Green Oak Township Historical Society

Transcription

1 Official Newsletter of the Green Oak Township Historical Society Volume 37 Issue No. 1 January/February 2018 Drawing by George DeAngelis Green Oak Township Historical Society Board for 2017: The Board meets the second Wednesday each month, except December, at 6:30 pm. You are welcome to attend any meeting. President Marilyn Harrington Vice President Antoinette T Shelvey Susan Nenadic Secretary - Maris Wallag Presenting History on the Go 2:00 PM Treasurer David Huck Sunday, April 22, 2018 Trustees: Marieanna Bair Bill Besso Anna Ernst Walt Ernst Erlah Lambert Bill Lintner Ruth Munzel Stuart Schluckebier (Snacks and Desserts will be served.) This presentation provides a review of the Civil War though National Park Service Sites. Including the U.S. Prisoner of War Museum at Andersonville GA. Please note the change in time and from our usual potluck luncheons. The Society will provide light snacks and desserts. Just come and enjoy the program. Green Oak Township Historical Society Marilyn Harrington, President and Editor of the Green Oak Historian. Additions/Corrections Check out the Society s website: Silver Lake Road South Lyon, MI GOTHS MISSION STATEMENT: The Society s purpose is to bring together those people interested in history, particularly the history of Green Oak Township, and to promote a better understanding and appreciation of our American heritage.

2 Thank you to these LIFE members for their support! Marieanna Bair Brighton District Library Jackie Chenoweth Leo and Sandra Chouinard Margaret Collins Geraldine Emigh Anna Ernst James and Rhonda Fackert Charles Fellows John and Janice Field Lauri French Bruce and Judy Gamble Harry and Mary Griffith Fred and Sandy Hanert Stephen and Marilyn Harrington David Huck James and Terrie Hudnut Ester Jarvis Donald and Dawn Jones Erlah Lambert Earl and Rosemary LaFave Ron and Jill Morey Ruth Munzel Saundra Peavyhouse Jan and Loretta Plas Helen Read Pamela Rietsch David and Beverly Rorabacher Ron Siegel Edith Sporer N.S. and Susan Sridharan Richard and Jean Tymoc Ann Vallie Lorry H. Wagner Craig and Kristen Hannahs Wagner Alan Weamer Chris and JoAnn Williams Thank you: Society Notes Green Oak Charter Township for their continued support of the Society which includes mowing the grass, raking and removing the leaves, cleaning out the gutters, plowing the snow, salting the parking lot, and checking the heat tapes on the museum roof. This list is not complete, but their assistance is greatly appreciated. Richard Everett, Green Oak Charter Township Trustee for installing a thermostat, and the new faucets in the bathrooms. (The Society purchased these items.) Mary Janssen, Erlah Lambert, Maris Wallag, Marieanna Bair, and Marilyn Harrington for continuing to work on cleaning, archiving, and creating displays. Updates: The Society enjoyed the holiday meal at Bar None in December. Thank you to all who attended. The Society is in need of a combination printer, copier and scanner. One can be purchased for about $ If you could donate toward the purchase, it would be appreciated. The SocieTy S historic 1856 Hall with warming Kitchen is available for rent. Call SELCRA: or info@selcra.com 2

3 RECOGNITION OF MAJOR DONORS TO GOTHS: Gifting Categories recognize donors to the Historic Township Hall Renovation - Restoration Fund. Contributions to the Fund are cumulative. Platinum $25,000 Gold $10,000 Silver $ 5,000 Honorees and Memorials have been established to recognize donations made in the name of another person. Plaque in the 1856 Hall will display the names of those making donations over $1,000. Paver will be inscribed with your name if you donate over $ 500. There are tax benefits for gifts to GOTHS. The Society is a 501 (C) (3) organization. Please contact, the Society s treasurer or use the donation form on the last page of this newsletter. David Huck at (248) or david.huck@charter.net Platinum Donors: Green Oak Charter Township Gold Donors: Silver Donors: Dick & Connie Cowan of Mason Jim & Rhonda Fackert of Green Oak Steve & Patti Gronow of Brighton Bronze Donors: Bert & Marieanna Bair of Brighton Graco Foundation in honor of Anna Ernst of Green Oak Gransden Enterprises Inc. of Green Oak Green Oak Gutter Inc. of South Lyon Steve and Marilyn Harrington of Northfield Dave and Gail Huck of Green Oak Erlah Lambert of Green Oak Lumber Liquidators of Redford Bronze $2,500 Copper $1,000 Pewter $ 500 Cleo Moran of Ann Arbor Chris and JoAnn Williams of Green Oak Copper Donors: J.R. and Virginia Asher of Green Oak Duncan Disposal of Green Oak John & Janice Field of Green Oak Mary Janssen of Green Oak George & Vivian Kane of Green Oak Donna Martin In Memory of Bud of Green Oak Masonic Lodge 247 of Brighton Margaret Williams Lanning and Lou Lanning of Green Oak Ruth Munzel of Green Oak Norm & Anne Nebozenko of Green Oak Angie Nelson of Lyon Twp. Ore Creek Jewelers of Brighton Pewter Donors: Beverly Chiasson of Lyon Twp. Rose Cook Bruce and Judy Gamble George & Sidonia DeAngelis of Green Oak Fred & Sandy Hanert of Green Oak Verne and Agnes Hoshal Gerry Macks of Green Oak McNabb Carpet of Milford Ray and Cindy Morianti of Green Oak William Palmer of Green Oak Phoenix Players at the 1856 Historic Hall Jan & Loretta Plas of Green Oak Stuart & Elisabeth Schluckebier of Brighton N. S. Sridharan of Bloomfield Hills Whitmore Lake Rod & Gun Club *Recognition of Major Donors will only appear in the first issue of the Green Oak Historian each year. (David Huck, the Treasurer works very hard at keeping track of each person s donations.) THESE DONATIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED. 3

4 Green Oak Township Historical Society silver Lake Road south Lyon, MI Will Present the following Programs this year: Amelia Earhart in Michigan Presented by Al and David Eicher Tuesday, July 17, :00M Snacks and Desserts will be served. Green Oak Day This is our joint celebration with Green Oak Charter Township, Green Oak Police Dept. and Green Oak Fire Dept. The date has not been established at this time. What Cha Call It Annual Meeting Sunday, October 28, :00 PM Bring a Dish to Share (The Society will provide plates, cups, silverware, coffee, tea.) Holiday luncheon December 9, 2018 Place to be Determined. Bring an old item or two and share it with the members. If you don t know what it is maybe our members can identify it. 4

5 Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority (SELCRA) is offering these Free Senior Seminars at the Society s Hall. Registration is required as space is limited. Please visit and search keyword from specific program to register or call Cheryl Royster at to register by phone. January 24th. 12:30-2pm. Legacy Notebook - How to create an ethical will and a legacy notebook. This seminar shows you how to share your personal values, blessing's and life lessons with future generations while also expressing your gratitude. This is a heartfelt expression of what truly matters most in your life and serves as a way to pass on more than just money. Location: Green Oak Township Historical Society Silver Lake Rd, about a mile off of US23 at Silver Lake Rd in South Lyon. Call Cheryl to register, February 21 st. 12:30-2pm Village Travelers Join us and travel thru the fun-filled trips Village Travelers (a custom tour company) have planned for Lois Gibbons will answer any questions you have in regards to traveling with a group, and offer tips for success. Location: Green Oak Township Historical Society Silver Lake Rd, about a mile off of US23 at Silver Lake Rd in South Lyon. Call Cheryl to register, March 21 st. 12:30-2pm Route 66 Lost & Found Join us for a virtual tour of Route 66 thru the eyes of Rick Thomas, Open Road Productions. This program covers the story of Route 66, its origins, history, unique features, personalities, and the demise and rebirth of America s Main Street in today s pop culture. Location: Green Oak Township Historical Society Silver Lake Rd, about a mile off of US23 at Silver Lake Rd in South Lyon. Call Cheryl to register, April 18 th. 12:30-2pm Introduction to Archery Join SELCRA s level 2 Instructors and learn the basics of archery. Equipment will be provided. This program is outside so please dress for the weather. Location: Green Oak Township Historical Society Silver Lake Rd, about a mile off of US23 at Silver Lake Rd in South Lyon. Call Cheryl to register,

6 Green Oak Township Historical Society Garage Sale June 1st thru 16th, 2018 On Monday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30 several Society members work on Archives, creating displays, organizing materials, and other activities. Please call Marilyn Harrington at if you would be able to help. At the Historic 1856 Hall Silver Lake Rd. South Lyon, Mi Accepting donations: May 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, & 31st and throughout the sale. The Society is selling Rada Knives and products. Contact Antoinette T Shelvey, the Vice- President at for more information. Contact: Antoinette T Shelvey at or tshelvey@att.net to volunteer, arrange for pick-up of large items, or arrange drop-off of items at times other than those listed above. GOTHS is a 501 (c) (3) organization therefore all donations are tax deductible. This is our fund-raiser for restoration and operation costs for the 1856 Hall and Museum. We are sorry we cannot accept clothing, computers, or TV s, but radios, shoes, and linens are fine. SUPPORT THESE BUSINESSES: Big PDQ For all your printing needs (810) Costco 6700 Whitmore Lake Road. Brighton Green Oak Golf Carts (248) Green Oak Gutter (248) greenoakgutter.com GFL Environmental gflusa.com (844) Green Oak Tire Inc. (248) Kensington Rd Brighton, MI greenoaktire.com Hungry Howie s Flavored Crust Pizza (734) Whitmore Lake Rd. Whitmore Lake, MI

7 Green Oak Station (Continued from the September/October 2017 Green Oak Historian) About the time Alonzo Olds was making the move to Section 11, Warren Parker had invested in 240 acres to the east in Sections 11 (1832) and Section 1 (1849). Warren, and his wife, Sarah, and children Mary b. 1841, Warren b. 1845, Harriet b. 1847, Sarah b. 1850, and Alice E. b had a house east of the railroad on Silver Lake Road. A responsible citizen, Warren served as the first school inspector in 1835 and also 1838 and He held other offices: 1851, Justice of the Peace and in 1853, Highway Commissioner. The Parker daughters soon found employment at Green Oak Station. The Olds House, corner of Ruston/Silver Lake Roads, became the Green Oak Inn and later the Parker House. Before long 65 miners from the gravel pits were having meals at the Parker House. Daughter Sarah, had a general store and was the Post Master of Green Oak Station until July 16, When she began working in the Parker House the Post Office was moved there. By 1870, the Detroit, Lansing and Northern Railroad crossed Silver Lake Road less than a half mile east of Rushton Road. Green Oak Station now included an elevator the owner of which, L.H. Cogswell, contracted with farmers to grow 100 acres of navy beans. He also built a freight house. Green Oak Station was growing. Gravel beds had been discovered in Section 12, by 1875; in the area of Silver Lake Road/Kensington Road. The Greenville Gravel Company from Ohio purchased hundreds of acres in Sections 1, 2, 10, 11 and 12 and soon began mining. Railroad tracks were laid into the gravel pits. The story goes that Grand Boulevard in Detroit was being developed and that much of the gravel was used there. Gravel mining continued well into the 20 th century. By 1917, gravel miners patronized a barber shop in Green Oak Station. A number of small gravel mining companies were formed. In 1927, investors bought these small companies, resulting in the formation of American Aggregates Corporation of Greenville, Ohio. It was a major employer in the township for many years. Through the years the railroad changed hands. In 1915, it is titled Pere Marquette Railroad. By 1954 and 1966, the Chesapeake and 7 Ohio name is used. Most recently it s CSX Railroad. Prior to these events Alonzo Olds son Robert and Warren Parker s daughter Harriet were married, September 22, Even though there was opportunity to meet others, it seems logical that neighbor was attracted to neighbor. Warren, Sarah and daughters, Mary, Sarah, and Alice are interred in the Green Oak Plains Cemetery on Maltby Road. (Compiled by Marieanna Bair from: Yesteryears of Green Oak by the Historical Society; clippings; censuses; plat maps; Early Landowners... by Milton Charboneau; Cemetery transcription by John and Janet Field; Society Archives. Additions/ corrections requested ) Robert Olds House (Green Oak Inn) Silver Lake/Rushton Roads

8 Green Oak Township Historical Society 1856 Historic Township Hall Silver Lake Road South Lyon, MI Return Service Requested Non- Profit U.S. Postage Paid South Lyon, MI Permit No. 64 Check your mailing label. Dues have not been paid if it doesn t say Life or Please use the form below and mail it to the Society. The Green Oak Township Historical Society relies on the participation of its members and the generosity of its patrons. If you would like to renew your membership, donate, or become a member please use this form. Mail form to: Green Oak Twp. Historical Society Silver Lake Road. South Lyon, MI Name Phone Address City State Zip Membership: $2 Student $15 Individual $25 Family $50 Patron $50 Business/Professional $350 Life Donation: $10 $25 $50 $100 Other The Green Oak Twp. Historical Society is a 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Organization. All donations are tax deductible. 8