Jackson Michigan News and Information, News for Jackson MI

: Frank Passic; Albion Historical Notebook; 14 April 2023; Hits: 310

CONCRETE SIDEWALK STREET NAMES

In recent years we’ve seen corner sidewalks and curbing in town upgraded with modern handicapped-accessible ramps. In the process of upgrading, the sidewalk “square” let’s call it, where the walks on two streets intersect, were removed and replaced.

: Frank Passic; Albion Historical Notebook; 07 April 2023; Hits: 247

ARZA L. McCUTCHEON

Remember when we had a Justice of the Peace? That was a civil officer who had the power to handle minor criminal and/or legal cases in town, and had the power to officiate at weddings without being an ordained minister.

: Frank Passic; Albion Historical Notebook; 31 March 2023; Hits: 247

ALBION 100 YEARS AGO—APRIL 1923

We continued with our theme of: “Albion, 100 Years Ago,” with a reminder that any date given is the date the article appeared in the newspaper, not necessarily the day the event happened.

: Frank Passic; Albion Historical Notebook; 24 March 2023; Hits: 303

JOHN WOCHHOLZ BEVERAGE BOTTLE AND TOKEN

Occasionally in this column I like to feature an Albion collectible item, such as an old Albion milk bottle, an Albion merchant token, or an Albion banknote or scrip.

: Frank Passic; Albion Historical Notebook; 17 March 2023; Hits: 256

HENRY A. PERINE

It was on Thursday, March 5, 1868 that the body of the “Albion Hermit,” David Duncan, was found frozen to death in his abode on his 80-acres of land just southwest of Albion.

: Frank Passic; Albion Historical Notebook; 11 March 2023; Hits: 273

ALBION 100 YEARS AGO—MARCH 1923

We continue with our theme of “Albion—100 Years Ago.” March 3, 1923. “Deputy Sheriff George U. McCarty and Chief of Police Clyde Stoddard pulled off a successful liquor raid early this afternoon at the home of Kosie Kowack, at the corner of Charles and Williams Sts.

: Frank Passic; Albion Historical Notebook; 26 February 2023; Hits: 354

THE FLOOD OF MARCH, 1956

Normally for upcoming March in this column I’d feature an article and photo about the Great Flood of March, 1908. We’ve all seen the numerous postcard photos of the horrific damage done to downtown Albion when all the buildings over the Kalamazoo River collapsed into the raging waters below.

: Frank Passic; Albion Historical Notebook; 19 February 2023; Hits: 438

ALBION UNION HOSE COMPANY

Albion’s Fire Department operations date back to 1856, when the “Alert Fire Engine No. 1” was organized.

: Frank Passic; Albion Historical Notebook; 10 February 2023; Hits: 324

WATER WORKS BUILDING

At 119 E. Cass St. sits an old brick building that sits a way back from the street, which once had a prominent significance in our community. This is the Albion Water Works building, erected around 1889 to provide water to our community

: Frank Passic; Albion Historical Notebook; 03 February 2023; Hits: 301

A FIREMAN’S DIARY

Sometimes diaries can be great historical resources when researching a topic. I use the word “sometimes” because I know of a set of diaries from the 1850s for our area in which the writer only wrote down the weather conditions day-by-day.

: Frank Passic; Albion Historical Notebook; 29 January 2023; Hits: 297

ALBION 100 YEARS AGO—FEBRUARY 1923

We continue with our theme of, “Albion 100 Years Ago.” February 1, 1923: “The mine operated by the People’s Coal Mining Company located three miles north of the city entertained lady visitors last Saturday for the first time in its history.

: Frank Passic; Albion Historical Notebook; 20 January 2023; Hits: 343

MISS PHIPPS

On the campus of Albion College is a stately old home known as the Fiske House at 703 E. Cass St. It was built as the home of Lewis Ransom Fiske, who was president of the College from 1877 to 1897. Fiske’s second wife purchased the site from the College in 1883 for the erection of their home.