'Ledger * §uburbaii ' L i f e Vol 78-No. 12 CENTENNIAL ISSUE - July 1,1971 Newsstand Price 10€ yoLl7-No.lS
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1871 LowoU-Fallasbuig CENTENNIAL 1971
Lowdl-FiUasbuig
Ledfer/Suburban Ufa July 1 ,1971
& We Are Proud Of The
Part We Have Played In
Providing The Area
With
New Homes
New People
New Ideas
Lowell Development Corp. 456-1501
The 1890 Carnival October 22 and 23,1890, the bunnessmen of Lowell held
a carnival at Train's Opera House. It was a grand success, both financially and socially. The drills the acton went through were difficult and carried out with the precision of veterans. The participants were masked on the stage and when the curtain raised a picture of beauty and color greet-ed the audience. The costumes were unique, tasty and ele-gant.
One of the oldest institutions, and one that still occupies its same location is the Lowell State Bank, which was incor-porated under the laws of Michigan in 1891.
In less than half a century war was declared again. The following Lowell boys went to Cuba in May 1898: U. A. Hawk, Clarence Long, Hayes Rolf, Charles Dickenson, Bert Penning, Marshall Ransford, Sherman Reynolds, Morris Lang.
They were discharged at Port Huron at 12 a j n . Jan. 1, 1 8 ^ .
The East Ward school was erected in 1899. From 1900 on, the village of Lowell began to replace
their wooden sidewalks with cement ones. In the Spring of the year 1901 the Clover Leaf Literary
Club was organized with Mrs. M. M. Kerry its first president. Among the oldest industries thriving in the town was the
Furniture Factory, the King, Quick & King Saw Mill actory, t the Lowell Cutter Co. Later came the Kellogg Vinegar
Co., Ru tchery k
and Cider Works, the Specialty Co., Fallas Canning Co., Run-ciman Elevator, Hoyt Lumber Co. and Foreman Ha Superior Furniture Co.
The World War In 1917 about ISO young men answered the call to enlist
in the World War. Then in 1919 some of these same men or-ganized the Charles W. Clark Legion Post N a 152. From a membership of 18 it has grown to embrace 126 ex-service men.
In 1928 the Lowell Literary and Gover Leaf Clubs merg-ed into the Lowell Woman's d u b . Mrs. C. D. Hodges was the first president and Mrs. Allen Bennett the first secretary.
It was Lowell's good fortune to have the M-21 pavement buHt.ihi&ugh the tear , f r o c »ff t to w«f riurin* the summer of 1928. The curbings and added blocks of boulevard lights makes the town appear as one of the best looking in the state, to the many tourists who go through.
D i c k & ( J w e n s King Milling Company Sometime Between 1905-1912
The Farmers Were Waiting To Unload Tfceir Wheat
QUALITY
B a r b e r — S t v t e s t
Welcome To The Centennial
Ad from back when King awl Mike'i father wat picadenl of the company
HOUSE OF TOWN SEND Celebrating
With Fine
Furniture Sportiit Goods
entennial 212 W. Main Street - Ph. TW7-7106
LMSpr/SuburbanUft ' Ju»y 1 .1971 ! 3
Lowell- F allasburg
The Old Bfcby Brid;w
• i J
John Hooker on Flat Hiver
11 • 11 H I 11 * » i n T m n r m i m i i n n n 111
LowaN Open Daily 9 • 6
Friday til 9 8979396
Ada Shoppars Square Open Daily 10 - 6
Friday 10 'tM 9 676-9231
CONGRATULATIONS
LOWELL-FALLASBURG CENTENNIAL
ROOT-LOWELL MANUFACTORING MANUFACTURERS OF THE UNIQUE
ATOM 1ST ELECTRIC SPACE SPRAYER
Udftr /Subur lHn Lift July 1.1971 4
Grand Ole Opry Show Starring
COUNTRY MUSIC'S FAMED
Lonzo & Oscar Direct From Nashville, Tennesse
Friday,
July 2,
7.* 30 p.m.
At
Showboat
Stadium
Ticktts $2 At Door;
$1.50 In Advance
Aise Featuring Barbara Ann "The Country Caravan"
Or Shine!
This Is One Of The Big Climaxes Of The
Centennial Activities
DON'T MISS THIS ONE
Bridge Is Bepaired T * « o from the February 22 ,1945 edition of the Low-
ell
The Kent County Road Commission is rebuilding and strengthening the old covered bridge over Flat river at Fallas-burg about four miles north of the village of Lowell. A road commission bridge crew, under the supervision o f L. W. Bmnson, bridge engineer, is placing an entirely new floor system on the bridge and is strengthening the wooden trusses with steel plates and steel tie rods so that when the bridge is again opened to traffic, it will be good for the usual legal load of 18,000 pounds per axle.
Mr. Bmnson states that the bridge was badly in need of re-pain . The timbers on which it rest5 on the concrete abut-ments on each end are rotting out and will be replaced with new timbers, pressure treated with creosote, which should make them last twenty-five or thirty years. The diagonal truss members near the ends of the bridge do not have enough bearing area to carry present-day loads, and these are being strengthened with the tie rods and plates as mentioned above.
Additional floor stringers and new floor plank will be placed so that the floor system will be good for the same loading as the trusses, making the bridge, when completed, good for present-day loading in the amount which this bridge will be called upon to carry in its rather out-of-the-way posi-tion. The clear roadway width will be 14 feet as it is now. This cannot be changed; neither can the clearance height of 12 feet be increased. The farmer with the wagon load of hay, or trucks who need more than about 12 feet clearance will have to take some other road.
Ths cost of the repairs and strengthening is estimated at S3,000. It is interesting to know that when the bridge was built in 1862, that is 83 years ago, the cost of the new struc-ture was only $400. This is the only timber bridge in Kent County which is still being used by vehicular traffic. One other is still standing over the Thomapple River in Ada, but it is being used only by pedestrians. The old signs which are still in place over the bridge portals, "Five Dollars Fine For Riding or Driving on this Bridge Faster Than a Walk," will be | replaced after a coat of new paint has been put on them.
Raft Crew. Last Drive of I.ogs on Flat River
S i Beachum s Was An Opera House In 1893 j
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4 4
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Seacnum's Sells Fine Furniture In
2021. Main St. Lowell 897-7761
lowell-Fallasburg Centennial 1871-1971
Mme. La Framboise, whose husband opened the first trad-ing post in Lowell, was an authorized agent of the Astor fur trading company.
Bememher The Smoke? USE
ROTH LP GAS It's Clean!
2335 West Main, Lowell
897-7391
Many landmvks in the LoweU-Fallasburg area hive diappeared down through the yean. In the community of Alto, aouthwesl of Lowell, no tongef standing is the Alto Bank, diown in the »-bove photograph.
Ledger/Suburban Life My 1 ,1971 5 e ' Lowell received its name In 1848 from Mrs. Timothy White, who had just returned, impressed with its industry, from Low-ell, MaHachuaetts.
Jimmy's 6ril l
Old Fashioned
Generous Helpings
Of Good Food
Evary Day Excapt Sat.
10:00 a . m . - 7 :30 p.m.
Sundays 1 2 : 0 0 ^ : 3 0 p .m.
10978 Grand River Ave.
(Old 16) TW 7-7688
MICHIGAN TAILORING SERVICE OF LANSING
HSVITES YOU to VISIT dtdr BEAUTIFUL
]SW STORE in GRAM) RAPIDS 1150 IHtEE NILE MAD I . E .
We do both men's and women's alterations from the simplest repairs to the very
major retailoring. Our service is quick and reasonably priced!
We are Michigan's Largest Professional Tailoring and Alteration SpeolallBt8f
Offering very Courteous and Responsible Service.
LEATHER COAT REFITTING - SHORTENING -REPAIRING IS A SPECIALTY
Htrt Is * Partial List •/ tii Things Wi D§ . . .
SUITS A M S T M T C O A T S Shorten Sleeves
Hew Pockets
Body Sealler
Shorten Collar
Rel ihe
Convert Double-breasted
New Tux L i p e l s
Umtorm Patches
U n i f o r s Bra id
Button Holes
Neru Convers ions
EIN)w Patches
Remake Vents
Shorten Coat Leng ths
St i f fen Frontb
Out Back Shoulders
CUTS SUCKS Clotl i and Leather Shorten
New Zippers Lengthen
Shorten Lengths Waists Larger
Recut Shoulders Waists Snal ler
Shorten Sleeves Recut Baggy Seats
T t h t - i n Body Taper Legs
m i k e Vents French Cuffs
Rellne Conplete New Zippers
Repair L in ing : Shorten Strides
ReplKe Knit Cuffs Lower Waist Bands
Replace Knit Bottoes Stiffen Waist Bands
ReplKe Buttons Piece Worn Areas
Make New Pockets Remove P lea ts
Make Belts Make F la i rs
Ve l ve t Co l l a r s New Pockets
Fur Co l la rs L ine L e g s ( s i l k )
Shorten Co l l a r s L ine Crotch
Make But ton Ho les Belt L o o p s
Extent ion T a b s
SHUTS Turn Collafs
Shorten Sleeves
Taper Bodies
Repair Seams
Re-bottoe
Make New Collars
S I ! JACKETS
S I O W M O I I I E OUTFITS
Shorten or Lengthen Sleeves
Replace Z ippers ( i nc lud ing Double
Repairs of A l l K inds
Shorten
We also do REWEAVING and REPAIRING OF of tears and holes in all cloth and leather.
W E U E EASY TO FIND ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF FULLER AND THREE MILE R D . (We appear to be all yellow roof)
m o I H H E H U E 1 0 * 0 N . E .
HOURS: W M U I T S 9 i . e . >O $'-30 P A . , S r f s f d i y 9 to H o t s , bssiafls by A p p o a l a i s t , Call 363~5442
Lidfir/Suburban Lift Juty 1 ,1971 A Congratulations Lowell-Fallasburg
On J u l y 1, 1 9 3 7 ROTH FUNERAL CHAPEL WAS ON MAIN STREET
(now Beachum's Furniture)
We Now Have The
OLD NEW ORLEAN'S Look - •AT.TIOl
^nrrrsrrrirrinnmnrinrrreirrirrnrrrTnirm
s i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i m i i i i m
S W e ' r t c u f t i n '
H i t r u g o t
3
H O M E C E N T E R
Good Old-fashiontd hospitality! s
Good Old-fathionad bargains!
Old-fashiontd service!
KENT COUNTY HAS TWO OF TH£M LEFT
Symbolic of the days when stagecoaches rumbled down dusty trails, and lumberjacks felled mighty stands of Michi-gan white pine, two covcrcd bridges still span rivers in Kent County.
Once there were six where a traveler could pause on a horse-and-buggy ride to take cover from a sudden shower or the sizzling summer sun in the days long ago.
Of the two stately spans remaining, one stretching across the Flat River at FaUasbcg had a $3,000 face-lifting and strengthening in 1945 to Keep it in use for automobiles.
The other built in 1867 over the Thomapple River at Ada, has been letiied. Now it's for strollers and curious tourists.
In neighboring Ionia County the White's covcrcd bridge still links both banks of the Ra t River.
Time, progress, damaging floods, new concretc highways and the construction of a power dam faded four Kent Coun-ty covered wooden bridges into history.
Gone from the West Michigan scene arc the Cook's cov-ered bridge, built in the late 1800s across the Thomapple at Forty Eighth SE; the Withey bridge built in 1880 between Ada and Cascade across the same river and dismanteled in 1927 when a dam was constructed; a Cascade spanner erect-ed in 1850 and pushed downstream in 1906 by the onslaught of spring floods and ice; and a bridge at Ada that made way for the Iron Bridge after becoming unsafe for heavy loads.
Older of the two remaining Kent County wooden bridges is the Ada span. Historians recall it was a masterpiece of con-struction at the time it was first opened.
In 1904 and a year later, the picturesque and friendly bridge was nearly destroyed by floods, according to history compiled by Martin DeRuiter and Darwin Nellist, members of the Kent County Road Commission staff.
Farmers loaded wagons with stones and pulled them on to the bridge to hold it in place to defeat the surging Thorn-apple flood waters.
Eight years after it was closed to auto traffic in 1930 when traffic was opened over a new concrete bridge near Ada, Road Commission plans to tear down the old structure were halted by public appeals.
In January 1941, the commission bought an old bam near the covered bridge and salvaged lumber to install a new roof and sides for the bridge.
Today it is used by Ada residents as a shortcut to 9 recre-ation park, a route for a walk, a place for tourists to admire and a spot for fishermen.
Built of white pine grown near ureenvilie ai a cost of $1,500 in 1871, the covered bridge at Fallasburg is the fifth constructed at the site since 1839.
Although the tang, shiny and powerfiU cars of the present use the Fallasburg bridge, .the farmers with a wagon-load of hay or trucks requiring more than 12 - fee t clearance have to bypass the covered 'span.
We're still at the
W t ' r a Dancing Up
MwrswiMt Golorc
IS
same location
Dine with u s . . . or dance Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays to Fine Music
Lena Lou Inn ADA
Welcome To
Centennial Days GO with
West Main St., Lowell, Michigan
Across from Krogers -Lowell 897^8842 S UFAIRCHILD OIL CO. i i i i i i i i i i i i i m i i i i i m i i i i i i i i i i i i i m i i i i i i i i i i i i i H H i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i H i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i H i i i H
1102 Lincoln Like
Ledger/Suburban Life July 1 ,1971
f™- > •
i o w / y c ? / i c -
VILLAGE Centanniol Visitors Welcome!
Famous For Sizzlers
& Chicken
Beer and Wine-4n or Out
211 West Main. Lowell
8 9 7 9 6 3 8
Open Monday-Saturdays
Sundays in the Summer
OLD FASHWNE1 Bouquets
ft 6IFT SHOPPE S17 East Main Street LoweB, Michigan Phone 897-7ISO
VALLEY VISTA INN Welcomes You
To The
We Now Have Home Baked
pies And Dinner Specials
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
a + t u j o o d CORPORATION
Congratulates Fallasburg!
WE HAVE BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME TOO!
m
Attwood was founded in 1893 and has been manufacturing boat hardware since 1923.
•MBnMonsaK.
••••••••••••
Ledger/Suburban Lift July 1 ,1971
New Discount Cards A Gallon Q p f
Floods Am! Fires ^ 1
FOREST HILLS 4591 Cascade Rd.
949-4380
SPUR
March 24th, 1904 was the begiiining of a big flood, fol-lowed by another disastrous one in June 1905.
A most spectacular fire took place in the Negonce block, AprU 13th. 1905.
Mrs. Charles Doyle purchased a Buick Model 10 in 1909 and it proved to be quite a curiosity because it was the first factory made car in town.
For the sum of $13,500 the City Hall was built in the year 1909, during the Councilship of the following men: D. G. Look, president, R. E. Springctt, attorney; T. A. Murphy, clerk; Frank McMahon, Light and Power superintendent. Trustees: H. I. Taylor, Chris Bergin, W. S. Winegar, H. A. Feckham, E. D. McQueen, J. A. Mattern.
A few years later Main street was paved and boulevard lights were instaUed.
The Loyal Order of Moose was organized in January 1912. During 1914 and 1915 the white school house was torn
down and a new red brick central building was put up at a cost of $50,000. The bonding issue was put over through the effofts of the superintendent, A. F. Frazee, and a capa-ble school board consisting of D. G. Look, president; W. S. Winegar, secretary; R. Van Dyke, treasurer; E. D. McQueen and F. E. White, trustees.
Put them all together they spell
And Welfare Orders
' ' 15 FOR SPECIALISTS ^ people m$l be)
" IS FOR E X P E R I E N C l t o serve yet best)
"IS FOR ROYALTY '*• "r•• »r»riwf.f^ 'VMS FOR VAIUI (spedeSty ef the keese)
"I" IS FOR INSTANT SERVICE'-—r—« C"/S FOR COURTESY *'m k* • ***«)
IS FOR EVFRYDAY OF THE WEEK • little kerJer I prattke whet we pret(k)
f f
Ada's IGA, Ada was the first in this area with every-day low shelf prices. They have FOUND that top quality and budget pleasing prices are the two things that customers look for most. They are GUILTY of pampering their customers. There is no substitute for service. An IGA customer knows she GETS through the check out in less time and with spending less money than anywhere else. For the surprise of
our LIFE try shopping at Ada's IGA and compare. ou'U find friendly service, top quality and low pri-
ces everyday.
cmifsr QUAUfY SERVICE
STORE HOURS:
STM i0s2r 9 ^ t o 7P* CfWKIl IM
"nmrs.ft P r l . paa-ppa KJUUUNtll
H t l t l t t t t t f T T T T f M t t t f T t T l t t t l M t t
Lowell-Fallasburg Centennial 1871-1971 •
HE RITA GE OF FALLASBURG
The first white settler to make his home in what is now Fal-lasburg anived in 1837, while Lowell was still an Indian Vil-lage. He was John Wesley Fallass, about twenty-five years old from near Ithaca, New York. Several months later a brother, Silas S. Fallass, a doctor, arrived and settled on a farm a half mile west of Flat River.
Between 1845 and 1850 another brother, two sisters and their parents came to the settlement which by then became known as Fallassburg. In later years one S was dropped from the spelling.
In a few years the village grew to about two hundred in-habitants according to Edwin Fallas whose father and moth-er and seven children, came from Dryden, New York in 1845 in a covered wagon. The village was most prosperous between 1850 and 1856. The principal industry was lumber.
The sawmill, operated by water power, was erected in 1839 by a Mr. Hecox. It was a three-story frame building, housing a chair factory on the third floor. The gristmill was also a three-story building, built in 1840 by John W. Fallass. There were also two general stores, two shoe and harness shops, two blacksmith shops, a public school, a private school, a Post Office and about eighteen dwellings.
The old stage coach route from Ionia to Grand Rapids passed through the village. About 1856 the surveyors located the old D & M railroad, now the Grand Trunk through Low-ell which terminated the growth of Fallasburg and it gradual-ly diminished in size until today only a few of the original buildings remain.
The first bridge to span the Flat River was built in the spring of 1839 and was replaced by a second bridge in 1844. This bridge survived for five years and was followed by a 3rd built in 1849. This one was constructed of hardwood and con-sisted of two spans with a wooden center pier and abutments, on which was laid a plank floor just wide enough to accom-modate a single horse drawn vehicle. Timber railings on each side defined the limits of the roadway.
The fourth bridge was primarily a reconstruction of the third bridge built in 1860 by Jared N. Brasee and lasted until the spring flood of 1871 when an ice jam damaged the cen-ter pier and ihe bridge collapsed.
Early in the summer of 1871 work started on the present structure. Jared N. Braiee and Company was the builder. It was constructed of whife pine grown near Greenville, and floated down Flat river. The original abutments were of tim-ber. The superstructure is a single span one hundred feet long, of the familiar lattice work design. The roadway is four-teen feet wide between trusses and twelve feet high from floor to top chord bracing. It is a house with a peaked roof and vertical plank sides to keep out rain and snow to prevent rotting.
The original cost of this bridge was $1,500. In January of 1945 the Kent County Road Commission replaced the abut-ments with concrete and otherwise strengthened the bridge at a cost of $3,000. It is the only timber bridge in Kent Coun-ty still being used by vehicular traffic.
Present plans call for a reconstructed mill, a museum, a country school, arts ard craft shops and other authentic at-tractions to preserve the Heritage of Fallasburg. This could become the outstanding tourist attraction in West Michigan with a potential of many thousands of visitors each year. It is hoped that Lowell and surrounding cities will place high-way signs directing interested tourists to Fallasburg.
Ltdgtr/Suburban Lift July 1 ,1971
W«lcomc Fallasburg
This Was
Lowell's Ten
Cent Store
n-1893 S / I M >X
(Stop In And See Us Now)
Frank's 5t to $1.00 123 West Main Street - Lowtii - 897-9918
1944 to 1971 2 7 YEARS of Service
INSURANCE Many v m t i of dependabil i ty to our cllenti
in Lowell and Surroundlno Communlt le t It
your fluarantee of more »ati«faction. Our
repreaentatlon of only t h e f lnei t Inaurance
companies, together with our repu'-atlon for
paraonal service It your aawrance.
Speerstra AGENCY
j 1 5 w f Main Loweil, ML 49331
Phone 897-9259
Welcome! to the CENTENNIAL
1904 We once looked this this way back when -
1971 Now our Old Look is very New!
PHARMACIES 103 Wtst Main, Lowell 43 South Main, Cedar Springs
119 West Main, Carson City
Udger/SufaurtMn Life July 1.1971 10
CENIE KNIAl LEDGER - SUBURBAN LIFE
[ WANT ADS CASH RATE
•WANT ADS: 20 words or less, each insertion $ .70
Each additional word -P2
READERS: In Memoriam and Card of Thanks, per line .20
Front Page Readers, per line .45
CLASSIFIED DISPLAY: per inch 1.40
If a Box Number in care of the LEDGER-SUBURBAN LIFE is desired,
add 50 4 to total price.
A 25^ bookkeeping charge will be added 2 weeks after publication on all
past due balances.
CALL 807-9261 DEADLINE: TuBKfayNooo
WANTED WANTED TOBUY - Land in Low-ell Township, East Kent or West lonit Counties. 534-6332.
II-c-41-ff
WANTED - Homemade items for my gift shop. Pat's Gift Nook. 4409 South Division S tmt , Grand Rap-ids. clO-tf
WANTED - Block and brick work. Call between 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saranac 642-9443. c5-tf
AUTOS FOR SALE BY OWNER - 1966 Chevrolet, Biscayne, two-door, blue cad 6 cylindfT. Weil second car or economical transportation back and forth to work. Body needs minor repair. Can be seen at 606 Grindle Drive, Lowell. $450 cach.
plO
BUSINESS PIRKTORY
POOL TABLES & SUPPLIED
Amuiament Machines
MILLERNEWMARK 3767 28th St., Eart
949,2030
6ILM0RE SPORT SHOP I LIVE BAIT
8164 E. Fulton Rd., Ada 676-5901
WHITE ROSE GASOLINF
Open 5 Days till 9 p.m Sundays till 6 p.m. dosed Thunday
HfGHUND HILL DAIRY Complete Line of Dairy
Products Delivered;to Your Door
897-7992
E 1 K BUILDING REPAIR CD. We Specielize in Insurance
Claims 'Painting •Patch Piesterin# •General. Repain 'Paperhengini Servina Lowell * EoretliJilli 897-9813 8 6 M 7 2 1
FOR SALE - 1963 Impale 327. 5300. Call 454-9066 a f t a 7 p.m. Ask for Steve. c-9tf
PERSONAL FINE WEDDING — Mtations, quick aarvke. Personalized napkins and matches. FRfcE package thank you notes or napkins and etiquette book with wedding order. The Lin-dy Press, 1127 East Fulton, Grsnd Rapids, GL 9-6613. 4<38-tf
ARE YOU SWIMMING IN - A sea Of debt? Pay off all of your bills without a loan. Free consulta-tion. Personal payment plan. 1002 Alpine NW.458-n 15. 3o-7tf > . •.. ' • i j WEDQING AND COMMERGAL -Photography. Portraits, all in beau-tiful cotor. Priced to fit your, bud-get J. E. Colby, Alta For ap-pointment call 868-5001. 4-c-30-tf
* * * a »
SERVICES LET ANSORGE REDUCE AND RE-SHAPE - Hips, thighs, ab-
Rent one for your daughter, too. CALL 245-1526 NOW! Two months for only $22.00, Three months $29.00. >1-12
JARCO - Complete water condi-tioning service. Salt delivery, wa-ter sofi 853
- - Friday.
teiwrs, repairs. Phone 897; between 6 p.m. a n d ^ j w r u
TRUSSES - Trained fitter, surgical appliances, etc^ at Koas Rexall Dr ip , Saranac, Michigan. 3-c39tf
SWIMMING LESSONS - Private pooL Small daaaea. 9494)382.
dO- l l
and freezing. Also and pork for tale. East Paris Pack Ing, 4200 £*§• Park Road 949-3240. ' 4o44
WINDOWS - Washed, puttied and painted, $2^0. General cleaning. Gertrude King, 455-2169. cl(M4
VETERANS - If vou are eligibk you can train to become a semi-truck driver under tha G. L Bill CaQ Grand Rapids 454-6962. High-way Transportation Institute, Oil-
IB. clO-tf
P A r S GIFT NOOK - Everything handmade. Gifts for everyone, for any occasion. Come in and get ao-anainta Lpids,
tod. 4409 S. Division, clO-tf
EVERYONE HAS PAINTING TALENT.
Learn to paint in ten easy lenons of individual instruction.
No aga restrictions. 100% past succeo. 8 y e a n of teaching
experience. Guaranteed 3 paintings in the 2 hour, 1 night a
week, 10 week course. $20.00. Make Reservations.
THE SUNFLOWER,
2846 Lhicoln Lake Road. Lowell
897-9649 aveningi Qfrty ̂
PAINTING k DECORATING - No job top small 9494)526. 5-c3»tf
T A IT IRON WORKS - Fabri-cat ating, production A custom weld-ng steel stabs, railinu, and orna-
mental iron. Lowell 897-8631 c9-ll
CUSTOM UFHOLSTERING-Sam-ples shown in your home. Free estimates, pick-up A delivery. Call "" 1,676-5571. Mrs. Bliin, 4-c42tf
PROFESSIONAL
CERAMICS STUDIO
Tlie public is invited to Key Heights, Lowell new ceramic dasa-ea. Fully equipped studio with kiln and wheel Classes conducted by award winning Garnett Miller (Miller's of Grattan). Open to all abilities. Starts June 17, Thursday. (3 time chokes). 10a.m. til noon. 1 pan, til 3 p.m., 7 til 9 p.m. Fee*. $2 vvi iliwh To £££&!! CSl! Key Heights Mobile Home Coop Recreation Hall Phone 897-9749. (Formerly Cumberland Leisure Es-tates). Office Hours; Monday A Tuesday, 9 til noon. Wed, Thurs. A FrL 2 til 6 p.m. Village Mana-
Cal A Betty Brown, 11335 Jton E-, M-21
tty Browi I, Lowell, Ml
C 9 - 1 3
MOSQCJITO SPRAYING - Tree spraying and complete tree service. North American Tr© 2466.
ree Co. Ph. 458-08-11
condi- ' HOMEWORKERS - To do ing in their homes. If you can tvpe or print plainly, you can make $50 mailing 150 envelopes. For com-plete Ust of firms and instructions, •end $1 to cover handlin* cost to: DAY ENTERPRISES, P. a Box 94, Dept 51, SusanviSe, Calif. 9613(1
c7-ll
EVERGREENS
Shrubs - Shade Trees
& Orrtamettlals
$2.95 and up
•697-7120 or B 9 7 8 < J 3
FARM BOOMS RED A WHITE - Top Silos: Now being sold for 1971 at EARLY ORDER DISCOUNT FRIC-1
ES. 42 years of experience mean i the best possible job for you. We d o ' the complete Job including the ' foundation. Write or call t q ^ a y and get all the facts aboutthe silo-with the heaviest and beft inside finish. Silo-Matk and Viifflsle un-loaders and feeding -equipment Booms Silo Co., Inc., Harber Beach, Mich., 48441 or phone: (517) 479-, 6654. C39-11BM
REAL ESTATE TWO-BEDROOM - Lowell Subur-ban Rancher situated on pne acre. Living room, family room, built-in kitchen, nice bathroom - all carpet-ed. Phis chained-in back yard and enclosed carport For sale oy own-er, ^d l 897-9808. p 7 - | |
HOUSES FOR SALE We need listings in the Lowell-Ada area. We have need for 2-Bedroom and 3-Bedroom homes with small acreage. Call one of our salesmen for fast
F H K K ! 3 8 PAGE CATALOG Of
made THE I.IU.Y JO
TAHl.F.
$59.95
Vim i our viohi soon! Carl Porslvind
.ml Thtct Sum) in IWIM. MAM MMOt WCH <HU
897-9829
rea l ty 897-8669
ELECTRICAL WIRING - FIXTURES
REPAIRS G, E. APPLIANCES
Rickert Electric
208 South Hudson
Phone 897-9802 Lowell
Does Your Roof Leak?
Roofing, Repairing.
Hot Tar
J. E PERRIEN
897-8525 Lowell
uy qualifii contracts. Call or see Peter Speers-tra, TW 7-9259 or David F. Owns, Lowell Savings and Loan Associa-tion, 217 West Main Street, Low-HL Phone 897-8321. 16-c35tf
CASH! - If you are willing to dia-count your Land Contract 1 will pay cash for i t Phone 456-8224.
16-€32-tf
PRINTING - For the home, busi-ness, industry, dubs, governmental units. Ecvelopes letterheads, tick-ets, wedding snnouncements, hahd-hiUs, statements, labels, brochures, or whst have you? Lowell Ledger, 105 N. Broadway Street Lowell Ph. 897-9261. p45-tf
CONCRETE WORK - O f all kinds. Free estimates. Call Saranac 642-9541, collect Oaytoe Houseman.
c5-tf
SAUGATUCK FLEA MARKET-1 Opea every Saturday and Sunday. B s m Stat Highway and 64 th Street I Spaces araiSMa. Phone 457-1623. Coneaaau . o9-12l
Grave Screened for cement or road work
Stooea for drain field
Fill Sand at oer pit on Gee Drive or deliver-ed within 10 miles of Lowell
Ooaad Saturday Af teraoona
CALL
Byron Weeks TW7-8286
Weekdays or Evenings
Well Drill ing
PUMP REPAIR Fast Service, Free Estimates
Fully Insured
E. D. Richard CALL: S87-8104
MEEKHOF LUMBER CO.
8045 28th Street SE
949-2140 FREE
Delivery • Estimates S & H Green Stamps
C£a*A PIUMBIN6 & HEATING
3091.MAIN ST.,LOWELL, MICHIGAN
Ledger/Suburban Life July 1 ,1971 11
Lowell-Fallasburg Centennial 1871-1971
1
i a r / \
CARRIAGE SHOP THE OLD MILL
Vergennes in 1838 was a community of only 19 families.
The lest log drive on the Flat river took place in 1870.
The fi.-st trading post in Kent county was * taWished near Lowell In 1800 by Joseph La Framboise and his beautiful In-
dian wife. Madeline.
Other names for Lowell have been Vergennes Township,
Dansville, and "The Mouth . "
FALLAS RESIDENCE
Sylvester Hodges is accredited with being the first settler
in Vergennes.
Fallasburg was named after Silas S. Fallass. who settled in
the area in t h e spring of 1837.
S C H O O L H O U S E
In 1836 Sylvester Hodges planted the first apple trees in Loweil. helped to build the first house in the area, and became
the first settler In Vergennes.
STAGECOACH INN AND RESTAURANT
S&R
GENERAL STORE
YOUR. Bath is out-Moded .Sir I
WE CAN MAKE IT "UP-TO-DATE"!
\ca**6m [PLUMBING & HEATING] UHMMKilHSiiltUlliiiBlMl » 0 9 t . m > M r r . , l 0 W l L L . M t C H I « m
Enjoy The Celebration
Lowell wts • village for nearly 100 yeen before Its voten ( S J approved incorporation of the village and part of the town-
ship es a home-rule d t y in 1969.
Before concrete supports were constructed under the Fallasburg Bridge, it stood erect on wooden pilingi as the picture shows.
In 1931 Lowell had more electric ranges per capita than
any other town in the state.
The Vergmnes town hall and grangi hall ^ a s once the Walker Tavern, e favorite stage coach stop.
Welcome To The
NTENNIAL CELEBRATION
0 8 8 8
Putt On In & See Us
s LOWELL nrp\/inr
ZEPHYR m
AT 607 W. MAIN OR CALL AT TW7-9621.
We've got a good thing going with our customen. We lore them. They tare ua. Not since the "crackecbaneT dayi has there been any better customer •crvice anywhere. There have been aome riianges, of coorae, for the betterment of our image aa LowelTs "most complete food market". . . but our old-fashioned friendliness never changes. Stop in and try us.
—Famous For— • BAR-B-Q CHICKEN! • SPARE RIBS DELICIOUS!
COLD POP - m - WINS TO TAKKHITI
B & J GROCERY 209 W. Main St. Lowell. Michigan
OPEN DAILY-INCLUDING SUNDAYS i tiOLipXYK Cmll mhtod far Fait Tokm-Owt of BorhkcutJ Foods. Leaw?f 697-4791
Lowell-Fallasburg Centennial 187M971
Celebrate The
Centennial At
Kerr's Tavern
BEER, WINE A SANDWICHES
Eatt Main Straat
"The Big Snow Storm, Feb. 22, 1912.
Louis Campau, a Saginaw trader, came to Kent county in 1827 with $5,000 worth of merchandise and raised a wigwam on the west side of the Grand river where Grand Rapids is
now located.
The first log house was erected in Lowell in 1831 by Dan-
iel Mersec. the village founder.
First president of the village of Lowell was Cyprian S. Hooker, builder and mill operator, who served in that office
from 1861-64.
^ Ledgw/Suburben Life t < 1.1971 The first dam across the Flat river was constructed in 1847
by Cyprien S. Hooker, who also built a grist-mill on the east
bank at the same time. Cyprian S. Hooker built the first frame house in Dansville
(now Lowell) in December. 1846
When You Think
a
insurance
Think
J R B Agency Inc 835 W. MAIN ST.. LOWEIL
PHONE 897-9253
This Isn't 1871
But iVe Still Carry
Lanterns- Lamps-& Kerosene-
LOOKS Pretty
Wotchers
Cistern Pumps t Coal Hnrts
HAHH HABOWARE UO WELL-
PHONE TW7r-W9€ 2 0 7 E. Main St . L q w e l l P h o n e 8 9 7 - 7 5 0 1
Where Good
People Meet!
1 1 Keep Your
Heap Running
For A Long Time.a-
I
Happy Centennial
UTOMOTIVE OWELL Lowell Cafe
301 West Main - 897-9624
201 E. M a i n Street, Lowell
Ledger/Suburban Life A r f y f ; * * 14
The towmhip of Ada offciwllv Induikd what are now the adjacent towns of Cascade and Caledonia.
Collision & Glass Work
BRISTOL'S Body
Shop
A fire In 1905 daimad a portion of the business area This scene of the fire occurred in the area now occu-pied by Lippert's Pharmacy.
222 W. Main
Lowell
I f.U.«JLIJUUH I t t M.8.Ul.U.8.»-BJJULLiUU^
Radio And TV
Have Come
A Long Way
Since 1871
RADIO SERVICE CO. 206 E. Main - TW 7-9276
r . l U.I.8.9.UJ>.U.».fl.8.t.t.8.8 8 1 8 8 8 8 « U I t U t B H £
There's been some changas made . . . this photo taken from a postcard showr the business lane on West Main Street.
xmh/mm- r. meHS propr lc tor t
HQUWS WMkdtys 7:30 - 6 : 0 0
Saturday* 7:00 • 3 : 0 0
O L D F A S H Z O K S D
Values
LOWELL SHOP
Clothing & Shoes
W E P M A H ' S - ^ f -1 0 3 E . M a i a S t . U « l l « » 7 - 7 7 » J
•a a a — M n
^ HAIRCVTTING
^ BEARD & MOUSTACHE
TRIMMING
^ Moustache Ptoa:, Pommades
Colognes, Waters, etc.
1 THIS WEEK - OLD FASHIONED TONIC 1 0 ( t
SOFTEE CHEME
Happy
100 Yrs.
Fallasburg
At the comer of
East Main and Jefferson
Lowell-Fallasburg Centennial 1871-1971
Ladfar/Suburban Ufa July 1 ,1071
i a w p a ^ i
u ?
The junction of the Flat and Grand Riven was the sita of
the third settiament in Kent County
The first brick dwelling built in Lowell was erected by the
Rev. Mr. Mai pas on Division Street
[ o w e L L | ) T / \ T e 8 ^ | S K p U L L ^ H BLOCfy
Ledger/Suburban Lift July 1 .1971 16 M , j
WELCOME TO FALLASBURG COVERED BRIDGE LOWELL AREA CENTENNIAL
Calendar of Events
Sunday, June 27
8:30 A.M. - Mayor's Breakfast; Masonic Temple - Name of Centennial Queen to be announced; Public invited -tickets $1.50.
Observance of Religious Heritage - All Churches.
11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. - Ice Cream & Desserts Social; St. Mary's Rectory Lawn.
Picnics - Reunions, etc. - Fallasburg Park.
Balloon Ascension - Sky Diving • Fallasburg Park (weather permitting).
Ball Game - Fallasburg Park.
Midway at fairgrounds open thru July Sth; Children's rides & concessions.
8:30 P.M. - Mais Choir - Area Churches; Showboat Stage
Monday, June 28 PIONEER & SENIOR CITIZEN DAY
Registration at Hospitality Centers; Fallasburg Park Pavilion & VFW Hall. E. Main. LoweU.
12.00 - Box lunch ivailsbls at FiBsfbuig Park at noon (Planned for people over sixty-five).
Recognition of Pioneer Bimily Members.
Awards to person with longest continuous residence (Lowell area).
Awards to persons frayeKng farthest from North -South - East & West.
Historical Homes & Sites Tours. Bus leaving Fallas-burg Park at 2:00 P.M. & returning to Pavilion.
Horse Shoe Pitching Contest - Fallasburg Park & other activities throughout the afternoon.
Tuesday, June 29 YOUTODAY
Participation k observation of YMCA events through-. out the week. (See their schedule of events).
Log Sawing Contest - Fallasburg Park; Apple Bobbing Contest - Fallasburg Park.
2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. - Two archery demonstrations -Fallasburg Park; Gunny sack races - Penny scramble.
3:00 P.M. - Tricycle races - High School track
3:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. - First aid demonstrations; Home Economics; House near showboat stands.
6:00 P.M. - Ball Game - Fallasburg Park.
6:30 P.M. - Youth Day Parade. Lowell. Drawing for pony -Showboat stage.
Coronation of Centennial Qieen - Showboat stage.
First night of programs on showboat stage. "Battle of the Bands".
Youth Dance, following.
6 « 5 § r t
1* loco US 14
! I
i
i
Wednesday, June 30 LADIES DAY
Various Centennial Belles activities - all day informa-tion available at VFW Hall, Hospitality Center.
Demonstration of china painting k exhibit - Alice Baver.
2:00 P i ! . - Tea k Fashion Show - Runciman Bldg.; "Wed-ding Gowns, Then k Now"; "Fashions. Old k New'*, Judging of centennial costumes.
Doll Show - little girls under 10 yrs. - Runciman Bidg.
7:00 PJ4. - Riding Lawn Mower Race - H J . Track. (Cen-tennial Belles only) - Lowdl.
8:30 P i ! . - "Roaring Twenties Gala • Showboat Stage"
Orval Jessup - Centennial band concert featured.
Thursday, July 1 BUSINESS k INDUSTRY
Bargain Days - All retail stores.
Scavenger Hunt - 13-18 yrs. High school. Originating VFW Hospitality Center.
1:00 - 5:00 P.M. — Tour oi Dr. Ruiii HeiuJut Muscuni. (Antique Glass) Open house. (Adults Only) Coffee & cookies.
Wheel Barrow Race - High school track.
5:00 P i ! . - Soft ball game • Brothers of Brush & Local Businestyen.
3rd Prod. 'Talent Night**: Showboat Stage.
Friday, July 2
Open house - conducted tours of local factories.
5:00 to 8:00 at High School - Senior Varsity Chicken BBQ
7:00 P.M. - Centennial Commemorate Coin Auction -Kangaroo Kourt - Main St.
Final showboat stage program; Nashvilles Grand Ole Opry; Lonzo & Oscar & The Country Caravan.
The Lonzo & Oscar Show is one of the funniest k most entertaining shows on the road today. They have appeared on all the major network television shows.
The Country Caravan is one of the finest back-up bands to the "Who's Who" of Grand Ole Opry.
Saturday, July 3 VETERANS k FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION DAY
Judging - Brothers of the Brush - Showboat stage.
10:30 A.M. - Auction of beards; street barbecue - 15cea.
2:00 P i l . - Lowell Area - Fallasburg Centennial Parade. Largest in Lowell history.
6 area bands - Saranac Historical Color Guard (Partici-pants in 1964 Inaugural Parade).
Following parade 2nd Pony Auction - Eberhards Parking Lot.
Traditional July 4th Homecoming
Fallasburg Arts § Crafts Show
State Wide Participation.
LOWELL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Lodger/Suburban Lif t f July 1, 1971 17
This is the Fallasburg Bridge as it stands to-d a y . . . its beauty has caught the attention of camera enthusiasts and painters alike, as it stands stately over the curving Flat Riv-e r . . . and is a land-mark to many who have traveled the area down through the years.
Berme s Barber Shop
Main St raa t
L o w e l l
Gooden's Shoe Repair
897-7506
203 E. Main St.
UTBENTH! FASHIONS
106 W. Main
897<8178
For generations, since 1892, discriminating gentlemen have been coming to Coons for the latest in clothing and haberdashery.
While we no longer stock hard collars, arm bands, silk hats and spats. BE PATIENT: they may return to fashion, as did Nor-folk jackets, flared trousers and high boots.
217 West Main. Lowell TW 7-7132
- .-a • j *'$L4: hi 'e (-At
Ledger/Suburban Lift July 1 ,1971
\ - , \ ! 7 / /
r j i - i ' ' I . / / ^ V - •" •
/ • • / ' K ' / / 7 ' .V \ V
f - V / Z l ' VY
i
S ^ W f
f/ *c& i , h ' t f T W A ^ ^ .
i ri
W ' t ><•, <*,.f.¥ C ' A T M V 1 - c ^ ^ C o n c H t c . h T i o r > A L ( ! H u P c + t
N 7 i U i / ^ ^ 5}T.
Lowell-Fallasburg Centennial 1871-1971
8r Ledger/Suburban Life July 1 ,1971 19
R. J. IDE, INC.
REALTOR
W. Main Lowel l
897 -9239
t s A t j - ' S
H^PPy CENTENNIAL
DICK McCAUL'S TEXACO • EXHAUST SYSTEMS • OIL CHANGES
SERVICE * LUBRICATIONS • BRAKE REPAIRS
• SHOCK ABSORBERS • TUNE-UPS • FRONT END ALIGNMENTS
TIRES • BATTERIES - ACCESSORIES
W«»t Main Stroet
Lowell-Fallasburg Centennial 1871-1971
Pat & Neal's
Antiques T n
The Shop of Quality
Specializing in Antique Clock Repair
220 W. Miin
* * *
t * * * * *
| * * «
t
wi>
y } a y / < J * * * * - IMWI HI V;
iiliTuiilaiitMM •••••••••i tiTit'i mill iiii •••••(• niiii'iMiMti it
FAST SERVICE
FOR BUSY PEOPLE
25 Years In The Same Loca t i on !
KEISER'S KITCHEN 521 W. Main St. Lowel l . Mich. Phone 8 9 7 - 9 9 4 5
** t
* * * * * * * * * * * * * { * f * I
A little bit ef pride goes a long way when a lot
of fo lks pu t it oil toge ther . Look wha t i t ' s done fo r
LOWELL, which ho t o proud lot t o " b o o s t " about
dur ing the 100 th b i r thday celebra t ion.
W e Ntnily believe in our communi ty and i ts
f u t u r e . To our f r iends a n d cus tomers , we r ea f f i rm our
object ive: To help in every way possible t o promote
progress and prosperity.
Happy bir thday, everybody !
••MIMIMMmMMMIMtntMMfMMUUiMlillllMHIUIIIIIHMimHIMIMMMUtll
LOWELL UGHT & POWER
OWNED BY THE PEOPLE OF LbWELL g-v
o J S 9 3
t t *
!
Ledger/Suburban Lit#
So You're 100 Yean Old! F allasburg
NEWELL MANUFACTURING
897-9271
1 LOWELL'S FIRST WHITE S P f l t f i R , ' * * *
The first white man to settle »fi what « now LoweU, was an eighteen-year-old Frenchman from Detroit, by the name of Daniel Marsac (Marsaque). He was tall, straight, altletic and well liked by the Indians. In fact, he first made his home with Chief Wobwindeto. He came through the wildemesi by Indian trail in 1829. He carried on a fair trade with the Indi-ans, but it wasn't until the spring of 1831 that he built a small log cabin trading post, on the south bank of Grand river, di-rectly opposite where Flat river cmplle* into the Grand. There the Indians would exchange fur pelts, berries, and maple sug-ar, for cloth, beads, ammunition, and whiskey.
Marsac married a beautiful Indian girl, Jenute, according to the ceremonies of the Ottawa tribe. She was a true and loving wife, and had one daughter, Marie. When the child was five years old Marsac insisted that die be sent to his relatives in Detroit to be educated. This nearly broke Jenute's heart. Nevertheless, the husband took Marie away, but in a short time the child was taken ill and died.
When the white settlers began coming into the Grand Riv-er valley Marsac became ashamed of his squaw, so he went to Detroit and married a French woman by the name of Colette Beaufait, and brought her back to his trading post. This was too much for Jenute and she died soon after.
Obviously Marsac lost the respect and trade of the local tribe, so he turned his attention to farming. He sold or trad-ed his land on the south side of Grand river, and bought an eighty-acre plot on the north side of the river, east of Flat, where he later platted a " - - • -portion of It and called it Dansville.
PIR3T IN LOWELL
The Old Skat in t Rink The fad of 1884 was for old and yount to gather at the
Lowell Skating Rink, one'of the bait in Michigan, and ikate rythmically around and arc while an untiring orchestra played and the spectators looked down from the gallery above. Thii large rink was financed by a stock company, and watfebated south of the present 0 . J . Yeiter furniture stores. Alter the fire the company did not rebuild because the fad h a d ^ t n e d . I".- "
'If
1 OLD FASHIONED ROOTBEER
CUP THIS COUPON
; o ;
• f - f I S i f t
» -K I S m !ii
l» '
HMMNI picture circa 1937
a v o • v o o o o m m i m a m m i n 11 n m ' n n 1 1 1 m T r e n r n r m n .
»C. E. KISOR. S T A N D A R D .
A. P; A Y R E S *
3GRANITE AND MARBLE W O R K ^ ? HOME OFFICE A N D W O R K S A T LOWELL, MICH. Hmpoiters of Scotch Granite and Italian Marble.--
" -.Dealers in American Marble and Granite; UmeUry work wreied In every ptrt of th« eonnlrjr. EaUmiie* given on toy hind of cemetery work.
ad from 1893 Granite Woriu
\M i viv i
m %
l i
i! m
LOWELL GRANITE CO. gi: \$& Use This
At The Price
GRANDPA Poid | |
Cents A M U g
L O W E L L A 8 i W
3 0 6 E. Main St reet 8 9 7 - 7 1 9 1 Coupon Th* Lively End of Town
Use This Coupon
FANTASTIC
FENCE SALE!
RUSTIC SPLIT RAIL Rustic split rail design is pleasingly simple, sur-prisingly inexpensive and harmonizes well with either traditional or contemporary homes. Handsome 10' long red cedar rails install quickly and weather beautifully. Gates, end, corner posts and other accessories are also available at your Wicked center. HIAVY DUTY
10 FT. SEGTIOK 2 RAILS AND I POST ONLY
$
I
RUGGED, GALVANIZED W v X Y W .
M O P
PER FT. INSTALLED!
Here's the ideal fence for any "keep 'em in or out" purpose . . . children, pets or just plain privacy. This chain link fence is thoroughly galvanized for durability, long life and easy maintenance-nothing to re-place, no sagging, no yearly
MINIMUM ORDER 100 FEET
painting. Telei a free, no obha Gates & terminal posts extra.
f ione Wickes for l igat ion, est imate,
\ REDWOOD BA8KETWEAVE
Picture your home surrounded in the beauty and privacy of r e d w o o d f e n c i n g . M a c h i n e woven for consistent quality. 8' sections.
4 FT.
•14" 5 FT.
I 6 « I FT.
1 8 " GATES « POSTS AT EXTRA COST
WHITE CEDAR STOCKADE C o n s t r u c t e d ot M i c n i g a n White Cedar for years of last-ing beauty, privacy and pro-tection. 6' high by 8' long sections.
O x r SECTION
•19.97 GATES & POSTS AT EXTRA COST
LUMBER ond BUILDING
. SUPPLIES CENTER
CREDIT AVAILABLE - INSTALLATION SERVICE
AVAILAILE AT KENTWOOD CENTER ONL 2929 WOODCUFF. S.E.
M c r o u from Woodland M a i f i
949-7070 MM. m4 M. 9 A. M. t* I P. M. — Tim. - Wjt* • TWv
9 A.li. t* 8:30 P.M. Sat. • A.M. fa 4 P.M.
Ledger/Suburban Life July 1 ,1971 22
" V s NW.
PURE GOLD FLOUR J p e u c K m M n o u i . I in SHOW b IN ThE BAK'Nti
m ̂
Joseph La Framboiw was murdered by the Pottawattam-ies in 1809, but Mme, La Framboiw maintained Kent County's first trading post until its contents were bought by Rix Rob-inson and moved to Ada in 1821.
Lowell's first school was a primitive log hut, erected on the west side of the Flat river in April, 1838, near the site of the present Li^it and Power plant
Lowell's first school teacher was Caroline Baird, who begm instruction in 1838.
A. M c M I I ^ L x A N , D E A L E R IN
GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS. Boyer and Shipper of All Kinds of Produce.
LYON BLOCK. - LOWELL. MICH.
J. K O P F . G. KOPF, J r .
FURNITURE, FURNITURE, FURNITURE -AND
F U N E R A L F U R N I S H I N G S . BANK BLOCK, EAST SIDE. LOWELL, MICH.
D p E D M C Q U E E N , V . S., fturcMir ' o Pr r r l i i A P >rlii.
jjEivgrg. Eggri and Salefc 8 T A L I L H
Nwly Fitted With the F'n»st L;i» of Horsrs, Car-riages, Cutters, Etc. First-da-s Rigs
it All Hours on Short Notice. Boardrra will n twlve the brtt or our* and lUi ntloa
LAOWRLAU
Gr dui'eifO tvrioVetfrinrjrCollege,Toronto Ont.
TU4T« ALL DHKAaU Of
H O R S E S , C A T T L E , E C T . Order* by null or Ulcgraph will r*c«l*i prompt •Urntloe
SCospl ta i l f o r Xabo .* a^xxd. Dl*ea*edL
Thank you!
Without the help of so many people it would have been impossible for us here at the Ledger to come up with all the uata neces-sary to make this publication possi-ble. To all who contributed in any way, I extend mv sir
Uw be MM at all boon if Ml prufrMiunaJly a n p e r d
MICHIGAN.
^ (ft IpWEJlTHti
Outdoor Living Is Fun u p a c t a l l y whan y o u can hava
thoaa " a t h o m a " convanlanca*
you ' r a uaad t o . The Daatrol la t d r y
Mnl tary toI lM provldaa o n * of
thoaa convaniancaa in a amall aalf-
con ta lnad pack aga t h a f a pa r t ac t
fo r Inau l l a t ion in a n y r a m o t a lo-
ca t ion . Bacauaa it it aa l f -conta inad
it doaa n o t raqulra oo i t i y aaptic
ayt tama, p lumbing or ho ld ing
t a n k s . . . h i * this f a a t u r a t h a t
makaa It ao popular w i t h o u t d o o r paopla .
E n j o y o u t d o o r living . . . b u t nc
tha Inconvaniancaa . . . I natal I a
Daatroilat , tha d r y san i t a ry tollat
t h a t providas " a t h o m a " c o m f o r t
a n d convan lanca a n y w h a r a .
Indoor Comfort and Convenience
INorgas G A S S E R V I C E
- f o r any home located beyond the reach of
city gas mains
WE CARRY A COMPLITE
LINK OF OAS APFU AN CIS
Ask about our
BUDOKT PLAN
Northern Propane GdScomm
dry sanitary foilaf K. F a l t o n A v e . . L o w e l l P k o a e 8 9 7 - 9 3 4 8
i & i T f t ^
Ledfer/Suburban Life July 1 ,1971 23
Lowell-Fallasburg Centennial 1871-1971
Tho«e in picture, left to E. D. MCQUEEN, H. J.
LOWELL CITV HALL DEDICATED 1910
AS ADVERTISED ON
JULY 5 ,1871
40 Acres in Vergennes, one mile from Lowell. Partly im-proved. Excellent land for f ru i t Price $30 an acre.
3 Village lots on Monroe Street, containing a good house and out buildings. Well supplied with frui t and shrub-bery. Price $900. Will exchange for a good team, wagon and harness, as part payment
a a a
Wanted - Agents ($20 per day) to sell the celebrated Home Shuttle Sewing ma-chine. Has the under feed, makes lock stitch, and is fully licensed. The best and cheap-est family sewing machine on the market Johnson, Clark & Co., Boston, Macs.
Ribbed Hose, 10c pair at Devendorf and Blain's.
Pepper. . . Hecklers
Too often history, even the most recent history, seems to us to be nothing more than 3 w o c m i a n of dates.
Sometimes we forget that the people who lived even as recently as fifty years ago
SULLiyAN WELL DULLINt
Hi
PUMP SERVICE J. Swiqer, Lowell 897-7629 G. Seese, Ctarksville OW 37103
c31tf
Forest Hills
Septic Tank
Service
949-8143
Ownef Mike Folia
were not just masses of gray faces, but individual human beings who led lives as rich and as varied as our own.
They had their troubles just as we do, and amusing in-cidents happened to them just as they happen to us.
A case in poinl u fuuuJ in the October ID, 1905 issue of The G. R. Post Though only recording a small event of no lasting importance, this 55-year-old news story turns a cold and forgotten past into a warm and vital reality.
"As a result of his pepper-ing several young men with bird shot at a chaviari on the occasion of his wedding in Vergennes township last spring, Samule VandenBroeck was convicted of assault and bat-tery in the circuit court yes-terday.
"The complainants asked for conviction on the charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, but the jury made it simple assault and battery-perhaps with some feeling that Vanden-Broeck was not a whole lot to blame.
"Sentence was not passed, a stay of pioceedings for two weeks being granted."
Even the most unimagina-tive mind today can fill in the complete details of this brief report and arrive at a richer view of past life.
Village Blacksmith
1 Need A Second Car? |
For 6ood Buys ^ Stop At ^
Your Neighborhood Used Car Dealer
Dykhouse & Buys 6915 Cascade Road 949-1620 ^
"Lowell people testify to permanent cures." blared a no-tice in the Lowell Ledger, and proved it by printing a testi-monial by a prominent local b!i5ine«man
The time wis 1906, long before the television commer-cial, but the message was the same.
"Many people never sus-pect their kidneys" the article warned. "If sufferings from a lame, weak or aching back they think that it is only a mus-cular weakness; so it is with all the other symptoms of kidney disorders."
Fortunately, there were no pictures of rapidly-dissolving pills, of hammers hitting nerve centers, or of alarm clocks tick-ing loudly in the wee small hours.
But fear was struck in read-ers' hearu when the article an-nounced that "you must cure these troubles or they lead t o diabetes or Bright's disease"
Naturally, "the best remedy to use is Doan's Kidney Pill*."
A local blacksmith, who re-sided near the Methoditf Chur-ch, had this to say about the little pills:
"I was shoeing a horse some time ago. He jerked and tore a round considerable, and the re-sult was I strained my back, I was not laid up from it entire-ly, but 1 might as well have been for I went about my work in great misery and I turned away some customers."
A pretty bleak picture, and no doubt, all Ledger readers were absorbing every word to see how the problem would be resolved.
"Just when I was suffering the worst," the blacksmith went on to state, "1 noticed l o a n ' s Kidney Pills advertised and got a box at W. S. Wine-gar's drug store.
"I took them about a week when 1 noticed the pain in my back was disappearing.
"I followed the treatment up with another box and to make a good permanent cure, 1 got a third. It made a com-plete cure."
The new convert then went on to mention, just to clinch the matter, that his "wife used Doan's Kidney Pills and they did equally as well for her. We take pleasure in endorsing them tn anyone suffering from kidney trouble or backache."
Thus the article ended on an optimistic note, and Ledger subscribers could move on to the next column-and the next pill testimonial by another neighbor.
After all, with at least three drug stores in town, the com-petition for the reader's eye was a little bit keen.
Ver Shiis Laihcipt Smrici
Complete Designing. Residen-tial, Commercial. Industrial. Sodding and Seeding, Patio
Construction.
8897 Vergennes. Ada. 676-2211
Cosh paid for standing timber
SL Jihi's Hartoii i Ci.
Write
SL John's, Mich. 48879 of call
Dennis LaBar 224-4107 c3-2B
- ILA'S -DECORATING
Service Papering t Painting
SEE MV UME OF
WALLPAPER HOOKS
AND PAINTS
CALL 676 4656
GASeUME at NO STAMP Prices!1
E I G H T I L B H D S O F G A S - O B R fff y<ORr c ^ i
R M * !
JIM'S SERVICE M-2L ADA Jfan Vtoee*, Pnfrietor fTMCU
• BATTERIES •TTBES
• LUBRICATING • OIL CHANGES
U s s y H
Lodgtf/Suburbtn Lift July 1 .1971 24
Lowell-Fallasburg CentenniaM 871 -1971 T T T T T T T T r T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
Cash & Carry 1893 J><S*SSi.9
NOW-Shop Walter's With New Fangled Ease
Walters Lanber Mart 926 W. Main, Lowall 897-9291
WKkm^--
The Christian Crmadan Band as thay visitad the Fallasburg A r a a . . . stopping for a few minutes olf relaxation at the Bridge. Taken in 1899 this photo shows Lieutenant Lansing Mudge, Lieutenant Anna West Fell, Mrs. Nora Reynolds end Ceptain Charles Reynolds.
t - n m m n r t T B i
' S t a t e 5
Is RuBy
Abut
Service!
Some things change, but the good old-fashioned Integrity, Service and Personal Atten-tion still exist • . . unspoiled by the years.
Wt a t S ta t* Saving* congratulata tha Communi ty of Falla*-
burg Bridga u p o n Its 100th Birthday C*t«br t ion. I t ' s b a a n a
plaasura and a privllaga t o hava baan a big p a n of thia (rand
h ino ry for t h a paat 37 yoarsl
A FuU Scsvice laak
Serving You From Two Convenient Locations
STATE SAVINGS BANK OF LOWELL
Downtown Offices And Westown Branch
Member: Federal Depoat Insur* tt CorporaCjon Friendly, Neighborty Senricc for 37 Conrinoow Yean!
D m 11 t t t n . t . t . t . i j L t u . t . u . M u . n t m U J L I t . t . t t n u m . i u u J
LEARN TO FLY! Ask Ut About
$140 TO SOLO IN A CESSNA 151
v ^ Solo: S15.00 - Dual: S19.00
J f - approximately 10 hours dual (solo assured)
FAA and VA approved school
y L Ve te rans . . . government will pay 90% of your flight train-ing
COMI OUT AMD ASK FOR AN INTRODUCTDRir LISSON
W o L e J u t t e . A o i a t i O H
IONIA COUNTY AIRPORT PH. 5274*71
AIRPLANE I B B $ 1 1 1 P D
Donuts 800 A Dozen
Lowell Bakery 216 East Mai- S t , Lowdl — 897-9590
I
Udgw/Suburfoan Life July 1,1971 25
When you buy from Williams you get Magnawx
plus one day service.
' J H I
Unbelievable, but true. Williams Magnavox offers one-day service on anything you buy. That prom-ise is easy to keep because we service only what we sell, and we sell only Magnavox. Which rarely needs servicing. But when some-thing does go wrong, there's a team of factory-trained technicians waiting for your call, waiting to serve you anywhere within our eight county area.
Because 98 per cent o f all re-
pairs are made in the home, we choose only nice-guy technicians. They'll never block your driveway, and always clean their shoes before they walk across your carpet. And, perhaps best of all, they'll tell you when they're coming so you don't waste a whole day waiting.
But repair service is just one part of Williams' story. When you enter a Williams store you're free to browse or consult with one of our super-soft super-salesmen. Choose from
Western Michigan's largest selection of home entertainment. And have it delivered in one day. There are easy financing plans and a liber-al trade-in policy. All at Williams Magnavox. Where there's as much quality in the customer service as there is in the Magnavox.
Williams Magnavox Home Entertainment Center Lake Drive/Wyoming/Eastbrook Mall
Ledger/Suburban Lift July 1 . 1 9 7 1 26
"Shelter Is Our Business"
J
Call 897-9829
realfy, inc
THE FLOOD OF 1904
There are a lot of old-timers that can still remember the flooding of the Flat River in 1904, that put the entire Main Street area under water, causing considerable damage to the stores, distributino debris all over, and making it impossible to travel through the a r ea . . . that is If you didn't own a boat
LOWELL LEDGER-SUBURBAN LIFE
Serving LoweU, the Fomt Hills uea, Alio, and Mttem Kent County, md western Ionia counties.
Published every Thursday by the Ledger Publishing Co., 105 N. Broadway, LoweU. Second Class pottage paid at LoweU, Michigan 4Q13!.
Ten cents per copy on newsstands. By Mail, S4 paid in advance in Kent and Ionia Counties; S5 elsewhere.
Phone (616) 897-9261 Card Lawrence, Editor
Office Hours Mofiday-Friday, 9 a.in.ito 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon
o - S ) 2
I I
Welcome To LOWELL -FALLASBURG
Royce ford Cars t Trucks
Thomet Chevrolet-Buicks-Opel
C G e n e ' s Bridgestsne Cycles & Used Cars
McQueen's Clirysier-Plymouth-Cricket
'915 FORO T
1925 CHEVROLET
Wittenbach Olds-Pontiac-GMC-lnternatlonal
Smith & Clemenz Used Cars & Trucks
Jackson Dodge Cars & Trucks 1901 GlDSMOBUE
For Your Best Automotive Buy See One Of Your Lowell Car Dealers
Ledger/Suburban Life July 1 ,1971 27
^ | | n | T i n r s i n i r n - r r r r i T n - n ^ - m r n m r i m i m r m i i n m v Celebration Plans Take Shape,
The Lowell Area Fallasburg Covcrcd Bridge Centennial com-mittee anounces that housc-to-house get-acquainted calls will be made on Monday, March 15.
Literature on the program for the celebration will be dis-tributed and those interested in Lowell area growth will be urg-ed to volunteei their services as well as purchase Centennial Certificates.
Definite plans have been drawn up for the week of the cele-bration, June 27 - July 3, and the following special days will be observed: Sunday - Religious Heritage Day; Monday - Pion-eer and Senior Citizen Day; Tuesday - Young America Day; Wednesday - Belles Day; Thursday - Business Progress Day; Friday - Community Day; Saturday - Military, Veterans and Fraternal Day.
Saturday will also be reserved as "rain-out" day to play any scheduled performance that has to be postponed because of weather conditions.
The Walker Tavern, a stage coach stop on the old highway from Grand F ^ i d s to Detroit, was built north of Lowell in 1837 by Eliba Walker. ^
At the turn of the century, Mosely, in Grattan Township, was a "big" shipping center, boasting several houses, a lodge hall, storage buildings, a passenger depot, an elevator, office building, blacksmith shop, general store-and a saloon.
i f i o i s a
DORIS MYERS*
BEAUTY SALON
LOWELL
8977981
? n m B.t.M 911 H n t m j j B B t M M j u u u u i u l
We Congratulate You
Lowell- F allasburg
On Your Centennial
Ltwell Engineering Corp. 3 1 9 E. Main St . 897-9214
Free Pepsi
With Any
Order
Over 50c
O n
Centennial
Days!
R
r
800 W. Main
897-9669 osie unve mn "Home of the ROSIEBURGER & the WOWBURGER'
r m T T m n f t
UEEN CASUALS for girls who know
the name of the game
)
£
Super Spor ts . . .
great go-together
COttOn d o u b l e kn i t s Fresh spring-into-summer active faaluon* that make youi I $ $ $ go a l o n g way, keep their cool, their shape, their true color. Smashing in mix-and-iuatch colorings of coral, yellow, green, blue, brown, white or navy.
A. Culottes, 8 to 20, $8.00
B. Jamaica Shorts, 8 to 20, 55.95
TOPS. . . . $3.95 and up
LOWELL
219-221 West Main S i . . GRAND RAPIDS
1507 Wealthy St . ,S.F
3ULSLfiJLfiJUJLmJLJUUUULOJULSUL^^
Lowell-Fallasburg Centennial 1871-1971
Ledger/Suburban Lift July 1 .1971 28
" l u O l C A R P E
...WE HAVE THE
REMEDY WITH FAMOUS DUPONT NYLON
CARRIAGE WLL CARPET YOUR •LIVING ROOM
•DINING ROOM
•HALL I I O A I O L I S S o r S I Z I
Q
Up to 252 squtrt f t t t of cur-ptting expertly installtd with
^ ptd and t t c k l t s mstallati^ strips t i t indudtd. Ab»lu-t d y no txtrtt i Sdtct ion of cotori to c tao t t .
^IvJ
ISTMATIS IN T W H O M t AKOLUTKY NO OMMATKMtt .
Carpet your Kitchen and
enjoy it while you save
j ? -
> IM ^ .Mi high < W y hm rM*r md dtfigMfd ctrpeHno Hid b t l k d M-
. . . VP TO IW IQ. N.TF car b ^ . i M f i M • ^
$ 9 »••• » WW* ^
dtdnicNbie, complddy imfalad in yoUr . . .m, .uimiiyy ww pr carpdmf )m m aHadwd Klgh-daruity foM rubbar backing. A carpatad k lumriaw, qaid, I M fafigowg, mofa edorW . . . a n d l U i earpd \ m « ditlanel j fain-rasi i tant guarantaa. colon to choota.
78
V M I . M M h •"•TO" MltOMTS
| Coll GRAND RAPIDS X/
245-8693 A Ck—f ym e»lon and ityiaj hi fW acfwal r*«Mi yon ara pl«n«l»^ t* car-pat. A v • i d makinf a dacorafiwf miftaka you'll kava fa live wrtk for yaara.
OUTUTS S a V I N G YOU THROUGHOUT MICHIGAN
RapMt • Jock^ot 9 M n k t g t t • Stotauw
l u i t g • H t l w d
MUSKEGON
759-8584 D e i t be diuppeiflted . • .
Call Richt New!
HRST CALLS —FIRST SERVED
( T t i C d b —CALL COLLECT!)
mt
I
(ffdest Landmark The fint grist mill built in 1847, located on the east bank
of Flat river, south side of Main street at end of the bridge, marks Lowell's oldest landmark. Cyprian S. Hooker, a mill-wright by trade, looked at the proposition of building the mill as nothing difficult for him to undertake. He bought nine acres of land on the east bank of Flat river of Daniel Marsac. The next in order was the water power which was granted by the government.
All the material for this building was rafted down Flat river from Kiddville. John S., son of C. S. Houker, a boy of 16, with the help of Indians did the rafting. By the time the lumber was on the ground the race was finished and things began to move.
On the morning of July 4 , 1 8 4 8 , 8 3 years ago, the first grist was ground.
What changes have taken place since then! If the old Quaker poet could only look back and cast his
mild eye on progress' hot track from the oxen that were to the autos that be: 0 , weeping Jersualem! What he would see!
Lowell's First Auto The first auto in Lowell was built and driven by Carl E.
English, in the year 1900. It was a two-cylinder air-cooled affair. The Lowell Cutter
Company built the regular surrey body. The wheels were 30-inch solid rubber tire. The frame was made of 2-inch angle iron, 1/8 inch thick. The two-cylinder gas engine was 2tt in. bore and six-inch stroke, usually fired with a hot tube for each cylinder, because electric ignition was not dependable at that time. The power was transmitted to the wheels from a friction clutch and jack shaft by sprocket wheels and chain, one speed ahead, ten or twelve miles per hour. To back up, the engine would reverse.
Well do the old-timers remember when this horseless car-riage was driven on our streets. More than one of the many friends of Mr. English would say, "I'll never ride in that con-traption," but on assurance by Mr. English would jump right in.
This new carriage did not long survive the casualties it musad. Horses ran away, buggies were wrecked, R. Van Dyke's delivery norse ran away «IIJ many othprt After Mr. English had paid John Mills several repair bills he decided to abandon the use of the auto for the time being.
Thus Lowell's first auto became history. Many of us, how-ever, have not forgotten the thrill of riding in Lowell's first horseless carriage.
Ladger/Suburban Lift J d y 1 .1971
[A Pleasure! to Dine with you at
ft rftVHITI f N SCTUIU THE
Lbvbb r e s t a u r a n t
•' Thelmi Roth-Cwnar *
119 E. Main S t , Lowdl. MicMgin
k'clcome To The Centennial
Superior Furniture Co.
318 E. Main Street, Lowell
• /MAW m T ^ •-
m M
MI
H. W. BOOTH - 1839-1931, Civi Wax Vetoan
Mobile Homes
Have Changed!
SOON
To Open
^ l ley Vista Village 897-9620
... .
July 1 ,1971 30 ..ygj
EL DORADO (One Of The Nations Largest Quality Camper Manufacturers)
Mini Motor Homes And Catnpers In Stock
Immediate Delivery 5 Year Financing
c o >
19' Mini Motor Homo Solf Contained
In Stock N O W
That Great Great Guy
OPEN MON., WED. &
THURS. Ji l l 9 P.M.
Grand Rapids 206 Jefferson S.E
Phone 458-3435
Udgw/SuburbM Life July 1, 1971 31
^ Fint row, left to right: E l l h f aulkner, Harold Force, Andrew Chappin, Will Murphy, Orville Austin, James Needham, Will Morse. Second row, left to right: Grace Newton, Winnie Fero. Delia Hatch. Oneita Spring, Katie McMahan, Mattie Packard, Martha Perry, Lelia Farland.
Third row, left to right: Mary Rausford, Mattie Thom-pson, Mammie Walsh, Cora Adams Livingston, Ger-tie Fallass, Hattie Wilson, Maude Livingston, Louise Barber. Fourth row, left to right: Orland Odell, Maude Har-' ris, Clara Walker. Linny Achason, Con Lee, Carrie Brannon, LaVanch More, Kattie Clark, Maud Rans-ford, U. B. Williams. Earl Hunter.
Fifth row, left to right: Geo Sereny, Fannie Brannan, Winnie Painter, Katie Murphy, Mannie Obrian. Net-tie Curr, Nellie Pearshall, Ray Godfrey. Mattie New-caln. Sixth row, left to right: Rose Lockwood, Sophia Gott, Bernice Crakes, Winnie Lee. Lillian Carter, Lena Pay-ne, Maude Giles, Minnie Blaskie, Winnie Wright, Flo-rence Wright.
Seventh row, left to right: C. S. Larsalene, Claude Cop-Jpens. Earnest McCarthy, George Hunter. Dee Crum,
Lee Crakes, Albert Blanding. Will Clark. Eighth row, left to right: Harley Maynard, Will Nor-ris, Floyd Panott, Geo. Cnw, Ed Stafford, Clare AI-then, Geo. Headworth, Ed Kenney, Roy McDeir-maid, Melville McPhersom.
Hazel made her
first hat
6 9 Years ago
And, She's
Still
in Business
Hazels Hat Shop 213 Of 2 1 5 W. Main, Lowell
The above group picture of Lowell's seven sur-viving Civil War veterans was taken by Mr. V. E. Ashley on May 29, 1931, following patriotic services held in the Central school building. Reading from left to right they are as follows:
Merritt Sayles, 84, Co. C, l l t h Mich. Cavalry. Robert Cheyne, 83. Cp. D, 16lh Mich. Iqlaniry. A. W Knee, 86, Co. 1̂ 44th Indiana Infantry. Edwin Fallas, 86, Co. F, 6th Mich. Cavalry.
\ H. B. Boylan, 82, Co. A, 22nd Michigan Infantry. Fred Rogers, 82. Co. H, loth Michigan Cavalry. Lee Edson, 83, Co. F, 15th N. Y. Enginers. When the Civil War started 70 years ago these
boys were in their early 'teens, their ages ranging from 12 to 16 years. L e f u s never forget the sac-rifice made by "The Boys in Blue" for the preser-vation of Ihe Union. Let heir memory be en-shrined forever in the hearts of a grateful people.
—From Lowell Ledger June 11, 1931.
Don't Just Sit There!
Take Her Bowling AT
AMERICAN LEGION BOWUNG LANES
805 E. MAIN ST. LOWCUU 897-7566
OPEN m m HOURS! Tk t r s iay t - I p.a. to S p.a. S i t i r iay 7 p.*. t i 10 p.a.
Paul Kellogg Vinegar Co. 166 So. Broadway Straat
Pictures Back In 1931
EXTR \ DINING CAR MINCEMEAT
KELLOGG MINCEMEAT
EXTRA DINING CAR RED & WHITE CIDER VINEGAR
KELLOGG RED & WHITE WINE VINEGAR
EXTRA DINING CAR RED & WHITE WINE VINEGAR
-KELLOGG RED A WHITE WINE VINEGAR
" * — —
U d | i r / 8 u b t t f b m U f t M y 1 . 1 9 7 1
Fallasburg Was A Community. This report of necessity is very brief, many omissions
will be made, credit may be given where credit is not due, however, in the few lines available we atk you to be char-itable for comments are to the best of my knowledge fac-tual.
Much has already been said previously in this issue on Fallasburg, suffice it is to say that in the 1840*3 fallasburg was a community of J 4 0 plus, with a distillary, stores, a hotel, blacksmith shops, manufacturers and church facil-ities. Later a seminary of higher education was added un-der the direction of Prof. A. Slayton and his wife, Mar-jorie McPherson Slayton.
However, when the white pine were harvested in Mont-calm County and the railroad came into Lowell, the town was dead, and the prime settlers of the community soon left.
The people of the Vergennes and Keene Township areas still consider the "burg" as a community center and the 4th of July celebrations and other festivities were the community centers for the area. Further, the "knock down, drag out" fights between the mermen , the Con-dons, the VandenBroecks and their supporters were things of community folklore. The Condons and Vanden-Broecks always won.
In the area surrounding Fallasburg, there were many in-teresting people. Dr. Rogers, third settler, cared for hors-es and livestock as a veterinary.
Things of long time interest were such items as floating the logs down the river and the sawing of the lumber to make such houses as the Tom Condon house and other buildings, still standing are of interest. The names such as Onan, VandenBroeck, Lynd, Esterley, Godfrey, Richmond, Ford, Westbrook, Sayles, Converse, Condon. Covert, and Wright are still well remembered. Some such as Condon, Richmond, Wright, Biggs are still a strength to the community.
The community of Alton also was a thriving center in the 1840*$ up to the ISSO's with its flour mill, punt shops, blacksmith shops, oress snop, with over iSO people adjacent to it. Today, only the Alton Bible Church built in 1867 stands as a memorial of the thriving commun-ity. This also was killed by the railroad passing a mile away. Storekeeper Keech moved his store somewhat north to the new railroad communitv of Moslev.
Here were Whites, Hapemans, Murrays, Kings, Fords, Churches, Weeks, Andrews, Rings, Wineflanjhirdys, and others who contributed greatly to the life of the area. Schools were built that did an outstanding job of edu-cating the children of the areas and three schools are still standing-that were built in the I860*s-The Mc-Pherson "chool, on the west side of Vergennes, the Al-ton School and the Watten School.
The area near Lowell was settled in the-ISSO's with Robinsons. Kings, Lees, Foxes, Hodges, McCabes, Dan-iels, who are remembered only by studying the tomb-stones in the cemetery near LoweU. Sylvester Hodges was the first settler in that area and he and his family were prominent for many years.
The Walker Tavern, on what is now Vergennes Street, was a stage coach stop, community center and town hall. Joel Walker, the son of Elias Walker was super-visor of Vergennes Township for many years. On Bur-
roughs Street was a settlement centering around the Burrough's Flour Mill. This Burroughs had a son, who later became the founder of the Burroughs Machine Co.
Next to this area, was a group providing a commu-nity which established a Methodist society and church. The church, which is stiU standing, strong and vig-orous was built on land donated by Smith Bailey, grandfather of the present church trustee chairman, Lester Bailey. The f in t church services were held in 1843 in the Anthony Yerkes house; later in the school • houses of Yerkes and Bailey.
Anthony Yerkes was the father of Silas Yerkes. a major in the Union Army, who was lost in the Civil War. Silas Yerkes was the first township resident to be appointed to a nugor state office. He was chos-en by the Governor in 1861 as a member of the first S u t e Board of Agriculture.
A post office was run for many yean in the house of Orlando J. Odell. A portion of this building is still in use as a residence on the Adelbert Odell farm and is beautifully preserved.
Names in the community such as Yerkes, Fulling-ton. Bailey, Kerr, Lyons, VanDusen, Hiler, Fairchild, Anderson, Man, McPherson, McLean, Fero, Wynn, Krum, Nash, Hoag, Dickson, Miller, Wells, and Merri-man represent a portion of the community which built the Vergennes Church. Many of these same people's descendants are still active in the church.
We would be greatly amiss if in a historical ac-count of Vergennes Township we did not mention the outstanding group of Irish immigrants who set-tled the NW 1/3 of Vergennes Township. These people cleared the land, built their houses, raised their families and scattered out to help make this country a good place in which to live.
Among these people are the Howards, Bergins, Verlins, Carys, Laughlins, Devines, Doyles, Driscals.l Downs, Byrnes, mcraahoiu, Muiphyi, GuiuUns*. Dui fys, Caseys, McDonalds, McGees, and the Lalleys.
These are the people who made Vergennes. The cemetaries have over 200 men who gave their lives that this country might live. Others such as Me B. McPherson literally gave their lives that there State might be strong.
Mr. McPherson was Supervisor, ~ Cliairman, SUie PLuailiig Comraission Chairman, member Michigan State Board, and a candidate f governor in 1940. In passing it is necessary when ferring to this Centennial it is necessary to mention that according to Harold McKinley, head of the Kent County Road Commission in the 1920's, Mr. McPherson made possible Fallasburg Park and oth-er parks, without which there would be no centen-nial of Fallasburg Bridge.
Other Vergennes people who must be menti are Edwin D. Mueller, County Road Commissioner who continued to press for the development of F lasburg. His son, the late George Mueller, County Superintendent of Parks, deserves great credit for Fallasburg and other parks being the great units they are today.
Fred Roth, Vergennes Township Supervisor and township official for 52 yean must not be forgot-ten for his dedicated support to the park and Com-munity.
In giving proper credit in this celebration we must not forget the County Road Commissionen of the 1920's-Henry Johnson, Warren Townsend, Burt Randall, William Joyce, and Edwin Owen whose wis-dom accepted the bright dreams of a park system presented by Unas Palmer, dedicated Park Superin-tendent for many yean.
This is a resume of the Vergennes Area, its growth and its people. We apologize to those we have un-wittingly omitted and are delighted we have been able to contribute to this report of old Vergennes.
Also credit must be given to Norton L Avery who for many yean has presented Fallasburg and its beau-ties to the Mid-west through his photographic abil-ities, and to Leonora Tower who as President of the West Central Michigan Historical Society, has bn ught this Centennial Celebration into being.
Special acknowledgement is here by made to Direc-tor Jan Johnson who made this publication possible.
Don MdPbnon
I
I Extra Co^iM of this Cantannial isMM ara being sold at Tha Ledger Offica - Why not pick one up and mail it t o your friends
SPECIAL DURING CENTENNIAL WEEK
LEDGER-SUBURBAN LIFE SUBSCRIPTIONS
Rag- S4.00/year, Now SlSO/yaar
Congratulation on tha Cantannial Caiabration Huold F . Jefferiet, Pablither
Carol Lawieace, Editor Jan Johasoa - George Routsaw, Advertising
Maggie MacNaoghton, Typesetter Brooke Johnson, Photographer
Mary Jo Wcrnet, Maria Smith, Office Staff *
