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.

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.

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.

Many of Albion’s downtown buildings are “named,” that is, were named after the owner who had them erected, or after a merchant who was in the building a long time. One such building in downtown Albion is the “Fox” building at 114 S. Superior St., known in later years as Reichow’s Tavern, or Dave’s Stag Bar before it was purchased by the Cascarelli Tavern next door.

The 1950s was a time like no other in Albion’s history. Our post-World War II boom years were filled with prosperity, growth, and development. Hundreds of persons came to make Albion, Michigan their home during this period. Between 1950 and 1960, Albion’s official population grew from 10,406 to 12,749 persons.

We continue with our theme of “Albion, 100 Years Ago.” January 1, 1923. Clarence Wilkins, colored, about 35 years of age, janitor at the Albion Post Office, lies at the city hospital with a bullet in his right lung as the result of a shooting affray at the drug store of David Ingram, 702 N. Albion St., about 11 o’clock last night.

A very Merry Christmas to all my readers of this column! Thank you so much for your support and providing me historical Albion items, documents and materials over the past year. This helps me keep this column interesting.

I don’t collect stamps, and I am not a philatelist. No, that’s not the name of a church, but rather it’s the scientific name for a stamp collector. Lest you be confused, a coin collector is called a numismatist.

This week we are featuring one of Albion’s early 20th century druggists, Bruce Kinmont (1857-1924). Bruce came to Albion in 1892 from Tekonsha where he had been operating his own drug business.

We continue with our theme of “Albion, 100 Years Ago.” December 4, 1922: “Mike Magnotta recently opened up an attractively appointed market and grocery on W. Porter St. and is working up a nice trade.

A happy Thanksgiving to my readers of this column. Be sure and take advantage of all of the wonderful holiday programs being offered in our various towns to celebrate the Christmas season in the next few weeks.

Albion has had several newspapers during its existence. This week we’re featuring the The Albion Leader. This newspaper was founded in 1898 by William J. Gleason (formerly with the Albion Recorder), and was located at 105 W. Porter St. This weekly Saturday morning paper was in competition at the time with the Albion Mirror, the Albion Recorder, and the Albion Transcript. A yearly subscription cost one dollar.

As we observe Veteran’s Day later this week, we are reminded of our World War II veterans who are nearly all gone now. My father, Frank Passic, Sr. (1919-1974) served as a Sergeant in the 524th Military Police Battalion, Company B during the War. The 524th was initially stationed in San Francisco and the West Coast in the early years of the War.

The New Year holiday has its inherent dangers, such as drunk drivers on the road, or snow and ice storms and electrical failures. One particular New Year brought forth tragedies, as there were several persons killed in various auto accidents in nearby Jackson County during the New Year weekend of 1965.

We continue with our theme of “Albion, 100 Years Ago.” November 2, 1922. “Born today to Mr. and Mrs. John Shimkus, Sheridan Township, a son.” “The front of the building owned by Harvey Sweet on S. Superior St. occupied on the ground floor by the Sugar Bowl confectionery, is being repainted.”