USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 11
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But halls, like dogs, have their days, and the sun of Mead's Hall's day set February 29, 1872: for the opera house, now known as Baird's, was opened on the Ist day of March of that year, on the southwest cor-
ner of Washington avenue and Ionia street. It was built by D. W. Buck, F. M. Cowles and W. S. Elliott, and was thought to be a very pretty opera house, and it has been much improved by remodeling and refur- nishing, and is as pleasant and inviting as is found outside of large cities.
MANUFACTORIES.
As it is not the writer's province to write for advertising purposes, he will not attempt to write up each of the numerous factories in Lansing, but, instead, will give enough to show the marvelous growth in that line from the past to the present.
Outside of the saw-mill of James Sey- mour and the "grist-mill" of Hart, Danforth & Smith, which were not called or thought of as manufactories, there were, in 1848, at "lower town," two potteries : one on the east side of Center street, about twenty rods north of Adams street, owned by a Mr. Lowell, and the other on the west side of Cedar street, a few rods south of Adams street, owned by a Mr. Norris, where the writer saw the clay assume wonderful shapes in the hands of the potter on his wheel run by pedal. There was also James Turner's foundry, where plow points and small cast- ings were manufactured, and where the writer, in big-eyed wonder, first saw molten iron run from the stack into vessels and from them into the moulds. It was on the west side of Race street, several rods south of Franklin avenue, and, about 1850, James Beal had a brick yard on the east side of Larch street, about thirty rods north of Sheridan street. In the early fif- ties there was a carding mill on Race street, just south of the foundry, where farmers brought their wool to be carded and pre- pared for the spinning wheel; which had before been done by their wives with two hand cards. So, it seems, most of the manu-
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
facturing was done by water power at North Lansing; though Mr. Quckenbush had a steam saw-mill on the west side of Cedar street off Kalamazoo street, about where the oil tanks now are, and in the early fifties, Fred Alton had a cooper shop, where he made pork barrels, on the west bank of Grand river on the south side of Kalamazoo street, where the greenhouse now is.
For many years, the business men of Lan- sing have desired to make it a manufactur- ing city, and have devoted their energies and much money to that end, and now feel that they have succeeded.
The Detroit Free Press of October 19, 1904, contained the following :
REMARKABLE GROWTH.
LANSING SHOWS IT IN ITS MANUFACTUR- ING INTERESTS.
Lansing, Mich., October 18 .- In the can- vass made by the State and Federal census authorities the city of Lansing makes the best showing of any city in the State so far as the growth of its manufacturing in- dustries is concerned. In 1900 there were seventy-four manufacturing enterprises in the city; this year the number is ninety- eight. Although there is an increase of only 32 per cent in the number of institutions, the capital, output, wages, men employed, etc., has increased over 100 per cent in four . years. The totals are as follows :
1904.
1900.
Capital
.$5.999.018
$2.055,113
Salaried officials, clerks, etc., number
340
163
Salaries
$352,360
$135.175
Average number of wage workers. 2.982
1.399
Total wages
$1.288.542
$569.039
Miscellaneous expenses
613.661
170.588
Cost of materials used
3.473,287
1.642.121
Value of products
6.887,415
2,942,30€
And the State Republican, of the same date, contained the following :
"RECORD BREAKING LANSING.
"That Lansing has surpassed every other city in the State in its industrial growth dur- ing the past four years is indicated by the figures of the census bureau relative to its factory statistics in 1900 and 1904. While the number of factories has increased a third, the amount of capital invested is 191 per cent greater, the number of men employed has more than doubled, as has also the amount of wages paid. The value of pro- ducts is 134 per cent greater, being now $6,887,415 annually as compared with $2,- 942,306 only four years ago.
"Even these figures do not give an ade- quate idea of Lansing's prosperity and pro- gress, for since they were gathered the big Olds automobile concern, the new Reo Car Co. with a capital of $1,000,000, has been formed, and a number of other new institu- tions have been added to the city's list, while others have increased their capital. It will not be many weeks before the Reo Car Co. will begin business with a force of employes that will add hundreds to the city's grow- ing population. Other factories also want more men, and on every hand may be seen evidences that the city's phenomenal growth during the past four years has by no means ceased.
"There may be more prosperous cities than Lansing, but every one of its citizens is like a man from Missouri in the matter, and 'you've got to show him.""
Lansing has reason for the pride she feels because of her success in this line and for her gratitude to the "Business Men's As- sociation," the active members of which are entitled to great credit for the energy and business capacity they have devoted and are continuously devoting to the interests of the city towards securing new factories.
The following are the manufactories in
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PAST AND PRESENT
Lansing, at the present time-there may be others before this is published.
E. Bement's Sons-One of the largest manufacturers of agricultural implements and stoves in the U. S., and the largest manufacturers of bob-sleighs in the world.
Olds Motor Works-The largest manu- facturers of automobiles in the world.
Olds Gasoline Engine Works-The larg- est exclusive gasoline engine factory in the world.
Lansing Wheelbarrow Co .- The second largest wheelbarrow and truck factory in the world.
Hugh Lyons & Co .- The largest manu- facturers of store fixtures, show cases and wax figures in the world.
A. Clark & Co .- Lansing's pioneer car- riage manufacturers. One of the largest in Michigan.
Lansing Wagon Works-Extensive manu- facturers of high grade wagons and buggies.
Omega Separator Co .- A large, prosper- ous company, manufacturing cream separa- tors and creameries.
Brown Lumber Co .- Having an exten- sive lumber yard and operating a large plan- ing mill.
Hall Lumber Co .- Extensive dealers in lumber, shingles, etc., with yards at Lan- sing and North Lansing.
American Cut Glass Co .- The largest manufacturers of cut glass in Michigan.
Hammell Cracker Co .- Manufacturers of H. C. crackers and sweet goods. A new one.
Michigan Knitting Co .- A large and well equipped factory making a complete line of knit goods.
J. C. Schneider Carriage Co .- Manufac- turers of special carriages and trucks.
Keokuk Canning Co .- A new company just located in Lansing which adds one more factory to our diversified list.
Hazelton Furnace Co .- Manufacturing a splendid line of hot air furnaces.
Murry & Murry .- Manufacturing the celebrated Alexander Furnace.
Lansing Foundry Co .- An extensive job foundry, doing a large business for some of the best firms in the United States.
Genesee Fruit Co .-- The largest manufac- turers of cider and cider vinegar in Michi- gan.
A. Simon Brass Foundry .- Doing an ex- tensive brass foundry business.
Clarkmobile Co. -- Manufacturers of Clarkmobiles and gas engines. A new one.
Bates Mobile Co .- Manufacturers of high grade touring cars. Old firm ; new line.
Capital Casting Co .- Who do an exten- sive job foundry business. Their specialty is a greatly improved plow point.
Clippert, Spaulding & Co .- Who have made 25,000,000 brick in the past three years which have been consumed in Lansing.
Iama Hamper Co .- Manufacturers of clothes hampers and ventilated barrels.
Jarvis Engine & Machine Co .- Operating a large and well equipped machine shop, making a specialty of the Jarvis Low Water Alarm Columns.
Lawrence & Van Buren-Job printers ; doing an extensive business throughout Michigan and other states.
Ressler Novelty Co .- Manufacturers of kitchen novelties.
Olds Peat Co .- Manufacturers and job- bers of peat.
Capital Chemical Co .- Manufacturers of boiler compound.
W. S. Olds Engine Co .- Manufacturers of air-cooled gas engines.
Stone and Buck Fence Post Co .- Manu- facturers of cement fence posts.
R. E. Brackett - Manufacturer of Brackett's Celebrated Razor Hones.
91
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Lansing Rug Co .- Manufacturers of rugs.
Gilkey Tent and Awning Co .- Manufac- turers of tents and awnings.
Hammond Publishing Co .- Manufactur- ers of school books. Supply trade in 26 states.
Sleight Bros .- Manufacturers of the Sleight Combined Beet Puller and Topper.
Lansing Artificial Stone Co .- Manufac- turers of cement blocks and cement brick.
F. Thoman & Bro., C. Breisch & Co., Madison Milling Co .- Grinding out large quantities of the staff of life.
Maud S Wind Mill & Pump Co .- The largest manufacturers of wind mills, pumps, tanks, tank heaters and silos in Michigan.
Bates & Edmonds Motor Co .- One of the largest and most reliable gas engine manu- facturers in the United States.
Michigan Condensed Milk Co .- The largest condensed milk factory in Michigan ; paying out each year over $275,000.00 to the farmers in this section.
Lansing Veneered Door Co .- The largest exclusive manufacturers of veneered doors in Michigan.
W. K. Prudden & Co .- The largest manu- facturers of automobile wheels in the United States.
Hildreth Motor & Pump Co .- Large manufacturers of gas engines and pumps.
Autobody Co .- Manufacturers of high grade automobile bodies.
Lansing Spoke Co .- Manufacturers of wagon spokes, bent rims, and all kinds of hardwood lumber.
Lansing Column Co .- Large manufactur- ers of colonial porch columns, a new industry strictly up-to-date.
Peerless Motor Co .- Manufacturers of high grade gas engines. A new industry.
Beilfus Motor Co .- A prosperous and
growing company, manufacturing gas en- gines. A new industry.
Lansing Brewing Co .- Who brew the best beer in Michigan.
Jas. Rork & Bro .- Extensive manufac- turers of wind mills, pumps, tanks and stock racks.
Lansing Motor & Pump Co .- Manufac- turers of gas engines and pumps. A new one.
Severance Tank Works .- One of the largest manufacturers of silos and tanks in the United States.
Rikerd Lumber Co .- Owning and opera- ting one of the largest and best equipped mills in the State for the manufacturing of interior finish, also have two large lumber yards in the city.
Kneeland Gas Engine Co .- Manufactur- ers of gas engines. A new one.
Lansing Confectionery Co., H. & B. Candy Co., Evans Candy Co.
Lansing Cold Storage Co .- Who have just erected the most complete and substan- tial plant of its kind in the State.
National Coil Co .- Manufacturers of spark coils for automobiles and gas engines.
Northrop, Robertson & Carrier .- Large manufacturers and jobbers of drug and grocery specialties.
Piatt Bros .- Do a large business in fur- nishing steam heat, electric power and lights.
Queen Bee Cigar Co.
Creole Cigar Co.
C. P. Lesher's Sons-Cigars.
Chas. Loomis-Cigars.
Thos. Paltridge-Cigars.
H. H. Freedman-Cigars.
F. C. Coopes-Cigars.
I. R. Van Fleet-Cigars.
Elite Cigar Co .- Cigars
Buehler & Hill-Cigars.
Capital City Cigar Co .- Cigars. Otto Perry-Cigars.
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PAST AND PRESENT
Sullivan & Co .- Bottlers of all kinds of soft drinks.
Lansing Beet Sugar Co .- Manufacturers of beet sugar, operating one of the largest and finest factories in Michigan.
W. A. Depew-Extensive manufacturer of cigar boxes.
Lansing Folding Seat & Table Co .--- Manufacturers of a patented folding park seat and table. New firm and goods.
J. P. Moers Boiler Works --- Manufactur- ers of boilers and stacks, and does a general repair business.
Townsend Cutlery Co .- Manufacturers of cutlery and specialties. The latest.
Robert Smith Printing Co .- State bind- ers. Have the largest and most complete printing, binding and electrotyping plant in Michigan. Do an extensive catalogue and edition book business.
Wynkoop, Hallenbeck, Crawford Co .---- State printers. Also do an extensive print- ing business for large firms in all parts of the country.
Reo Car Company. Walker Tool Co.
Lansing Cooperage Co.
Rice Manufacturing Co .-- Asbestos, wood and metal goods.
Lansing Journal Co. Frank T. Collver -- Shirt manufactory.
Western Tool Co.
Parmalee & Ryan-Flour mill.
William Barrett-Baked goods.
A. C. Bauer & Co .-- Chemicals.
A. Simons' Iron Co. Grand River Electrical Co.
Lansing Gas Light Co.
Hammond Publishing Co.
In response to solicitations, we have re- ceived the following which is included to give credit to whom it is especially due, for the establishment of so many manufactories in Lansing :
Lansing, Mich., Dec. 16, 1904. Mr. A. E. Cowles,
Lansing, Mich.
Dear Sir-In reply to your request re- garding the present officers and directors- of the Lansing Business Men's Ass'n, I beg to say they are as follows :
James J. Baird --- President.
A. A. Piatt -- Vice President.
J. Edward Roe-Treasurer.
Jas. B. Seager, Lawrence Price, C. E. Bement, C. S. Smith, A. C. Bird, Chas. P. Downey, Harry Woodworth, Jacob Stahl, Chris. Breisch, Edgar S. Porter, Harris E. Thomas, Chas. W. Foster and O. A. Jeni- son, Secretary.
This board of directors, with a few ex- ceptions, has been continuous since the or- ganization of our association in January, 1901. Perhaps no organization of this kind ever accomplished so much in so short a time. Through its efforts, directly or in- directly, as many as 50 industries have been established in the City of Lansing. Our population has increased at the rate of over 1,000 a year. About 10 of our large con- cerns have increased their capital stock. The bank statements show an immense increase percentage in deposits, and the healthy con- dition of all business interests in the city is the talk of the entire State. Of course the bulk of all work of this kind usually devolves upon a few and I am perhaps safe in saying that Mr. Harris E. Thomas, Mr. James J. Baird, Mr. J. Edward Roe, Mr. Ed. S. Por- ter, Mr. Chas. P. Downey, Mr. A. A. Piatt, and possibly the writer, have given as much or more time than any one else connected with our Association. In addition to this, the Lansing Improvement Co., whose Secre- tary is Mr. H. H. Larned, should not be left out for their share of the wonderful achievements. Also the Lansing Manufac- turers' Club, with A. C. Bird as President
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and Charles S. Smith as Secretary, have done a good deal to keep matters in good shape among the different manufacturing in- stitutions. Harmony, as you know, being of the greatest value possible.
If I have overlooked anything you are de- sirous of knowing, I will gladly give you statements and facts upon your request.
Very respectfully,
O. A. JENISON.
Hillsdale county. The road had a very valu- able grant of land made by the legislature but subscriptions of stock was demanded and in order to secure the road, many business men subscribed and the city took $25,000 ·worth of the stock which, after holding it a number of years it sold for $62.50. The road connected with the Detroit and Mil- waukee Railroad at Owosso, and gave out- lets east via. Detroit and west via. Grand
UNION RAILROAD STATION-BEAUTIFUL BUILDING WHICH IS OCCUPIED JOINTLY BY MICHIGAN CENTRAL AND PERĘ MARQUETTE.
THE FIRST RAILROAD.
Since Lansing has become a railroad cen- ter the present generation cannot quite . to get there from here.
understand how the people, for many years, longed for and strove to obtain railroad con- nection with the outside world, and with what joy they welcomed the first prolonged whistle of the locomotive as it neared North Lansing, coming from the north on the "Ramshorn" railroad, as it was dubbed, be- cause the line provided for in its charter was so crooked. Its proper name was "The Am- boy, Lansing and Traverse Bay Railroad." its southern terminus being at Amboy in
Rapids, Grand Haven and Lake Michigan, but it was necessary to go north to Owosso
The construction was commenced at Owosso in `1858 and the road reached Bath the next year, where it stopped for a long time and connection was made with it by stage coach ; then it came to the east side of the big marsh, now known as "Chandler's Marsh," and made another halt; then it crossed the marsh and came half a mile this side to the deep cut, as it was called, and stopped again until the fall of 1862 when it came to North Lansing. The first company
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PAST AND PRESENT
that left here for the front in the Civil War, Co. G, 3rd Regiment, Michigan Infantry, met it in lumber wagons at Bath on the 13th day of May, 1861.
Under a special land grant it was, in 1863, extended south to Michigan avenue.
The Lansing and Jackson R. R. Co. was incorporated in 1864, finished its road from
important of the several important roads which make Lansing a railroad center.
RAILROAD PASSENGER STATIONS.
Lansing has four railroad passenger sta- tions. The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, the Michigan Central and Pere Marquette, one at Lansing and one at North
GRAND TRUNK WESTERN DEPOT-HANDSOME STRUCTURE WHICH WAS OPENED JANUARY 20, 1903.
Jackson to Lansing in 1866, purchased the Amboy, Lansing and Traverse Bay road, consolidated the two under the name of "The Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw," extended to Saginaw in 1867 and to the Straits of Mackinaw in 1881. In 1871 the road was leased by the Michigan Central R. R. Co. for a term of ninety-nine years and has since been operated by and under the name of that company and has become one of the most
Lansing, and the Chicago and Grand Trunk, but with the exception of the L. S. & M. S., they were all, until 1902, wooden buildings, and of late years were considered out of date, inadequate and a disgrace to the city that had made such rapid strides in the line of improvements, and the people clamored for new ones until they obtained them-two of them- even better ones than they had rea- son to expect. The Michigan Central and
95
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Pere Marquette companies erected their magnificent station in the years 1901 and 1902 and opened it to the public on the 25th day of June, 1902.
The Chicago and Grand Trunk company followed closely with one even better, and it was opened for business January 20, 1903.
The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern company erected their neat little brick sta- tion when the road was completed to Lan- sing in 1873. It will be remembered as the first respectable railroad station erected in Lansing.
STREET AND SUBURBAN RAILWAYS.
Several ordinances passed the common council granting franchises for constructing and operating street railways at different times during a period of twenty years, but, as no railway was constructed, the ordi- nances were repealed, from time to time, un- til January 25, 1886, when a franchise was granted to "The Lansing City Railway Com- pany," to construct, maintain and operate a street railway on Washington avenue from the Grand Trunk railway north to Franklin street, east on Franklin street to East street, and on Michigan avenue from Washington avenue to East street. The franchise was ac- cepted by the Messrs. Clark, March 1, 1886, and they proceeded to build Lansing's first street railway, a horse car road, for which ground was broken April 12, 1886; one mile of track having been completed on April 26, 1886, the council voted to return to the Clarks the $500 they had been required to deposit as a forfeit. Workmen had reached Franklin street by May 8th. The road was completed that year but we are unable to learn the exact time. The rights and prop- erty of the company were purchased by Messrs. H. L. Hollister and M. D. Skinner in 1890, and they, after obtaining from the city the right so to do, changed to an electric
railway, taking up the old track and laying a new one of heavier iron. This change was completed so that a trial trip was made on the 26th of August, 1890, by a car load of prominent electricians, newspaper men and citizens, and in the Labor Day parade, Sep- tember 2, 1890, there was an electric car with an old horse car, trailing, inside of which was a mule with his head out of the door and a placard on one side of the car, "Electricity vs. Mules," and on the other side, "No further use for me." Hollister and Skinner had floated bonds to the amount of $160,000, and secured payment by mort- gage on the railway and equipments. A large part of these bonds were purchased by the Continental Trust Company of New York, and default in payment having been made, the trust company, on March 18, 1892, filed a bill in chancery to foreclose the mortgage and soon, by compromise, became owners of the railway, and in October, 1892, organized and incorporated a new company, "The Lansing City Electric Railway Com- pany," with a capital of $100,000. This company operated the railway for about nine years without making repairs of much ac- count, and the cars and all of the equipment became in a run-down and dilapidated con- dition and the people hailed with delight the news of the sale and transfer, in October, 1901, to Messrs. Hawks & Angus of De- troit, hoping that now there would be an improvement and the street railway would become what it should be. But they were doomed to disappointment, for it became worse instead of better, and became a dis- grace to the city, which had the reputation of having the poorest street car service in the country, and proceedings were commenced by the city authorities to forfeit the charter, which probably caused the company to sell to the present company, which was consum- mated August 27, 1903. The officers of the
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PAST AND PRESENT
company are : President, Nelson Mills ; Vice President, Geo. L. Moore ; Treasurer, Myron WV. Mills; and Secretary, James R. Elliott. These men have the gratitude of the people for the improvements they have made, giv- ing Lansing, at last, a respectable street rail- way.
The city authorities had been deceived so many times that they did not discontinue forfeiture proceedings for a long time and until they became satisfied that the provis- ions of the charter would be complied with.
The members of the company formed the Michigan Suburban Railroad Co., and the Lansing, St. Johns and St. Louis Railway Company for the construction of suburban lines with Lansing as one of the termini. They built the road to St. Johns and ran steam cars over it until it could be equipped with electrical appliances and began operat- ing it as an electric line in April, 1904. They also constructed an electric line to Waverly Park and opened it for traffic August I, 1904. They also repaired and put in good condition the line to the Agricultural Col- lege, which had been extended there in 1894, and the Washtenaw street line which was built in 1889. "The Lansing City Electric Railway Company," and "The Lansing, St. Johns and St. Louis Railway Company," were consolidated April 1, 1904, under the name of the "The Lansing and Suburban Traction Company."
The Michigan Suburban Company was organized to operate the road to St. Johns by steam until it could be run by electricity and the company ceased to exist when the change was made.
Several other suburban lines from Lan- sing have been projected and companies have been incorporated for constructing them and undoubtedly in the near future one will be built from Jackson and one from Battle
Creek to Lansing, and the College line will be extended to Pine Lake.
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
The State institutions located at Lansing show for themselves what they are, at the present time, and it does not seem necessary to take time and space to go into a particular description of them, but it may be proper and interesting to give something of their early histories and of their growth.
THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
The first of the State institutions to be located here was the "House of Correction for Juvenile Offenders." The beneficent pur- pose of it cannot be better told than by copy- ing from the message of Governor Andrew Parsons to the State legislature of 1855, at the expiration of his term of service, and also from the inaugural message of Governor Kingsley S. Bingham in the same year. Gov. Parsons said :
"I believe it to be the duty of the legisla- ture to establish a House of Correction for juvenile offenders. There are many chil- dren of tender age, when they are easily tempted and cannot estimate the enormity of crime, who are induced to commit offenses which send them to the county jails or State prison, among hardened offenders, where they are likely to learn more injury than good. Many of these, if confined in a proper place, trained to habits of industry, and prop- erly taught the error of their ways and their duties, while yet young, would come out pre- pared to shun temptation and to make good and useful citizens. It is enjoined upon the parent that he train up his children in the way they should go. If the State assumes to take charge of children away from their parents, or to take charge of orphan children,
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