History
Fond memories of summers past
by Tina Cole Mullins Summer in Michigan—what joy! This reporter’s childhood summers were made hotter working in one of the local muck fields with the sun beating down on the carpet of black dirt. But my family and I were often refreshed with a swim in one of the many local lakes or swimming holes. […]
Plainfield. Anything but plain.
by Ron and Arlene Kaiser More than 180 years ago, numerous Indian trails intersected about eight miles north-northeast of today’s village of Stockbridge. Here, a popular Native American campground existed, and John Dunn of New Jersey settled in 1835. Over the next two years, other settlers followed, and the settlement of Plainfield took root. Among […]
Look Back In Time for July 2019
by Diane Rockall July returns once again and with it half the year is gone. Twenty years ago, in 1999, Y2K (year 2000) reared its head as a major concern for businesses and industries. Massive computer failures were widely anticipated as world clocks rolled their digits into the 21st century. Stockbridge bankers and businessmen shared […]
Looking Back June 2019
by Diane Rockall One hundred years ago, the school year ended the week of June 6, 1919. Special events included: the Junior class reception held at the Opera House, the baccalaureate address by Rev. J. D. Adair, and Class Day on the 11th, which featured “music, readings and more.” The Stockbridge Brief Sun reported on June […]
Memorial Day tribute to Stockbridge’s soldier monument and cannon
by Ron and Arlene Kaiser Stockbridge: On July 27, 1894, the president of G.H. Ewing Women’s Relief Corps (W.R.C.), Mrs. M. J. Brownell, asked the E. H. Ewing Post of the G.A. R. (Grand Army of the Republic) to begin working for a permanent monument, and though the question was often discussed, no action was […]
History of Hispanic outlaws in America
On March 13th, Carlos Villegas-Castaneda presented an informative lecture on the history of 19th century Hispanic outlaws at the Stockbridge Library. This little known part of American history had a big impact on the shaping of our nation, and even served as inspiration for the folk character Zorro. Villegas-Castaneda is an instructor of Spanish language, […]
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 […]