1879
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January 24, 1879
The ice harvest has commenced here. The ice is not so thick as desirable, but the experience of last winter has Charlevoix people to "Make hay while the sun shines." Ice six inches thick is better than none at all.
Cold? Why bless you, no. All cold weather we experience here is in reading the weather reports from the frigid localities south of us. From all direction come tidings of extreme cold, the thermometers ranging as low as 30 and 40 degrees below zero. In Charlevoix and the Pine Lake Region at no time this winter has the mercury been below nine degrees above zero! Sell out down there and come up north into a milder climate.
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February 7, 1879
The Charlevoix Summer Resort Association are forming a stock company at Kalamazoo for the erection of a hotel on their grounds at this place next spring.
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February 21, 1879
The original name of Lansing was Michigan. The first notice of a change came in a letter written by Alpheus Felch, United States Senator to Washington, to John J. Adams, Attorney General. The letter was dated April 25th, 1848, and contained the following: "The name of your postoffice has been changed by the department to Lansing."
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February 28, 1879
The proposed charter of the village of Charlevoix fixes the date of election of village officers as the second Monday in April.
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The postoffice of Charlevoix, for the week ending last Saturday, issued money orders to the sum of $1,001.86 and cashed orders to the amount of nearly $500. As this is a safe way of judging the business of a place, let us hear from some of your "crack" towns in this region.
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April 11, 1879
The Charlevoix House, situated just north of the bridge, has been leased by D. S. Way for a term of three years, who will repaint, and extensively repair it; and keep a boarding house.
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As we glance upon the white field of ice covering Lake Michigan as far as the eye can reach, there seems little prospect of the opening of navigation under two weeks. The sun is warm, however, and under its rays the ice in the harbor is rapidly disappearing.
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April 25, 1879
The mill of Hon. John Nicholls starts up to-day.
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The Resort Association now numbers 21 members, who have taken lots. It is expected that a dozen cottages will be erected this summer.
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Ten years ago the Sentinel was timidly planted here. Charlevoix then could hardly be call a village, and nothing larger than fish boats were seen in our harbor. A decade of years has elapsed, and Charlevoix has grown to corporate dignities.
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May 30, 1879
The new Sentinel building has been completed and we shall commence moving into our rooms to-morrow.
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The grade of Bridge and Main streets was established last week by Civil Engineer N. E. Brett. The grade of other streets will be established in due time.
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The tug Commodore Nutt will be launched this week. Her upper works are now being built.
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July 18, 1879
The Resort Association now has 32 members and all heads of families.
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We have the pleasure of announcing that, through the efforts of Congressman Hubbell, Charlevoix has been designated as a U. S. Signal Station. Precautionary weather signals will be displayed from the flag staff on the Sentinel building after August 1st.
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SILVER WEDDING-Twenty-five years ago last Friday, in Colingwood, this bashful youth led a blushing maiden to the altar. The quarter of a century has passed over their heads bringing its joys, its vexations, but few sorrows, and at its closing day a party of twelve pioneers of Charlevoix assembled at the residence of M. J. Stockman in this village, and that gentleman and his bride of twenty-five years ago, celebrated the silver anniversary of the event, as Mr. Stockman was one of the first settlers of Charlevoix, it was appropriate that only those should participate whose settlement he was contemporary with. Many a reminiscence of years ago was told, and a right happy time they had of it. May another quarter century pass lightly over their heads.
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August 1, 1879
The Fountain City House register is full of recent arrivals that we gave up in despair in attempting to copy them. The house if full to overflowing.
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Another Residence-Under-Sheriff B. W. Miller has a handsome new residence well under way on the corner of State and Mason streets. What on earth the young man wants of a house, is more than we can tell, but he says his is going to rent it. (?)
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Our visitors say that the only forbidding or unpleasant aspect of Charlevoix is the sand on Bridge St. It is certainly cause for serious complaint, and we think active steps should be taken this summer toward grading and graveling. It is understood that considerable highway work will be expended this summer in grading it, and by a united effort on the part of the citizens it can be made a hard road before the snow flies.
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Sidewalks: It is gratifying to note the fact that the machinery of the village government has so far got into operation that the necessary steps for sidewalk building have been taken. A sidewalk the entire length of Main street, on the South side will be built; also on Clinton street and the west side of State street. A petition went in Saturday evening for a walk on the south side of Mason street. All will be promptly completed.
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August 8, 1879
Grading on Bridge street has commenced.
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Sidewalk building is being pushed forward with vigor.
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Meat at from four to ten cents per pound at McLeod's.
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At the village council on Saturday evening, the committee on fires were instructed to report at the next meeting on the feasibility of organizing a fire department.
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August 15, 1879
I. O. G. T.-The Charlevoix Lodge of Good Templars met on Friday evening last at the new Masonic hall in the Sentinel building where they will continue to hold their meetings. The following new officers were installed:
W. C. T. ..... F. W. Mayne
W. V. T. ..... Miss Celia Nicholls
W. S. ..... W. E. McLennam
W. T. ..... Miss Kate Carpenter
W. F. S. ..... Robert O'Neill
W. F. S. A. ..... Robert O'Neill
W. I. G. ..... Miss Lottie Mason
W. A. S. ..... Miss Mary Whitman
W. O. G. ..... Wm. Horton
W. R. H. S. ..... Miss Alice Carpenter
W. L. H. S. ..... Miss Esther Buttars
W. D. M. ..... Miss Nettie Liscomb
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October 10, 1879
Fire Protection-A call is out for a public meeting to be held Tuesday evening at Town Hall, for the purpose of effecting an organization that may be of some service in the case of fire in this village. Charlevoix has up to this time been fortunate in never having had a fire within her limits, and as a result, our people are really asleep on the subject of that relentless destroyer-fire. Bridge street, especially the east side, is now so closely built that should a fire break out at either end, with a wind in conjunction with the flames, the street would be swept. The Village Council have taken up this matter and enacted an ordinance and appointed an officer whose duty it shall be to direct the means which shall be provided. After an organization is effected, we presume means will be provided for some sort of apparatus.
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October 17, 1879
Two new store buildings going up on Bridge street yet this fall.
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Dr. Lewis has decided to build a store on his lot near the bridge. It will be 22 x 50, with a basement.
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Albert E. Mason will erect a law office on his lot lately purchased of the Beers estate, and commence practice.
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It is reported that a hardware store is soon to be opened in the store building owned by Mr. Francis on Bridge street.
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October 17, 1879
A horse belonging to H. W. Beach, of Banks, fell through the uncompleted approach to the bridge on Wednesday, but fortunately was hurt but little.
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November 21, 1879
Half rate messages are now being sent after business hours from Charlevoix telegraph office.
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A Historical Society is to be organized in Charlevoix.
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Another New Firm-Dr. L. Lewis and John M. Ackert of this village, have formed a partnership and will go into business together in the new store now being built by Dr. Lewis. They will keep drugs, groceries, paints, oils, etc. Dr. Lewis arrived yesterday by City of Concord, and the new goods will soon arrive by the Scow Supply.
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December 5, 1879
HISTORICAL SOCIETY-The first meeting of the Charlevoix Historical Society was held Monday evening the 24th, at the Sentinel editorial room and a permanent organization effected. The Society starts out with a membership of eighteen, and the following are the officers:
President............................... Hon. John S. Dixon
Vice-President....................... R. Cooper
Secretary............................... Willard A. Smith
Treasurer............................... F. W. Mayne
Librarian................................ A. E. Mason
The object of the Society is mutual benefit in the study of history, and to this end the funds of the Society will be principally devoted to the purchase of Historical works. It is the intention of the Society to provide a lecture once in each month, and Hon. J. S. Dixon has been invited to deliver one on the last Monday in December. The admission fee to the association is one dollar.
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