Graduates

G.L. Adams, the editor and publisher of The Fowlerville Review, celebrated two graduates from the Fowlerville high school in his opinion column:

Romine Hamilton's parents began the C.D. Hamilton & Co. dry goods store at the southeast corner of East Grand River and South Grand.  Some may still remember it when the store was Ruth's Resale.