

SAUGATUCK-DOUGLAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
| BOX 617 | DOUGLAS, MI 49406 | 269-857-5751 |
www.sdhistoricalsociety.org
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DECEMBER 2014 |
Click
HERE
for printer friendly version
with images |
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Again this year, the Society
Newsletters are being underwritten by a generous donation from
Frances Vorys, a Society Life member.
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Collecting and documenting photos is just one
of the BIG ways the Society preserves our history for future
generations. Did you get our end of year appeal letter in the mail?
Your donation makes a BIG difference to our small organization.
Please think of the SDHS in your year-end giving. Click
HERE to
download and print a donation form. Have a wonderful
Holiday Season and thank you from the Board of the SDHS.
A story from Sally Winthers as a
result of a post card included with this year's campaign mailing.
After receiving the end of year appeal letter,
Paula Schultz recognized her husband, Howard Schultz, sitting
front and center with his classmates on the Douglas Union
School/Old School House postcard. |
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The Post Card

Teacher, Miss Hinges (?) Back row (left to right):
Joann Norman, Jean Norman, unknown child 1, Wally Forrester, Ivan
Orr (?), Jimmy Bruce, Jane Norman, unknown child 2 Middle row:
unknown child 3, Ruthann Troutman, Helen Mueller, unknown child 4,
Earl Herring, Patsy Engle, Francis Oliver, Margaret VanSycle,
unknown child 5, Kay Schreckengust, Judy Renkema, unknown child 6,
Mary Ash Front row: Bobby Engle, Ricky Grubbs, Dean Dornan,
Glenn Gooding, Harry Forrester, Bruce Troutman, Howard Schultz,
George Goshorn, Lloyd Bolles, unknown child 7, Ralph Troutman, John
Mueller, Donny Adair, unknown child 8
Click on the post card for a higher resolution
image
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Let the good times roll
at the
Mardi Gras Pre-Parade Party
Tuesday, February 17,
2015 at 5:30pm
Join hosts Arthur
Ashley and Darin Reiling for an evening of food and fun to
warm up before the Douglas Mardi Gras parade.
The menu, direct from New Orleans,
will be prepared by Stacy Honson.
Don't miss Dick Bont's "world-famous" pralines.
Tickets $50 per person.
Only 30 tickets will be sold.
To reserve your place
call 269-857-5751 or email
info@sdhistoricalsociety.org
All proceeds from this
Dine Around event benefit the SDHS.

Welcome from Jack Sheridan and Chris Yoder, leaders
of the Society Family History Group.
Please visit us to see what we are all about and
most importantly, share "lessons learned" about the many tools
available for family history research.
Last week I read a very interesting article in the
latest American Ancestors magazine which is a
quarterly publication of the New England Historic Genealogical
Society. The story was very interesting and well researched
genealogically. It was about an attack on the little village of
Lancaster, Massachusetts during King Philips War in 1676.
King Philip was an Indian Chieftain in
Massachusetts. The war was a terrible thing and lasted for some
two years - thousands of lives were lost. A number of the
inhabitants of Lancaster were related to my ancestors, thereby to
me and amazingly to a number of close friends of mine. So of
course that made the story doubly interesting.
It reinforced my understanding of how the USA can
be a very small place from a genealogical standpoint. Doing a
little research,
I
lifted this bit from Wikipedia which summarizes and partially
explains the "small world" phenomena:
"The New England States were initially colonized
by about 30,000 settlers between 1620 and 1640, a period now
referred to as "The Great Migration". There was little additional
immigration until the Irish influx of the 1840s and '50s in the
wake of the potato famine.
The regional economy grew rapidly in the 17th
century, thanks to heavy immigration, high birth rates, low death
rates, and an abundance of inexpensive farmland.[16] The
population grew from 3000 in 1630 to 14,000 in 1640, 33,000 in
1660, 68,000 in 1680, and 91,000 in 1700. Between 1630 and 1643,
about 20,000 Puritans arrived, settling mostly near Boston; after
1643 fewer than fifty immigrants a year arrived.
The average size of a completed family 1660-1700
was 7.1 children; the birth rate was 49 babies per year per 1000
people, and the death rate was about 22 deaths per year per
thousand people. About 27 percent of the population comprised men
between 16 and 60 years old.[17] The almost one million
inhabitants in 1770, just before the Revolution were nearly all
descended from the original settlers, whose 3 percent annual
natural growth rate caused a doubling of population every 25
years. Their beliefs and ancestry were nearly all shared and made
them into what was probably the largest more-or-less homogeneous
group of settlers in America. Their high birth rate continued for
at least a century more, making the descendants of these New
Englanders well represented in nearly all states today."
So understand if you trace a branch[s] of your
family tree back to early New England you may well be surprised to
discover interesting folks and tales!
Got questions on how to get going? That is what we
are for! Call or email us and remember, the SDHS family history
groups regular meeting schedule is the first and third Thursday
of every month at the OSH.
Upcoming meetings are:
Thursday, December 18
Thursday, January 8
Thursday, January 22
Remember, your family history does not have to have
any connection to the Saugatuck-Douglas area !!!
Still not sure how to get going? Let us provide a
helpful jump start by recording what you know about your parents,
grandparents, and great grandparents and send it along for a
review by Chris Yoder or myself. The snail mail address is SDHS
Family History Box 617 Douglas, Michigan 49406, or email a copy to
either cyoder@tds.net
or jack.sheridan@gmail.com.
We will soon be back to you with readily found data
and with suggestions on the next steps to take. Further help is
readily available from the Family History group. Again, the only
requirement is membership in the SDHS.
Mayflower ancestor, Revolutionary War vet, great
grandparents? Still wondering? Questions/ comments/advice/needs -
contact jack.sheridan@gmail.com
269 857-7144 Chris Yoder
cyoder@tds.net 269 857-4327.
This newsletter column is produced by Jack
Sheridan

The Baldhead
Panoramas One by One - Year by Year
Three months ago I
started a new HBC series of panoramic photographs taken from
the top of Mt Baldhead. We are very fortunate to have photos
from this great vantage point over a long time period. The
Baldhead photos in the series span some fifty years, are
accurately dated, and in most cases the photographer
identified.
Other factors make them
special. First, when the first photo was made in 1874 most of
the trees in town had been logged off and there were few to
block the view. Second, the photographers used quality cameras
with large glass plate negatives that were capable of
capturing details. Though most of the glass plates are lost,
the prints made from them, faithfully contain the details.
When scanned at high resolution, the images yield marvelous
results.
So far, in order for you
to see a historical progression, I have selected a partial
view of the town in 1874 and contrasted that with a view of
the same area in 1895.
This month we have the
complete 1895 photo which is contrasted here with a complete
1906 photo. I do not know the photographer's identity. It
probably was Miller Robinson but could have been an early
Herman Simonson work. Next month we will zero in on partial
area comparisons of these two panoramic views. Enjoy!
This newsletter column is written by Jack Sheridan.

Click on the picture for a
higher resolution copy.
Be patient, it will take a while to download.
Antique Mall Booth News!

Our booth at
the Saugatuck Antique Pavilion is filled with wonderful and
unusual items ready for your Christmas Shopping! The booth carries
all the books published by the Historical Society, as well as
posters, postcards, maps, mugs and other society items. Great
gifts for your Saugatuck friends! A big thank you goes to all
those who recently donated their surplus items to fill our new
larger space! Come check us out! We are dealer #233 in the green
room. If anyone is interested in volunteering four hours for the
cause please contact us at
archives@sdhistoricalsociety.org
submitted by Mary Voss & Ken
Kutzel
News from the
Archives
Recent Additions to the
Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society Collection
It's been a
busy month at the archives! A number of very important items have
been added to our collection.
A scrap book
of 8x10 photographs of people associated with the Douglas
Community Hospital donated by Tara Durham
A number of Saugatuck High School basketball and commencement
programs; Saugatuck postcards; An entire set of "The Dope" a
newsletter that was sent out to the boys from Douglas who were in
the service during WWII 1942-1945, and other items donated by
Howard Schultz
An eight page brochure advertising the Saugatuck Music
Festival 1961, promotional items from Douglas and a 1959
map of the Eastern United States listing hotels, including the
Hotel Saugatuck (now Coral Gables.) Donated by Ken Kutzel.
A promotional booklet, "Two Days," a fictitious account
of an idyllic two day visit to Saugatuck. Published in 1901 by the
Commercial Record. Donated by Barbara Paulger.
Two Needle books given out as promotional items by the
Big Pavilion and the Fruit Growers Bank 1920s. Donated by Ruth
Brower.
An
Interesting Development!
Late this fall we were contacted by a gentleman who had just
purchased a home in Riverside, CA and was told that it had been
designed by Carl Hoerman. He inquired if we had any information
for him. After a brief search in our archives (our intern had
worked on cataloging that project over the summer) we found the
original blue prints and drawings of that house built in 1927.
In the
following months he completely renovated the house back to the
original as much as possible. Now he wants to add the studio
addition which was included in an updated drawing in 1934 but
never built.
We will be
supplying him and his architect with copies of those drawings. He
promises to tell us the complete story including before and after
photographs for our newsletter. Was this the house that Carl
Hoerman lived in himself? Stay tuned!
submitted by Mary Voss
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Garden Happenings
"A friend is a gift you give yourself."
--- Robert Louis Stevenson
'Tis the season to give and give thanks. We, the
Landscape and Root Camp Committees, would like to give thanks
to all of you who give to us all year long. Whether it is
financially, as a volunteer, a giver of ideas, sharing your
knowledge as a guest speaker or simply believing in our vision for
our garden and our camp . . we truly appreciate you.

A HUGE thanks to Janie Flemming and Intern Mia
Mahaney for preparing a successful grant application to The Mignon
Sherwood DeLano Foundation resulting in a $3,000 award for the 2015
Root Camp. We are in for an exciting 2015!
Happy Holidays to all of you!
Until next month,
The Landscape and Root Camp Committees

The 2015 Membership Renewal campaign will begin in
early February and conclude in early April. You may notice a slight
increase in member dues.
It has been several years since we have increased the
rates. We continue to add educational programs, research
efforts, create exhibits at the History Museum and the History
Center at the Old School House, and our full social agenda.
Thank you for your participation in this great
organization. Please renew and encourage your friends to become
members in 2015. Click
HERE
for a Society Membership Application
Thank you and Happy Holidays, Ed Kelly
Welcome New Members
We would like to welcome the following new members who have joined the
Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society since the last newsletter.
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Jeff & Anne Mathieu, Fennville, MI
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James & Annette Pitcher, Fennville, MI
More Bulb Planters
In the November
newsletter we pictured three of the hearty workers who planted
several hundred daffodil bulbs at the graves of local "orphans" at
Riverside and Douglas Cemeteries. Here is the other half of that
crew.

Brent Tubergen, Jackie Ladwein, and Jamie Schuler
Schultz Park

Howard C. Schultz was born in Douglas in 1904. He
completed his early schooling in Chicago where his father Charles
Schultz was a street car conductor. After graduation from commercial
high school, he returned to Douglas. He worked for the Michigan
state Highway Department and was elected to the Douglas Village
Clerk position in 1930. When the State Highway Department Douglas
garage was discontinued, he became Douglas Street and water
commissioner for a few years during the 1940's. He also was clerk,
councilman, member of the Douglas school board and chamber of
commerce at various times. He was also a life member of the Douglas
Dutcher Masonic Lodge #93 and past master 3 times.
When the Allegan County Road Commission garage was
established in Douglas in the early 1950s he became supervisor and
retired in 1967 after 25 years with the Highway Department. When the
I-196 freeway was established in 1960, the village of Douglas was
left with the triangular piece of land that is now Schultz Park.
Howard Schultz, as village clerk, was instrumental in obtaining
Michigan and U.S. Government funding to develop water front property
for recreational purposes. It was originally dedicated as a boat
launching facility on the Kalamazoo River in the late 1960's and
with additional incremental funding has become the multi-functional
park that it is today. It was dedicated as the Howard C. Schultz
Boat Launch and Park in 1972 by the Douglas village Council after
his death.
From the Commercial Record
Boat Ramp Named for Howard Schultz
A boat ramp to be built in Douglas will be named
the Howard C. Schultz Boat Launching Facility. The Village Council
Monday agreed to name the ramp for Mr. Schultz, who served as the
village clerk and councilman for more than 35 years. He died July
29.1972. A resolution in memory of his service was presented by
Councilman Wally Forrester and one to name the launching ramp for
him by Councilman Bruce Troutman. Both were passed and copies will
be sent to Mrs. Schultz. The launching ramp will be built just west
of the Interstate 196 bridge on the Kalamazoo River.

submitted by Howard E. Schultz
THE SCHULTZ FAMILY: Howard C. Schultz's great
grandfather was the first of the family to come to this area. Fritz
(Frank) Schultz was born 2/20/1817 in Tyffendorf, Mecklenberg,
Germany and married Sophia Gustuff. In Germany he had been a
coachman for a Baron and would still wear a top hat and gloves after
coming to America in 1852. They settled first in Chicago, but in
1855 they came to Saugatuck. Fritz then purchased forty acres of
land, formerly owned by Jonathan Wade, adjoining what is now
Douglas. Fritz died in 1877.
Howard's grandfather Christopher (born 1841 in
Germany) became a well-to-do farmer of fruit and grain in Saugatuck
township. He came into possession of the family farm in 1887 upon
the death of his mother, and owned additional property within the
township. Christopher married Miss Emma Albright, and had seven
children. Mr. Schultz held the office of road commissioner and was a
member of the school board . Mr. Schultz died Nov. 25, 1923,
followed by Mrs. Schultz, June 28, 1924.
Howard's father Charles, born Nov. 12, 1875, farmed
locally in the Douglas area. He married Clara Emma Metzger and died
in 1952. Charles was a member of the Dutcher Masonic Lodge, as his
son Howard would be.
All of the family rests in the Douglas cemetery.
contributed by Chris Yoder
Gwendolyn
Crawford
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Gwendolyn Crawford, a
former member of the Society, passed away recently.
Click
HERE for more details. |
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Hudson Farm
A Picture from Lora
Treadwell, Camarillo, CA, of the Hudson Farm family (a Ganges Twp
Centennial farm.)

Kenny and Neva Hudson in the front yard under the
sweet apple tree

A swing in the farmhouse yard. (circa 1900)

The Babette Bloch sculpture which resides on the farm
today.
submitted by Chris Yoder |