History
Fitchburg rings of history
By Arlene and Ron Kaiser This community, like many founding communities in Michigan, has shrunken to a grouping of houses, and farms. Schools, businesses and the post office have all disappeared. The following is an account of how, when and by whom this once prosperous community began. This local history is from information compiled for […]
Looking Back – April 2019
By Diane Rockall The first land purchases in this area occurred as the 1830’s began. During the period shortly thereafter the nation experienced what was then called a “panic” Today we would call it a depression. Settlers from the east who had lost everything they had decided to move west where they could start over. […]
Lions Final Bingo, February 25, 2019
Stockbridge Lions held their final bingo at the Mackinder-Glenn American Legion post on Monday, February 25, 2019. The following afternoon Marv Cook and Chuck Wisman sat down to finalize details and reminisce. For many years Marv has been not only leader of the event, but primary bingo caller. The new automated games are far more […]
Michigan women play roles in Civil War
By Ron and Arlene Kaiser As a group, many women of Michigan stepped up admirably during the Civil War. They already were hardier and more independent than their eastern counterparts, the result of the demanding extremes of pioneer life. Following are some examples of Michigan’s courageous women: Sarah Emma Edmonds, from Flint, passed herself off […]
Looking Back – March 2019
by Diane Rockall In recognition, preparation for and celebration of Women’s History Month, this column will veer a little from its norm and look back at local women who made it into our historical records, a major feat for the time. Space forbids the possibility of including all those who contributed to what we have […]
Sleigh Bells by Ron Kaiser
by Ron Kaiser The season brings the question: “Why do horses wear sleigh bells?” Do people just like to hear them ring, or do they serve a practical purpose? In earlier times, winter brought different modes of travel. Wagon boxes were moved from running gears to bob-sleds, and the buggy and surrey were replaced by […]
Looking Back – January 2019
Closing out 2018 the microfilm reader at Stockbridge’s Library is in for repair so no film copies of old papers are available to view. As a result this months column covers more recent history. Our library has been saving print versions for about thirty years and they are the source for this column. Twenty years ago […]
Happy birthday, Michigan: 182 years old and still scrapping with Ohio
by Ron and Arlene Kaiser What do Toledo, Ohio, Michigan Statehood, Robert E. Lee, the Upper Peninsula, Lake Michigan and the Maumee River have in common? Answer: the Toledo War, also known as the Michigan–Ohio War. This little-known conflict back in 1835 and escalated to the two state governors each deploying about 1,000 militiamen. Armed […]
Looking Back – December 2018
by Diane Rockall December 1968 the Stockbridge village iron removal plant became operational greatly improving the quality and taste of village water according to those interviewed. The postmaster Elmer Lehman encouraged early mailing for the Christmas holidays. Santa arrived at the “Stockbridge Ambulance Building” on Dec. 7, sponsored by area businesses. Stockbridge First Baptist Church had […]
Looking Back – November 2018
November 1918, 100 years ago, was a significant time for our community, our country and the entire world. On Nov. 11 of that year at 11 a.m. local time, Germany’s ruler signed a truce with terms ending World War I. President Woodrow Wilson previously had announced the exact time the war would end. In Stockbridge, […]