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Stories from Williamston's Past - Volume 2
$30.00
A follow up to his first Williamston history book in 2014, these are another batch of tales from years gone past. Among the stories included are the multiple tragedies of the Branch family; the cigar manufacturing era, with one brand, “Old Joe,” being named after an employee who fled a southern plantation; the creation of the Williamston All Girls Band; the history of our two long forgotten brick plants-one was the town’s major employer and what came of the land once they closed; the origins of the WHS Hornets nickname, logo, school colors and fight song; biographies of a rural physician who became a famous American bird watcher; one about our international egg dealer; another about a woman who played a key role in Warren Harding’s 1920 Presidential victory, and a brief glance into the life of iconic MSU benefactor, Forest Akers.
Ingham County Rural One-Room Schools presents information on 155 early Ingham County one-room schoolhouses in a timeline format. The chapters are organized by township according to when the township was established. An 1874 map featuring color-coded school districts begins each chapter, followed by schools listed by district number and name. Where information is available, the timeline begins with the earliest known school's location and description and includes deed and lease information as well as information on consolidation/annexation. The appendix includes teacher information by school and date, if known.
This book features many interesting and never before told stories about the people, places and events of Williamston, Michigan. Written by Mitch Lutzke, a current high school history teacher, his years of research have led to the uncovering of some long forgotten tales about this mid-Michigan community. The book’s eighteen chapters include narratives about Chief Okemos and the founding Williams family and the settler’s view of the Native Americans. Williamston’s more than a century long coal mining industry is comprehensively detailed here. The arrival of the railroad in 1871, a violent citizens liquor protest, leading to massive arrests, the gruesome Haney murder case, excerpts from a farmer’s 1895 diary, the early days of professional and amateur baseball in town, a Presidential candidate visit, the true story of the Civil War solider, whose statue graces the city hall lawn, and the life of a Williamston mayor, who becomes a national economic reform crusader, are among the topics featured in this book.
The museum has note cards for sale with photographs of historic Williamston on the front. The cards can be used long (11" x 4-1/4") or folded (5-1/2" x 4-1/4").They may be purchased online, at the museum, and from museum board members. The cost is $6 for five cards and proceeds benefit the museum.
This is the true story of a gruesome murder that occurred in Williamston in 1897. Author Rod Sadler grew up in Williamston and has spent over ten years researching the crime. He has donated copies of his book to the museum and all proceeds go to support the museum.
If you are looking for Christmas cards to send this year, consider the Christmas card created by the Williamston Depot Museum. The card features a picture of the historic National Block Building located at the four corners of Williamston. It was built in 1872, accurately restored in 2012 and currently houses Tavern 109 along with apartments and condominiums. The cards say “Happy Holidays” and “Williamston, Michigan” on the front. The inside is blank for your message and the back gives information about the National Block building plus the fact that the proceeds benefit the Williamston Depot Museum. The cards are available at the museum and from Museum board members. Cards are $10 for a pack of 10.
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