USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II > Part 31
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Federal Park
Adjoining the Federal Building on the south, and between it and Hoyt Library, from Jefferson to Warren Avenues, there is a plot of ground exactly one acre in extent, which is called Federal Park. It was laid out and im- proved by the planting of trees and shrubs shortly after the government building was completed, and is now an attractive feature of a very pleasing landscape of stone edifices covered with ivy. In the center of this park is a soldiers monument and fountain erected about twelve years ago by Aaron T. Bliss, as a memorial to his comrades who fell in battles of the Civil War. The trees in this park are now of sufficient size to afford an abundance of shade - a feature of no little importance in providing a comfortable resting place down town.
Small Parks
Supplementing the park system there are a number of circles and culti- vated spots at irregular intersections of streets, all properly cared for by the department, such as Germain Park, Second Street Park, Sheridan Avenue Park, Weadock Park, Park Place Park and Webber Circle. There are also two unimproved plots of ground, named Linton Park and Webber Park. which will probably be objects of city appropriations for improvements in future years.
The total area of Saginaw's parks is two hundred and twenty acres, of which about one hundred and twenty-five acres are improved and a source of joy and pleasure to the people. As years pass by the section of Ezra Rust Park called Ojibway Island will be improved, and other betterments made, and eventually the city will have a park system unsurpassed by any city of
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its class in the Middle West. The present expenditure for maintenance and improvements of the parks exceeds fifteen thousand dollars annually, and is increasing from year to year.
The Mershon-Whittier Natatorium
A fitting adjunct to our parks is the Mershon-Whittier Swimming Pool, which is under the care and control of the Commissioner of Parks and Cemeteries. This unique feature of the city's utilities was built and pre- sented to the city in August. 1910. by Edward C. Mershon and Charles Merrill & Company, as a fitting memorial to Augustus H. Mershon and Joseph A. Whittier, both of whom were esteemed citizens of this city; men of great integrity who did much for its upbuilding and firm establishment. The site for this swimming pool is on the old Whittier mill property at the west end of the Johnson Street bridge, a very accessible location ; and the records show that in 1914 the attendance was twenty-eight thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, of which five thousand four hundred and eigh- teen were women and girls, using the pool on Tuesday and Thursday only.
Under the terms of the grant the city furnishes river water for the filters, and provides for the maintenance and operation of the pool. All the water that enters the pool first passes through the filter, which has a capacity of two hundred gallons per minute, and thence into one or other of the two sections of the concrete basin. The first section is sixty-eight by sixty-one feet in size and ranges in depth from eighteen inches to four feet, while the other is sixty-one by thirty-one feet in size and has a depth of eight feet. These sections are separated by a concrete wall and railing, so that children unable to swim will not readily get into deep water. While the pool is in use the water is continually being changed, the overflow passing into a round, shallow pool in the center of the court, where all persons are required to wash with soap before entering the swimming pool. Around the walls of the court are benches, lockers and hooks for the use of the bathers.
MERSHON-WHITTIER NATATORIUM
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who may check their valuables with an attendant for safe keeping. A nominal charge for towels, bathing suits, lockers and similar privileges pro- duces a small revenue of about five hundred dollars each season, which is used toward defraying the expense of operation. In 1914 the pool was in use one hundred and one days, an average of six hours each, using forty- seven thousand five hundred gallons of filtered water each day, and a total of four million eight hundred thousand gallons for the season.
The City's Cemeteries
The public cemeteries owned and cared for by the city, like the public parks, passed under the control of the Board of Park and Cemetery Com- missioners, May 24, 1905. Brady Hill, the oldest of the city's burial grounds. comprising about twenty-two and a half acres, was first used in 1855. The first conveyance was from Alfred M. Hoyt to the Board of Health of the Township of Buena Vista, which, in 1882, by quit-claim, conveyed the same to the City of East Saginaw. The following year William L. Webber, executor and trustee of the estate of Jesse Hoyt, executed a release to the city of all the rights reserved in the original deed made by AAlfred M. lloyt. which perfected an absolute title in the city. With but limited revenue from the sale of lots, it was then almost entirely dependent upon city appropria- tions for its care and maintenance, no endowment fund having been created in former years for this purpose.
As a result of a want of foresight on the part of the early board of health, and the parsimony of the city fathers thereafter, Brady Hill Cemetery was very much neglected for a number of years. But in 1908, with a view. of adding to the finances of the cemetery, the commissioners had the unos- cupied portion, at the corner of Holland and Jefferson Avenues, replatted into lots to be sold for burial purposes. This action brought forth a protest from the residents of the neighborhood, together with a proposition from them to make a gift of four hundred and sixty-four dollars, so subscribed by them, to the commissioners for the sole purpose of defraying the expense of parking the unused portions of the cemetery along Jefferson Avenue, and at its intersection with Holland Avenue. This proposition was accepted by the commissioners, and the improvements made at a cost of about seven hundred dollars.
In 1914 the income of the Louisa C. Bartlett Endowment Fund for this cemetery became available, and about nineteen hundred dollars were spent that year in improvements about the family vault and the grounds im- mediately surrounding it. With this work completed and a small sum reserved for care and maintenance, the balance of the money from the endow- ment will be available for use elsewhere in the cemetery. The permanent improvements already made have added greatly to the appearance of the cemetery. and shows what can be done with intelligent use of the funds available.
Oakwood Cemetery
A very suitable plot of ground, although not conveniently situated, was purchased by Saginaw City for burial purposes in 1867. It is two miles beyond the present city limits, on the Gratiot State Road, and will never be encroached upon by the future expansion of growth of the city. . Is a place of burial it was opened in 1868, and is now the resting place of many pioneer citizens who were early identified with the growth and progress of Saginaw. Comprising ninety-eight acres with a noble forest of oak, beech and maple trees, and with natural ravines insuring perfect drainage, it is an ideal location for a cemetery to endure for ages.
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VIEWS IN OAKWOOD CEMETERY
VIEWS IN FOREST LAWN CEMETERY
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It is unfortunate that no endowment, or trust fund, has been established for Oakwood, a provision which is necessary if annual appropriations in future years for care and maintenance are to the avoided. The present con- ditions are such that the revenue from lot sales barely meets the current expenses. To put this cemetery on a self-supporting basis for the future should be the aim of interested lot holders, and could be accomplished by donations and bequests, left in trust, the income from which to be used for its care and perpetuity. Endowments also may be made by lot owners and deposited with the city for the special care of lots and keeping in repair the stones and monuments thereon.
Forest Lawn
In 1881 the limited number of lots in Brady Hill made it necessary for the city to secure additional burial grounds, and for this purpose the D. L. C. Eaton farm at the southerly limits of the city, containing ninety-seven and a half acres, was purchased at a cost of about seventeen thousand dollars. In the same year the noted landscape artist, Joseph Earnshaw, of Cincin- nati, furnished plans, consisting of a general lot plan, drainage and platting plans, together with the staking out and numbering of thirteen hundred lots and five hundred and eighty single graves.
Superseding the old and obsolete methods of small sections and sunken paths, which were not economical from either an income or maintenance standpoint, the new plans were drawn on modern lines, known as the lawn system or park plan. The observance and effect of this system with skill and taste in arrangement, produced a uniform and restful beauty through- out the whole cemetery.
The Chapel and Receiving Vault, a durable and handsome edifice, well adapted for the purposes intended, was constructed in 1901, at a cost of eight thousand nine hundred dollars, and is held subject to the wishes of any persons who may need its use, at a nominal charge. The artistic setting of the chapel has been enhanced by the judicious planting of shrubs and evergreens around the building, which is of Byzantine style, the whole effect being very pleasing to the eye.
In 1893 a Local Act was passed by the Legislature providing for a trust find for Forest Lawn, consisting of "fifty per cent. of all moneys which shall from time to time be received from sale of lots and single graves in said cemetery, shall constitute a trust fund, the income from which, together with the remaining fifty per cent., shall be used for the general care and maintenance of said cemetery." The amount of this fund on January 1. 1915, was eighty-five thousand five hundred and eighty-four dollars, invested in our city or county bonds. As the income from this trust fund is used for the general care and maintenance of the cemetery, and not for special care of lots, monuments and mausoleums, a number of lot owners have made endowments, amounting to seven thousand two hundred dollars, for the care and improvements of their lots.
The Jefferson Avenue entrance gates and parking were constructed and improved from a fund provided by William L. Webber, and applied for these purposes through the sanction and interest of his daughters, the gate piers being of Bedford stone. The Washington Avenue entrance is now improved with wrought iron gates of graceful design, and with simple but massive granite piers that will endure for ages. Mr. O. C. Simonds plan for planting at this entrance, when fully carried out, was very pleasing in effect. The public service building, combining rest room and sexton's office, which was built in 1913, covers a long desired necessity, and is artistic in giving a proper setting to the main entrance.
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Besides the city's public cemeteries there are Calvary and St. Andrew's Cemeteries, which are owned and maintained by the several parishes of the Roman Catholic Church. Calvary is situated on the brow of a hill a short distance south of Brady Hill, and is reached by a winding road through Hoyt Park, and also by a lane from Jefferson Avenue. Though not a large burial ground, a number of Saginaw's pioneer and representative citizens have here a final resting place. It is a beautiful spot, well cared for, and commands a fine view of Hoyt Park and environs.
The Auditorium
More than twenty-five years ago, during a strike of lumber showers, or "dock-whallopers" as they were called, Wellington R. Burt, in discussing the situation with another citizen, conceived the idea of establishing a large building where the people could get together and talk over matters in dis- pute, and thus more quickly come to an understanding. As time passed and the need of such a building, where conventions and public meeting- could be held, seemed more urgent, a tentative plan gradually unfolded itself in his mind, and he resolved to put the matter before the people. He had just witnessed the completion of the Manual Training School, which had been made possible by his generosity and personal interest in the welfare of the rising generations, and he wanted to do something for the okler people. The spirit of helpful co-operation and interest in the future prosperity of his home city, which he had known for more than fifty years, were strong within him, and he manifested it. as usual, in a practical way.
About 1'05 he accordingly launched a movement for a public conven- tion hall, to seat from three to four thousand people. The site at first advocated was the parking between the Federal Building and Hoyt Library, but many citizens, wishing to preserve this attractive spot as a park, ob- jected to this location, and for a time the project was in abeyance. The vacant corner at Warren and Germania Avenues was also suggested as a suitable site for a public building of this character, but the location likewise met with disfavor, the price asked being generally regarded as prohibitive. Thus the matter drifted until October, 1907, when Wellington R. Burt and Temple E. Dorr made a joint proposal to the city council, providing for the erection of a municipal convention hall.
Their proposition was a very favorable one to the city, inasmuch as it provided for an expenditure on their part of seventy-five thousand dollars toward the project. the city to furnish the remainder of the cost of construc- tion and equipment. The offer was duly accepted by the council, plans and specifications were prepared by W. T. Cooper & Son, and the contract for the erection of the building awarded to John Il. Qualmann. The site finally selected was entirely satisfactory to the citizens in general, and has a frontage of one hundred and twenty feet on Washington Avenue, and ex- tends one hundred and eighty feet on Janes. On April 24, 1908, the corner stone was laid with interesting ceremonies, and the construction work was rushed during the Summer, in order to have it completed in October, for the Fifty-sixth Convention of the Michigan State Teachers Association.
On September 30 the large building was so near completion that the first public meeting was held, and on October 23 occurred the first formal civic opening, when the keys of the Auditorium were delivered by the donors to the trustees, who had been duly appointed to manage its affairs, The dedicatory ceremonies, taking the form of a grand musical festival, were held on October 28 and 29, and eclipsed anything of this nature ever at- tempted in Saginaw Valley. The great feature of the concerts was the New York Symphony Orchestra, directed by Walter Damrosch, aided by a mixed
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THE AUDITORIUM Erected in 1908 through the munificence of Wellington R Burt and Temple E. Dorr
chorus of four hundred voices under the direction of John G. Cummings, and the great organ played by C. H. White, of Bay City. The soloists were Mme. Johanna Gadski, Mme. Isabella Boulton, contralto, and George Ham- lin, tenor: and Earl Morse, violinist, and Frank LaForge, pianist, added greatly to the enjoyment of the concerts.
The climax of the grand festival was on the evening of the twenty- eighth, when Mendelssohn's Hymn of Praise was rendered by the chorus, orchestra and organ, in a manner surpassing any previous effort of the singers, and which still lingers in the memory of all music lovers who were present. On the following afternoon occurred the second of the orchestra concerts, and in the evening was given the complimentary concert to the teachers at the convention. More than four thousand were admitted to the great hall, yet many were unable to enter, so crowded was every corner of the structure. When Mme. Gadski learned of this condition, she kindly offered, in order that none of the teachers should be disappointed, to give an extra concert the following morning, which was held to an overflow house at the Academy of Music.
On these occasions the great organ, a magnificent gift of Mr. Burt, was heard for the first time by throngs of citizens, and visitors to the city, all of whom were captivated by its tone and power. In the lofts at either side of the stage, and in the center of the ceiling, are the great, swell, pedal and echo organs, while the four manual console, electrically operating many hun- dred pipes of the fifty-five stops, is in the center of the orchestra pit. The organ is one of the great features of the Auditorium, and is heard to splendid advantage at the Sunday afternoon concerts during the Winter, and at musical festivals and other gala occasions. It was built and set up by the Austin Organ Company, at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars, and ranks among the largest and best in the State.
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The Auditorium itself is a valuable asset to the city, and with its splendid equipment, thanks to the generosity of Messrs. Burt and Dorr, has cost the city only about fifty thousand dollars, the burden of which is spread over a number of years. The benefits accruing from this large and useful building are enjoyed by present generations, as well as it will be by those to follow, and is for the use of the people, not for any particular party, class or creed, but is open to the humblest citizen. It provides a suitable place for holding large public meetings, conventions, industrial expositions, musical festivals and theatricals, while the banquet ball above the lobby affords every facility for dancing parties, art exhibits, lectures and small gatherings. The Board of Auditorium Trustees is composed of William S. Linton, pres- ident. William Ferris, secretary, and W. R. Purmort, treasurer.
Adjoining the Auditorium on the west is the new and well-equipped Armory Building, which houses the local company of the State Militia and the Second Division of the Michigan State Naval Brigade. This is a three- story and basement brick and stone structure, sixty by one hundred and twenty feet in size, of pleasing and appropriate style, and was completed in the Fall of 1909. It was built jointly by the State and the city, the legisla- tive appropriations being twenty thousand dollars, while the city contrib- uted ten thousand dollars additional, for its construction. Affording com- plete club facilities, with reading room, billiard and pool room, bowling alleys, gymnasium and drill hall, and shower baths, the new armory is much appreciated by the officers and men of the two companies.
Directly opposite the Armory. at the foot of Janes Street, is Battery Park, on ground which was purchased by the city in 1909 for a municipal dock and water front park. It is an admirable drill ground for the militia, and affords convenient docking facilities for the naval reserve cutters and small craft in general. The municipal investment in this park and the im- provements was about eight thousand dollars. the benefits of which will largely accrue to following generations.
City Government by Commission
As a whole the citizens of Saginaw, with all their progressiveness and enterprise, have been quite free in the past from adopting fads and fancies. seemingly being content to "let well enough alone." But in the matter of civil government they all at once discovered, or thought they had, that they were far behind the times, and, throwing traditions aside, they overturned the old party regime, with its cliques, combinations and frame-ups, and adopted a new and less cumbersome municipal government. Among the various causes for this revolution may be cited sectional strife and jealousy. party garb for spoils; it was charged there was wasteful and inefficient conduct of city affairs; and possibly the Genesee Avenue Bridge muddle. the gas franchise scandal, the electric lighting contracts, and disregard of the will of the people had something to do with it.
As a matter of fact the city was not badly managed as many of our citizens imagined. At the time of transition to "commission form of gov- ernment," Saginaw stood at the head of all cities in the United States of like population as to its general credit, rate of taxation, etc. Even granting the errors and omissions of former councils, a grave doubt existed in the minds of many conservative, yet progressive citizens, that the new form of government was any better than the old, or would deliver them from blunder in the future. The ideas of the reformers however prevailed, and the ques- tion of making a new charter was put to a vote of the people, and carried. In due course the charter commissioners were elected, and after many months of deliberation over the various provisions proposed, a new charter was com-
BEAVER ICH
GLOTU"FAS
MERCAN DENTISTS
1
RMAN
SAGINAW MILLINE COMPANY
STREET SCENES DURING THE GREAT FLOOD OF MARCH, 1904
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
pleted and presented to the people. At a special election held November 15, 1913, the charter was approved by a majority of nine hundred and ninety-two. and it took effect January 1. 1914.
By the terms of the new charter, a primary election was required to be held on December first next following, for the purpose of choosing the nominees for mayor and four other councilmen, and ten supervisors at large. There was a large field of available material, for the most part eager to be retained or to get in public service, and great interest was aroused among all classes of the people. The campaign waxed warm and fifty-four candi- dates qualified for the councilmanic plums, and forty-three for the office of supervisors. The three candidates for mayor were Ard E. Richardson, Albert W. Tausend and Daniel Crane. From the first strong opposition was areused to the candidacy of Mr. Tausend, chiefly among the leaders of his own party (politics still dominating the situation), and personal animosities entered in no small degree to heighten the interest. The Democratic party was dominated by the Beach-Lown faction, which insisted on simon pure Democratic timber for all public offices, and never forgave Tausend for a division of the offices with hated Republicans, especially certain city officials who were kept in office by the Tausend-Stenglein-Graebner combination in the council.
This combination procured for the city a non-partisan body of city offi- cials, at the head of which was George C. Warren, controller ( Republican ). Mr. Warren's efficiency is unquestioned. He placed the city's accounting upon a basis second to none in use in any municipality in the country. Mr. Tausend's ( Democrat) effort for efficient non-partisan city administration cost him defeat in immediate future aspiration to office.
The spirit of revolution was strong among the voters, and they de- termined to establish an entirely new regime in city affairs. A new square deal was what was needed for the best interests of the city. To change the system, as they had previously voted to do, and reorganize the city business, and then put back into control the men who were wrongfully charged by the press with having strenuously fought against any change, would be the height of folly as showing a lamentable want of common sense. .An entirely new set of managers was what they wanted. The truth was many of the members of the old Council, including Mayor Tausend, were in favor of and voted for the new form of government. So the electors marched duti- fully to the polls and registered their verdict, with the result that Ard E. Richardson was elected mayor by a majority of fourteen hundred and twenty- two, carrying sixteen of the twenty wards. The councilmen nominated at the primary were: William F. Jahnke, Robert F. Johnson, William Heim, William H. Reins, George Holcomb, Egbert 11. Patterson, J. E. Runchey and Charles H. Peters.
The election of the councilmen and supervisors was held December 22. 1913, and was merely formal as carrying out the expressed wishes of the people. Some surprising results obtained nevertheless, and most noteworthy being the strong following of William H. Reins, who led all the nominees. The vote was: William II. Reins, four thousand and twenty-one; William F. Jahnke, thirty-eight hundred and twenty-nine: George Holcomb, thirty- eight hundred and twelve: and Robert F. Johnson, thirty-six hundred and fifty-eight. The supervisors elected were: Charles F. Bauer, John J. Leid- lein, Abe Van Overen, Leo J. Demers, Fred Bluhm, John B. Nauer. Adam Sharp, Fred E. Curtis, Julius C. Hlahn and George E. Scollen. These men elected at large represent the entire city on the Board of Supervisors, and act with the mayor, councilmen, city controller, city engineer, city attorney, and the five members of the board of review, as representatives of the City of Saginaw on the county's governing board.
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