10-01-2020 Tri-City Area History Page

A Tom Thumb Wedding pageant inspired by the 1863 wedding of General Tom Thumb (Charles Sherwood Stratton) and Lavinia Warren. Are you one of the students in this play? Perhaps you were in another school play. Contact North Berrien Historical Museum at 269-468-3330, info@northberrienhistory.org. North Berrien Historical Museum is open for private tours, Tuesday through Friday 10-4. From the photo collection at the North Berrien Historical Museum 300 Coloma Avenue, Coloma

Reminiscing with Pearl Playford

Thursday, August 6, 1959 Paw Paw Lake, largest and one of the most beautiful inland lakes of Berrien County, has a history that goes back to the early days when all the surrounding country was practically a wilderness. “In those early days Paw Paw Lake was a favorite spot of the Indians. The dusky redskins roamed the shores, fished from quiet, cool, deep waters, hunted deer in the woods near its banks and sought game of all kinds near its shores,” so reads an early account. Paw Paw Lake covers about 1,200 acres, is about 3-1/2 miles in length, 1-1/2 miles across at its widest point and a half mile at its narrowest point. It has a shoreline of 10 miles. It had its beginning as a summer resort more than 70 years ago and how many thousands of vacationists have since enjoyed its beauty and attractions no one knows, but probably no other spot in Berrien County is so well known to vacationing millions of Chicago than our own Paw Paw Lake. By the late 1890s and early 1900s Paw Paw Lake, during the summer months, was a mecca for thousands upon thousands of Chicago vacationists. They came by boat to St. Joe, then by train to Watervliet and thence by bus to the lake. An interurban made regular trips between Benton Harbor and Watervliet and it, too, brought crowds to the resort. So great were the crowds that the Pere Marquette (now the C & O) ran extra trains to accommodate the crowds. Many of the city people owned summer homes at the various resorts and spent the season here, while others only came for weekends and stayed in hotels and boarding houses, of which there were several. L.P. Husen, Hartford jeweler, is credited with building the first cottage at the lake. It was located at the east end of the lake, known as Smith’s Landing, but now named Fairview Beach. It was Husen who really started the resort and it was in 1887. Shortly after Mr. Husen built his cottage, other Hartford businessmen recognized the beauty and charm of the lake and they too, built cottages. Then two families from Chicago, named Benn and Ball, followed with summer homes and then Benton Harborites began invading the lake. In 1895, Mr. Husen saw further possibilities of Paw Paw Lake as a resort and purchased a piece of land on the south side of the lake from Mrs. J. Brooks, and Beechwood Point had its beginnings. It was the first addition to be platted into lots and it grew rapidly with many of the finer homes being built there. Mr. Husen, himself, owned a cottage there and lived there until his death. Mr. Husen also is remembered as having built the first dancing pavilion at the lake, which he operated for ten years, then sold it to Michael Zimay. It burned shortly after that and a pavilion was built on a high hill a short distance from the lake by Charles Cushing of Chicago. It was since converted into the Country Club. The land where Forest Beach is located was first owned by William Abernethy, who sold it to Ira Allen, who developed it into one of the leading landings at the lake. A pavilion and skating rink were built by Frank Ollinger, who operated it until it was destroyed by fire. Edgewater Beach, between Beechwood Point and Forest Beach, was purchased, platted and developed by Captain Lyman Fletus, who also owned two of the early day boats. The boats carrying passengers were called steamers, and the Margaret, Elite, Gypsy and Forest Beach were the most popular. The largest was the Margaret, owned by Mr. Fletus. There were also two large riverboats used for transportation on the river, which had been dredged and cleaned out; a depot was in the back of Hutchins drug store. The first automobile to carry passengers at the lake is believed to have been owned by E.E. Evans, who owned a summer home at Smith’s Landing, and the late Byron L. Peirce, of Watervliet. The first autobus was a six-wheel vehicle with five seats and owned by Evans. With the advent of the automobile and with paved highways leading in all directions, the Paw Paw Lake resort is not the same as it was 50 or 60 years ago. Many city folks do, however, own summer homes there and some have become permanent residents. But despite changing conditions in living conditions, Paw Paw Lake will never change, but will always remain one of the section’s beauty spots.

Coloma Library News Register to vote online Do you need to register to vote online? If you aren’t sure how, your friendly Coloma Library staff can help. Get “Counted” Help support the Coloma Public Library by completing the Census today! While supplies last, families that go to the library to complete the 2020 Census can choose a gift card or stuffed backpack. For anyone that has already done their civic duty, there is something for them too! Simply stop by the Library and put your name in a drawing. All offers are while supplies last. Free online tutoring Tutor.com provides online tutoring, homework help, and test preparation for kindergarten through 12th grade, plus early college students, and adult learners. Any Coloma Public Library card holder can connect with an expert tutor in a safe and secure online classroom. Job searching and resume help The library can help anyone looking for a job. They offer access to one-on-one job tutors who can help with resume advice, job searching, interview tips and more. Little Free Carts The Little Free Carts are still outside for patrons who want to browse and select materials without going into the building. On rainy days, the carts are in the lobby which remains open. Staff can be reached at readcoloma@gmail.com, 269-468-3431, or a message through Facebook.

Watervliet Library News Hope Thomas, singer, songwriter and guitarist, will perform a virtual concert of eclectic folk & jazz tunes, Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. Hopie Jo’s performance can be accessed through the library’s Facebook page. The library will begin rolling out a new schedule of take-and-make treasures, beginning the first week of October. The Packet Projects are free weekly craft kits available for pick-up in the library or curbside, each week of the month designed for a specific age group. Toddler kits will be available the first week of each month; kits for elementary aged kids will be made available the second week; third week kits are designed for teens; and the last week will feature Pinteresting, Crafts for Adults. Supplies are limited; sign-up is recommended. Contact the library at 269-463-6382, info@wdlib.org or by Facebook message. “Story Time in a Bag” kits are now ready to check out for your own at-home story hour. Each kit contains a story book and characters, puppets or plush toys. Crafts can be included, upon request. Book Bundles, (non-fiction books, free worksheets and fun science experiments), are also ready for check-out. Subjects available are: space, the human body, sharks, bees, weather, flying machines, owls, and dinosaurs. The library is also pleased to now have two mobile hot-spots to share. The hot-spots offer home WiFi; perfect for use by in-home students or adults working from home. At this time each hot-spot checks out for one week. Contact the library for more details about this or any other programs offered.

NEWS FROM THE COLOMA COURIER

100 years ago – 1920 The Courier has a rule not to publish amateur poetry. However, Miss Paul’s sixth graders wrote a poem about the Hartford Fair. As an encouragement to these pupils, we have published this poem. “Hurrah! Hurrah! The Hartford Fair! …” Who will be our next president? Harding? Cox? A ballot box for women and one for men is available at Scott’s Drug Store. Have logs in your yard and want them sawed? See Wm. N. Vanderveer, Manager, Thayer & Co. 60 years ago – 1960 Miss Sandra Yirchott will enter the I.B.M. school in Minneapolis. She will learn the operation of I.B.M. machines. A hearing will be held in the Riverside township hall concerning the proposed location of Interstate Route 96. Engineering and location data will be discussed. The Coloma American Legion presented the high school with a new flagpole and American flag. This ceremony took place before the Coloma and Decatur football game. Funeral services were held for Albert Becht route 4, Coloma. He is survived by three daughters and three sons. 30 years ago – 1990 The Berrien County Sheriff’s Posse, Glad-Peach Committee and the Lions Club worked together towards the benefit dinner and dance for Doug Heminger. Doug was severely injured in a fireworks accident at the Glad-Peach Festival. The Township Board gave the go-ahead for the paving of an unimproved portion of Clymer Road. A petition from the residents in the area prompted this action. The National Honor Society Quilt Show will be held in the high school auditorium. Mrs. Smith and her 4th grade class will present their CUE Closure program. Hilltop Foods – Meet Our New Manager Special – Enter to win our free drawing. Welcome Manager Tony Marko Submitted by volunteer Sandi Musick Munchow at Coloma Public Library from the Coloma Courier newspapers donated by the Tri-City Record. Special Access Services are Mon-Fri 12-6 by appointment; Curbside Service only, Sat 10-2. Phone: 269-468-3431

NEWS FROM THE HARTFORD DAY SPRING

100 years ago – 1920 O.M. Smith and John Bell have purchased the Tom Clancy farm northeast of the village and will build a barn and otherwise improve the property. They already sold the timber to be cut during the coming winter. Concrete is being laid to fill the gap in the new cement road on east Main Street, and within a few days more of cement supplies and good weather the contractors will have the road completed a mile east of town. 75 years ago – 1945 Fifty-seven prizes were awarded Saturday to boys and girls exhibiting in the annual county 4-H club fair at the Hartford fair grounds. Games, contests and project judging occupied the afternoon of the one-day event and demonstrations highlighted the afternoon program. A 35-piece band has been organized at Hartford High School this year and will make its first public appearance at the annual PTA Halloween party. The Hartford Cream Station has been sold by Anthony Miller Jr. to Hugh Munro. It is the seventh local business to change hands this year. Munro said that the only policy change he contemplates is to limit cream buying Wednesdays and Saturdays, a practice followed by many cream stations. He will continue to deal in eggs and poultry. Miller started the station 12 years ago in the building on the south side of west Main Street now used by Knight’s Variety store for storage. When the building was sold, the station was moved to its present location on the north side of the street. Mrs. Donald Disbrow was appointed Tuesday to serve as the Hartford representative on the army camp and hospital council of the Van Buren County Red Cross. Mrs. Ed Wilson, who served as Hartford sewing chairman several years ago, was named to serve in that position again. 50 years ago – 1970 Fire of undetermined cause virtually destroyed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Meachum late Saturday night, leaving the couple and their three children with little more than the clothes they were wearing. The family was not home when the fire broke out. Flames were through the roof when Hartford firefighters arrived. The fire apparently started in the kitchen. Firefighters were on the scene for over two hours. Submitted by Librarian Stephanie Daniels at Hartford Public Library from microfilm copies of the Hartford Day Spring. Now open at 12 Church St. Hours: Mon 10am-6pm; Tue-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 10am-2pm. Ph.: 269-621-3408

NEWS FROM THE WATERVLIET RECORD

90 years ago – 1930 Seven Watervliet High School students have won the honor of being among the 400 students selected from the high schools in the United States to sing in the National Chorus at Detroit. Those singing are Burr Carmody, Dorothy Warman, Elizabeth Ostrander, Edgar Coon, Warner Ray, Clement Doolittle and Lauren Hoffman. The Watervliet Public School Debate Team has entered the Berrien County Debate League. In connection with speech work, they intend to have an oration, extemporaneous and a declamation contest at the high school. Kalamazoo College held its Honors Day Program. From Watervliet, Eugene C. McKean won High Honors for 1929-30. He is a member of the Century Forum Society. 60 years ago – 1960 For the first time in several years, in Watervliet, a girl’s baseball team was organized. Merlin Harper, manager of the Orioles Little League Team, was approached by his daughter, Larita, to undertake a girl’s team also. The girls known as the QTs, got in some practice sessions with Harper’s little league team and hope to get in a full season for 1961. Kendall Bachman and Jerry Winch, Troop 61, received the coveted God and Country Award during the Morning Worship at the First Methodist Church on Sept. 25, 1960. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Day, Forest Beach Road, observed their 13th Wedding Anniversary on Oct. 4, 1960. 30 years ago – 1990 Principal Kenneth Bannen of Watervliet High School announced that Doug Chandler and Ben Chabot have been named Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program. The faculty of Watervliet Jr. High School is extremely happy to announce eighth grader Serena Sloan as “Student of the Week” for Oct. 10, 1990. Serena is consistently an Honor Roll student, earning straight A’s as a 7th grader. Her favorite sport is swimming and has assisted in teaching swimming to younger students during the summer. Grant Harper, owner of Creekside Furniture and employee, Danny Bahr, created the sign to advertise the coming of Artrain to Watervliet. Materials for the sign were donated by Judd Lumber. Submitted by Sally Q. Gonzalez from files at Watervliet District Library of the Watervliet Record newspapers donated by the Tri-City Record. Access hours by appt: Mon-Sat 10-2, Wed 4-7 and Curbside service: Mon–Fri 10–2, Wed 4–8 and Sat 12–2 Phone: 269-463-6382