Not all was running smoothly at Sibley's Quarry
"Good limestone is as necessary as salt itself to the manufacture of soda ash and caustic soda, and the old Sibley Quarries in Trenton have become an essential part of the outfit."
DETROIT JOURNAL ARTICLE
March 18, 1899
The first major industrial accident since the blow-up at Eureka Iron Works occurred at the Sibley Quarry in January, 1900. A total of 1 1/4 tons of TNT exploded, killing Nelson Burbeau, who was transporting the dynamite, in a blast ruled accidental. The resulting shock blast, according to the news article, was felt "over most of Wayne County... People ran out of stores and dwellings... Plainly felt in Detroit, 17 miles north, and an equal distance to the east in Canada... Windows in all of the buildings were broken. (Three hundred) panes of glass had to be replaced in the quarry buildings alone."
The total loss to the quarry was $2,000. The accident happened at the northwest corner of the quarry, near present-day Fort Street & Sibley Road.
Interurban system progress continued to be made in southeast Michigan, as the Toledo-Monroe line would be in service by 1901, while all operating lines were united January 12, 1901.
The total loss to the quarry was $2,000. The accident happened at the northwest corner of the quarry, near present-day Fort Street & Sibley Road.
Interurban system progress continued to be made in southeast Michigan, as the Toledo-Monroe line would be in service by 1901, while all operating lines were united January 12, 1901.
City pioneer Bishop did not desire the "spoils" that came with success
In Wyandotte, a resolution was created by the town aldermen in February 1901 to rename Superior Avenue as "Bishop Avenue" in honor of Jerome H. Bishop and his philantrophies. It was seemingly approved with no difficulty. One month later, however, the measure was rescinded, 4-2, in a heated discussion.
Alderman Baisley spearheaded the name change issue and wanted the change to stand, saying politics played a role in a decision reversal. The first ward aldermen, however, told Baisley they were not consulted about the matter prior to the original vote. A petition was produced with 25 signatures demanding the name be restored to Superior. Alderman Kiley hotly attacked the petition, saying signatures were mis-represented. For the record, Mr. Bishop had earlier stated he did not want his name attached to a street; his goal was to contribute to the library's good-working order, and that if any place needed his name, it would be the library. Aldermen Gorman, Liddle, Lorenz and Welch were in favor of Superior; Baisley and Kiley were against.
The same issue of the Wyandotte Herald challenged a Detroit Journal report that Pennsalt Chemical was poised to build a $9 million plant "in the area below Wyandotte." The firm would state to the Herald that it would indeed be open by springtime, but the "magnitude of the business may not reach figures mentioned."
In many editions of the Wyandotte Herald from this timeframe, by the way, there are mentions (and assumptions) that much of the area was afflicted with the Grip disease. Through research, the name of the afflication may actually be "Grippe," which is a form of influenza.
Alderman Baisley spearheaded the name change issue and wanted the change to stand, saying politics played a role in a decision reversal. The first ward aldermen, however, told Baisley they were not consulted about the matter prior to the original vote. A petition was produced with 25 signatures demanding the name be restored to Superior. Alderman Kiley hotly attacked the petition, saying signatures were mis-represented. For the record, Mr. Bishop had earlier stated he did not want his name attached to a street; his goal was to contribute to the library's good-working order, and that if any place needed his name, it would be the library. Aldermen Gorman, Liddle, Lorenz and Welch were in favor of Superior; Baisley and Kiley were against.
The same issue of the Wyandotte Herald challenged a Detroit Journal report that Pennsalt Chemical was poised to build a $9 million plant "in the area below Wyandotte." The firm would state to the Herald that it would indeed be open by springtime, but the "magnitude of the business may not reach figures mentioned."
In many editions of the Wyandotte Herald from this timeframe, by the way, there are mentions (and assumptions) that much of the area was afflicted with the Grip disease. Through research, the name of the afflication may actually be "Grippe," which is a form of influenza.
Petition drive seeks to divide Ecorse Township into three separate townships
By mid-1901, a Township Division bill was on its way to Lansing, by way of Ari E. Woodward to a Representative Martindale. Thirty businesspeople and citizens signed a petition to divide Ecorse Township into three pieces. The northern half would continue as Ecorse Township, while the southern portion would be named Ford Township, and the middle portion Salliotte Township. This middle territory had gone so far as to choose who would represent the township government, with names such as Salliotte, Champagne, Krause, Goodell, LeBlanc and Bloom to be chosen.
According to the news article, "Pro-Divisionists have all of the Republican hustlers" in favor of the proposal, which Ari Woodward had every confidence would pass. It was also mentioned that a "carload" of citizens would go to Lansing to urge passage of the bill (the actual mode of transportation was not mentioned; remember that this was two years before the introduction of the Model T).
Later that year, the village of Grandport underwent a name change, becoming the village of Ecorse in 1901. They would, of course, continue to be run independent of Ecorse Township. At the time, the area was considered by many Detroit travelers as a resort community, billed as the "Little Venice of the West End." In 1902, the village of Ford City (currently the northern part of Wyandotte) was officially organized. It was named for J.B. Ford, who operated the Michigan Alkali Company.
According to the news article, "Pro-Divisionists have all of the Republican hustlers" in favor of the proposal, which Ari Woodward had every confidence would pass. It was also mentioned that a "carload" of citizens would go to Lansing to urge passage of the bill (the actual mode of transportation was not mentioned; remember that this was two years before the introduction of the Model T).
Later that year, the village of Grandport underwent a name change, becoming the village of Ecorse in 1901. They would, of course, continue to be run independent of Ecorse Township. At the time, the area was considered by many Detroit travelers as a resort community, billed as the "Little Venice of the West End." In 1902, the village of Ford City (currently the northern part of Wyandotte) was officially organized. It was named for J.B. Ford, who operated the Michigan Alkali Company.
Transportation begins to dot the landscape, led by Bois Blanc Island
No less than seven small ferries (not including "Francis the Whale's" watercraft service launched in 1820) had helped bring visitors to Bois Blanc Park. However, a gem would emerge from the Wyandotte shipyards in 1902: the Columbia began an 89-year run on the Detroit waters, greatly increasing passenger capacity and convenience.
In the area of the Sibley Quarry, which was rapidly gaining employees, came the future signs of a village, which began with the opening of its own Post Office in 1903.
The interurban system was officially completed by the unveiling of the Detroit-Toledo & Short Line in 1904; it was operated by Detroit United Railways.
In the area of the Sibley Quarry, which was rapidly gaining employees, came the future signs of a village, which began with the opening of its own Post Office in 1903.
The interurban system was officially completed by the unveiling of the Detroit-Toledo & Short Line in 1904; it was operated by Detroit United Railways.
One of the main cornerstones of the evolving Bois Blanc amusement park arrived in 1906 from Coney Island, New York. William F. Mangels would design a carousel and pipe organ for use at the park, while Marcus Charles Illions designed and hand-carved the 48 animals and two chariots in 1878. For many people, this addition gave Bois Blanc its first real identity.