History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II, Part 29

Author: Mills, James Cooke
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Saginaw, Mich., Seemann & Peters
Number of Pages: 838

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F ROM the day that Jesse Hoyt crossed the river, and in a woody marsh located the site for a new city, which he intended should soon rise, a spirit of opposition to the enterprise possessed the leading men of Saginaw City. He had come to this place with an idea of investing heavily in desirable property, of making many public improvements to attract immigration to the valley, and, of course, to profit thereby. Backed by the ample capital of the Hoyts, he was in a position to erect substantial buildings, promote great industries, expand the natural resources of the valley on a huge scale, and build up an enterprising and prosperous city. He was exactly the type of man the land-poor, slow-going inhabitants of the village, to the number of five hundred and thirty-six, needed to put them on their feet. Yet, when he with ready money endeavored to buy property on an equitable basis - at a price attractive to capital - so unreasonable were these narrow-minded men in their demands that the great opportunity slipped through their fingers. So exorbitant and headstrong were they that Mr. Hoyt, unable to make any progress in his negotiations, gave up in dis- gust ; and it seems was actually driven from the place.

This unfortunate occurrence was a monumental blunder - one of a long series of blunders which illustrate the fully of some "west siders;" and the effects have been far reaching. It blasted all hopes of making a city which should be the metropolis of Saginaw Valley, and left the village in the hands of irrational men. It resulted in the founding and building up of another city on a low, undesirable site, and in dwarfing the efforts of a few enterprising men of the older village to promote the best interests of the community.

From every sense of the fitness of things and the economics of creating commercial centers and pleasant and healthy places of abode, East Saginaw never should have been begun. There never was a practical or logical excuse for its existence. The level plateau arising from the west bank of the river from a short distance north of Green Point to the Penoyer Farm, and extending west to the Tittabawassee River, offered the one feasible site for the exercise of Mr. Hoyt's enterprise. In the early days of settlement, when the Government established old Fort Saginaw, this place was recognized as the ideal location for permanent residence in the wilderness, and it is now, as it was then, the best site for miles around for a great city. But instead of building here on the foundation already laid, a new settlement was dumped into a marsh. Capital, brains, enterprise and an idomitable spirit to do things were the elements which soon produced a thriving village and later a prosperous city.

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY

But worst of all, the spirit of opposition and intolerance, kept aflame by commercial rivalry and bicker, engendered in the minds of the west siders a keen hatred of all persons in any way identified with the remarkable pro- gress of East Saginaw. This feeling found expression in numerous ways, a favorite occupation of some of the "old fellows," who loafed in the office of P. C. Andre, or the store of George W. Bullock. being to denounce in brilliant and expressive language the activities of the hustling residents of "east town." and to curse in staccato tone the enterprise of Norman Little and his associates. That such enmity should have existed was incompre- hensible to the inhabitants of the more prosperous city, and they generally treated it with mild contempt or indifference. As strange as it may seem, this feeling of petty jealousy has come down through two generations of men and women, even to the present : but is met with a smile and an expres- sion of incredulity whenever manifested.

East Saginaw Starts Public Improvements

Along in the eighteen-eighties, about the time that the lumber industry was at its height, East Saginaw began a broad scheme of public improve- ments. For twenty years previous the city had been busy with its sewage and water systems, in opening up and grading new streets, laying sidewalks. and providing for fire and police protection. Having arranged all these matters satisfactorily, it was thought incumbent on the council to plan and order street paving on a moderate scale. Definite action was taken and in due time a new cedar block pavement was laid in Genesee Street, to replace the old Nicholson pavement, extending from the river to Williams (Janes) Street. Soon after Washington Street, north and south from Genesee, and several side streets in the business section, were improved with the same material. These improvements added greatly to the prestige of the city as the metropolis of the valley, and excited the envy of the backward city on the other side of the river.

It is related that at this juncture in the affairs of the two cities, many of the more liberal minded citizens of Saginaw who owned stylish "turnouts." drove over in the summer evenings through the mud and saw dust of their streets to enjoy riding on the new pavements of their neighbors. In this pleasant pastime they noted, not without some degree of envy, the vastly improved appearance of the streets and public buildings, the new and attrac- tive residences surrounded by well kept lawns and flower beds, and the tone of prosperity that pervaded the city. The streets were brilliantly illuminated at night with electricity furnished by the new plant of the Swift Electric Light Company, which was located in a three-story brick building on Water Street near Johnson. It was one of the show places of the city, in which the people were justly proud, as it was one of the first electric plants erected in this country for public lighting purposes.

These evidences of enterprise and public spirit made a deep impression on the progressive men of Saginaw City, who had made money in the lumber and salt industries, and some conceived the idea of promoting like improve- ments in their city. They realized that progress in such matters was neces- sary if they were to grow and prosper, and could see in their minds Court Street, and Washington ( Michigan ) and Hamilton Streets, converted as if by magic from lanes of mud holes into beautiful boulevards lighted at night with brilliant electric ares. Some day they would have a connecting boule- vard with the well paved streets of "east town." a dream of municipal opulence in strange contrast with the niggardly policy that had been pur- sued in public affairs.

FROM THE ROOF OF THE "ACADEMY" LOOKING EAST, 1886

FROM THE ROOF OF THE "ACADEMY" LOOKING SOUTHWEST, 1886

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY

So these prosperous citizens, having ready money to pay their share of public improvements, went before the common council with a measure to provide for such pavements as they desired, and deemed necessary for the advancement of the city. Other prominent men, however, some of whom had exerted a large influence in shaping public matters, were strongly opposed to improvements on an elaborate scale, and only after much discus- sion was the paving of the streets in the business section, including sections of Washington Street, ordered by the council. This was one of the first moves for civic betterment in Saginaw City, and the effect was far reaching.

But the old policy of blind conservatism, encouraged by a deplorable want of public spirit, was still dominant in the conduct of public affairs, and so insistent was it that the city came very near losing the county seat, in 1883. The old court house, which had served as the abode of justice for almost fifty years, was then deemed inadequate to the needs of the county, and a project for the erection of a new edifice was presented. As usual with such measures it met with little support by a certain element among the leading citizens, and for a time little progress was made toward the desired result. At this juncture East Saginaw, with its characteristic enterprise, came forward and offered to donate a suitable site and erect a large and stately court house, to cost not less than seventy-five thousand dollars. if the seat of justice was removed to that city. This proposition stirred the people of Saginaw City to strenuous effort to retain the county seat, which, more than sixty years before, had been gained by chicanery, but of which they were not responsible. At length, by making a bid exceeding that of their neighbor across the river, they preserved to themselves the honor of having justice meted out in their midst. They erected a very imposing court house, on the site of the old, which had been donated to the county by Samuel Dexter. at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars, provided by an issue of city bonds in that sum, all of which was paid by the consolidated city.

Veto of the Electric Lighting Project

Meanwhile, the more progressive men of Saginaw City were gradually getting control of public affairs, and early in 1884 they introduced a measure in the common council for the erection and operation of an electric lighting plant, to be eventually owned by the municipality. The only public lighting then afforded was by scattered gas lamps which, though they marked a way through the streets, accentuated rather than relieved the gloom. Contrast with the brightly lighted thoroughfares of "east town" was decidedly dis- tasteful, and a latent spirit of civic pride was awakened among the people. They were almost ready to approve any public improvement which would aid them in keeping within measurable distance of their prosperous neigh- bors. The lighting project, however, failed through the action of one man - the mayor of the city.

The proposition presented to the council by the Van Depoele Electric Light Company provided for the erection of a generating plant equipped with all requisite machinery, five mast towers, one hundred and twenty-five feet in height, and one hundred pole lights distributed throughout the city. In all there were to be one hundred and thirty standard lamps completely wired and with all connections ready for use. Upon completion of the plant the company was to operate it for two weeks as a practical test, at their expense, when, the installations proving satisfactory, the city was to lease the property for a term of two years, and to pay the company within fifteen days the sum of eight thousand five hundred and twenty-three dollars. One year after the city was to make a further payment of nine thousand five hun-

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dred and forty-six dollars, and at the expiration of two years a final payment of nine thousand and thirty-four dollars, with interest at six per cent. The city, having paid twenty-seven thousand one hundred and four dollars, was then to receive from the company a clear deed to all the property.

The electric light committee of the council appointed to consider the matter was composed of D. C. Dixon, chairman, E. A. Kremer, C. F. Zoeller and Dan P. Foote, city attorney, who were among the more progressive citizens. This committee, upon thorough examination of the project and consideration of the proposition, reported unanimously in favor of it, and thereupon it was passed by the council by a vote of seven to four. Evidently the proposition was a very favorable one to the city, and it is certain would have provided a much needed improvement. But when the resolution came up to the mayor, Charles L. Benjamin, for his signature, the influences at work in opposition prevailed, for he vetoed the measure and the whole project fell through. This act of Mayor Benjamin, it was said, retarded the progress and advancement of Saginaw City for several years, the city settling back into its old time lethargic existence. Years afterward he admitted to a resident of the East Side that his veto of this measure was the greatest blunder of his official life.

Consolidation the Only Remedy

The rivalry between the two cities, often degenerating into bitter con- tests, finally reached a stage where the progressive men of both sides of the river concluded that consolidation was the only remedy for the conflict of interests. The question of consolidation had been brought before the State Legislature several times, but without success. There was a great diversity of opinion among the people as to the desirability of consolidation, and it is doubtful if a majority of the people of both sides would have voted in favor of the proposition at the time it was adopted. At length a number of lead- ing citizens of the two cities met in conference, and after prolonged con- sideration, they resolved to appeal to the Legislature to pass an act uniting the Saginaws upon certain terms and conditions. Accordingly, a bill was drawn up and introduced in the Legislature of 1889, and after due delibera- tion it was passed as Act 455, of the Local Acts of the Legislature, and approved June 28, 1889.

The consolidation of the two cities, which was thus effected, marked an important stage in the history of Saginaw, the beneficial effect of which exceeded the expectations of its projectors. On the first Monday in March, 1890, the officials and aldermen of the new city were duly elected to office ; and on the twelfth of March the first meeting of the new council was held, with George W. Weadock, mayor, in the chair. The council was composed of Aldermen Daniel J. Holst, Charles M. Harris, William Rebec, John G. MeKnight, Fred J. Buckhout, Henry Naegely, William C. Mueller, Johu Klein, John Elwert, Charles Ziem, James S. Cornwell, Joseph B. Staniford, Chris Maier, E. Everett Johnson, Michael Rellis, Joseph Provencher, Solo- mon Stone, John W. Wiggins, Joseph B. Clark, Charles Schaefer, Theodore R. Caswell, Aaron P. Bliss, James Higgins, Fred Stobbe, Emil Achard, John L. Jackson, Michael Klemm, Robert D. Stewart, James McGregor and Clark L. Ring.

Provision for a New City Hall

Among the conditions of consolidation was one fixing the location of the new City Hall, which, though near the geographical center of the city, is one mile from the business section of the East Side, and one mile and a half from the business section of the West Side. The location is convenient to

THE CITY HALL

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THE CONSOLIDATED SAGINAWS

no one, being a compromise to satisfy the demands of some west siders; and the handsome edifice which soon rose is a monument to their folly. The City Hall, a large structure of brick and stone, was erected on the site of Curtis Emerson's house, which he facetiously called the "Halls of the Monte- zumas." at a cost of one hundred and seventy thousand dollars, the site alone costing fifteen thousand one hundred and fifty dollars. The building was completed and first occupied in 1893, the city offices being removed from the Schmitz Block of the Germania Society to the new and perfectly appointed quarters.

The Court Street Bridge

Another condition of consolidation was the building of three bridges across the river, to accommodate the growing population of both sides. At the time there was but one bridge free from street railway tracks, and it was not in a location to conveniently carry a large vehicular traffic. Although there was some difference of opinion as to when and where the new bridges should be built, it was conceded that Court Street would afford an unob- structed, popular channel of communication between the two sides. The leading business men of the city were working together harmoniously, and they exerted every influence to bear on the project to build a wide, modern bridge at the foot of this street, and a connecting roadway across the middle ground and Emerson Bayou to Washington Street. Their efforts were successful and in 1897 the new thoroughfare was completed and opened for traffic. During the intervening years it has been kept free from car tracks, and is largely used and appreciated by owners of motor cars, as well as by the general public. The cost of this improvement was met by an issue of city bonds in the sum of sixty-eight thousand dollars.

The building of the other bridges was deferred for some years, partly on account of the policy of retrenchment in public improvements then pursued. and also because of the difficulty in deciding the exact locations for them. The bridge at the north end of the city, to connect with the Township of Carrollton, was constructed in 1004, the superstructure being the old Gen- esee Avenue bridge which was then being replaced by a modern lift bridge. Although in an out-of-the-way place, as respects population, this bridge serves the farming interests of both sides of the river; and it intersects North Washington Avenue at Sixth Street, hence the name of Sixth Street Bridge. The cost of construction was forty-three thousand dollars, pro- vided by an issue of city bonds to that amount. The other bridge was an entirely new structure and satisfied the demands of the "south siders" for direct communication with the rapidly growing manufacturing district of the Nineteenth Ward. It spans the river at the foot of Center Street and meets an extension of Florence Street, which intersects Michigan Avenue at the Belt Line crossing. This bridge and roadway was completed in 1906 at a cost of eighty-nine thousand dollars, also provided for by a bond issue.

Other City Bridges

The first bridge put across the Saginaw River was at the foot of Gen- esee Street, and replaced the old and uncertain rope ferry, which had been operated by E. N. Davenport for thirteen years, except when ice and the weather prevented. The bridge was built in 1864 by a few enterprising business men, who organized the Saginaw River Bridge Company January 21, of the preceding year, and was seven hundred feet in length with a draw span to allow vessels to pass through. The roadway across the bayou at the west end of this bridge was constructed by the primitive method of laying slabs and bark to a width of about twenty feet and then covering the founda-

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COURT STREET BRIDGE, 1898

tion with laver upon layer of sawdust. When thoroughly packed down this material made a passable road, but at this place during spring freshets it was covered with water to a depth of four to six feet. The track of the street railway, which connected the business sections of the two cities through Washington ( Michigan) Street, crossed the bayou on a trestle of piling, and thence by the bridge to the Bancroft House.

In 1865, to afford further communication with the west side of the river, the same company built a bridge at Bristol Street, to cross which a toll was exacted. This bridge was considerably longer than the other, the distance from shore to shore being ten hundred and eighty feet, and had two draws, one near each end. It was conveniently located for the growing population of both cities, and about 1885 was purchased by the Central Bridge Company, rebuilt and used by the cars of the Union Street Railway to reach the business center of Saginaw City. Since that time it has been one of the main arteries of travel across the river. In the nineties a new steel swing span was placed at the west channel, to safely carry the increas- ing traffic and the travel to and from Riverside Park. In 1911 this bridge was entirely rebuilt by the street railway company, at a cost of about thirty thousand dollars, and on May 6, 1912, the ownership passed to the city, without consideration, the only condition being its maintenance by the municipality.

The Mackinaw Street bridge was built in 1874 by the Saginaw Bridge Company, a corporation of which the officers were: David H. Jerome, presi- dent, Daniel L. C. Eaton, vice-president, and George L. Burrows, treasurer. The bridge and approaches were seven hundred and sixty feet in length and thirty feet in width, and formed a direct and convenient communication with the hustling town of South Saginaw. About fifteen years later the title and

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THE CONSOLIDATED SAGINAW'S

ownership of this bridge passed to the city, at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars. It is now the oldest bridge on the river, having been in constant use for forty-one years, fifteen of which it carried the street cars which ran to and from the "south end."

About the time the lumber and salt industries slowly approached the zenith of production, the west side of the river directly opposite East Sag- inaw was a very busy place, and a bridge at Johnson Street, the second north of Genesee, was deemed a public necessity. Accordingly, in 1878, a bridge thirty-two feet in width, having an iron swing span and two fixed spans of wood and iron, was built at this location. The cost to the city was eighteen thousand eight hundred and fifty-five dollars. For many years this bridge carried a considerable traffic, directly with the numerous mills and salt works along the river as far as Carrollton, but when these industries declined it fell into disuse. In 1912 it was condemned as unsafe for any other than pedestrian travel, and the following year was replaced by a modern steel girder, Scherzer Lift bridge, thirty-five feet five inches wide, having a total length of five hundred and twenty feet. The superstructure was built on solid concrete piers, and it is probably the best and most sub- stantial bridge ever secured by the city for anywhere near the cost, the total expenditures on its account being within eighty-five thousand dollars. Con- trary to the usual custom of issuing bonds for such improvements, the entire cost of this bridge was met by four annual items placed in the tax budget, beginning with 1910.

During the intervening years since the construction of the original bridge at Genesee Street, this thoroughfare has been the main artery of travel between the two sides and will always remain so. As far back as the seventies the first bridge proved inadequate, and was rebuilt and

GENESEE AVENUE BRIDGE, 1905

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY

strengthened. Following the catastrophe in which the east approach col- lapsed under the weight of hundreds of persons, who were watching the progress of a fire a short distance up the river, a number being drowned, an entirely new superstructure was erected and general repairs made at a cost of eighteen thousand five hundred and ninety dollars. This bridge served the needs of the city until 1901, when it was condemned as unsafe for street car service, it having been weakened by heavy interurban traffic. In the Fall of 1903 the bridge was taken down, and a new modern bridge of the girder type, having a Scherzer lift affording a clearance of one hundred and nineteen feet, was begun to replace it. The new structure has a total length of four hundred and forty-one feet, a width of fifty-six feet, is paved with concrete and creosote blocks, and is borne on solid concrete piers of the most enduring character. Both approaches are of earth filling, tamped and paved. The leaves of the Scherzer lift are operated by electricity, and are quickly raised and lowered for the passage of vessels, with but slight inter- ruption to traffic. The bridge was completed and opened to the public early in September, 1905, and the total cost exceeded one hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollars, which was provided for by the issue of city bonds in that amount. This sum was about thirty thousand in excess of the estimated cost of the bridge, and was due to many changes in the contract plan, in- cluding the raising of the superstructure about three feet above the prede- termined grade, due to the great flood of 1904 in which damage resulted to other city bridges.

The City Sewer System

Since 1866, a year in which East Saginaw expended more than eighteen thousand dollars for the construction of sewers, almost continuous progress has been made in this department of public works. To and including 1889, before consolidation with Saginaw City was effected, this city paid more than half a million dollars for sewers, about one-half of which was assessed directly against the property benefited by the improvement. The expendi- tures between 1880 and 1889 were particularly large, and at the latter date the city was well drained, excepting in some of the outlying sections. Since 1890, moreover, the sewer system of the Eastern District has been greatly extended, and the total cost has reached the sum of seven hundred and forty- six thousand dollars. Four hundred and fourteen thousand dollars of this amount was paid by assessment on the property benefited.

In providing for this very necessary public improvement Saginaw City was not far backward. From 1881 to and including 1889, the expenditures here reached two hundred and fifty-seven thousand dollars, only eighty-three thousand of which was paid by the property benefited. In the period follow- ing consolidation, to January 1, 1915, the mileage of sewers was greatly augmented, and the expenditures reached a total of six hundred and forty- two thousand dollars. A change in the policy of apportioning the costs resulted in three hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars of the total amount being paid by the property benefited.

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History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II, Part 29

Author: Mills, James Cooke Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Saginaw, Mich., Seemann & Peters Number of Pages: 838

Author: Mills, James Cooke
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Saginaw, Mich., Seemann & Peters
Number of Pages: 838