The electric car, possibly 100 years ahead of its time, debuts Downriver
Downriver history more or less proves that electric vehicles are not necessarily a new technology, although they were obviously in the early planning stages and had plenty of room for trial and error. For Austin Church, who came to the area in the late 1800s from New York and had a hand in running the newly developed Sibley Quarry, developed an unnamed electric vehicle in 1912. No photos or other vital information is available for this prototype, which could obtain a maximum speed of 30 MPH, and could travel between 70 and 90 miles on a charge. Mr. Church claimed that it was the first car equipped with "two-speed planetary transmission." It is not known how many of these vehicles were produced, although it is known it was discontinued by 1914. It is also known that Mr. Church's wife drove a coupe of that model for several years in the area.
Finally, a more logical way for traffic to shuttle onto Downriver's oldest community
The island of Grosse Ile was immediately made more accessible to those driving the automobile: the toll bridge was opened to traffic in 1913. Prior to this, the only direct route had been the rail line crossing at the spot of the present-day "Free Bridge", a line which had been deactivated at the start of the century.
By 1913, dancing had become so popular at Bois Blanc amusement park, that an additional dance pavilion was constructed. Upon its completion it would become one of the top five largest dance pavilions in the country.
By 1913, dancing had become so popular at Bois Blanc amusement park, that an additional dance pavilion was constructed. Upon its completion it would become one of the top five largest dance pavilions in the country.
The first step toward today's modern-day highway system is born with the Trunkline
On May 13, 1913, the State Trunkline (transportation) system was formulated. Despite the Interurban system (which had the two local routes) running smoothly, the needs for more efficient, faster transportation was on the mind of state planners. The first major route designation Downriver was Division 1, running from Toledo to Detroit, a forerunner of today's Telegraph Road. Since the May 1913 formation of the Michigan State Trunkline system, Division 1 from Toledo to Detroit was up and running, though it took until 1919 for maps to finally list the route. It would be renamed M-10 in its initial stage.
Activities at Frederick Sibley's quarry continued to increase to the point that the Village of Sibley was officially formed in 1915.
Activities at Frederick Sibley's quarry continued to increase to the point that the Village of Sibley was officially formed in 1915.
Wyandotte "knows better," but Michigan approves Prohibition by a large margin
Looking to quell a burgeoning criminal element occurring behind the scenes, one which didn't limit its shenanigans to the night-time hours, the State of Michigan put forth a ballot issue for the Prohibition of all alcoholic beverages. The vote would take place November 7, 1916, as Section 11, article XVI, in the heat of World War I. This was (unpopularly) titled the Damon Act.
At this time, Wyandotte boasted 26 saloons, or one for every 319 residents of the city. Despite the independent business being generated with a loyal steel company customer base, boosting the local economy, the underworld environment was becoming a scary reality. Gangs from the Detroit and Toledo areas were converging into southeastern Michigan to ply their trades, eventually controlling a good amount of the taverns' beer supply, in addition to setting up territories that divided individual neighborhoods. They also provided gambling and prostitution sources not before seen to such a degree in this area. Those who favored "temperance" (where alcohol was the evil) favored Prohibition, which included churches, schools and various social groups. The saloon owners, especially those who were unaffected by the gang trade to this rate, didn't want the voters to ruin a "good thing," and thought the temperance movement lacked legality.
The actual voting seemed to be mostly window-dressing, however. Even an anti-Prohibition vote by the state would not rule out the proposal across the country. A majority vote of thirty-six states would be needed in order for Prohibition to become law, no matter what each individual state voted on.
At this time, Wyandotte boasted 26 saloons, or one for every 319 residents of the city. Despite the independent business being generated with a loyal steel company customer base, boosting the local economy, the underworld environment was becoming a scary reality. Gangs from the Detroit and Toledo areas were converging into southeastern Michigan to ply their trades, eventually controlling a good amount of the taverns' beer supply, in addition to setting up territories that divided individual neighborhoods. They also provided gambling and prostitution sources not before seen to such a degree in this area. Those who favored "temperance" (where alcohol was the evil) favored Prohibition, which included churches, schools and various social groups. The saloon owners, especially those who were unaffected by the gang trade to this rate, didn't want the voters to ruin a "good thing," and thought the temperance movement lacked legality.
The actual voting seemed to be mostly window-dressing, however. Even an anti-Prohibition vote by the state would not rule out the proposal across the country. A majority vote of thirty-six states would be needed in order for Prohibition to become law, no matter what each individual state voted on.
For the record, the ballot question in Wyandotte failed by a small margin, 952-872. Wayne County also killed the proposal by 7,679 votes. But the overall state of Michigan prevailed, with over 50,000 favorable votes topping the outcome.
As one of the first states to vote on the issue before a national mandate would take effect, Downriver residents had the advantage of more time: to prepare what would become one of the most notorious liquor smuggling routes in the country (known as the Detroit-Toledo Booze Funnel) a time which would end up being a major black eye upon the heritage of the city. About 1919, the Damon Act would be repealed, but with national consequences.
As one of the first states to vote on the issue before a national mandate would take effect, Downriver residents had the advantage of more time: to prepare what would become one of the most notorious liquor smuggling routes in the country (known as the Detroit-Toledo Booze Funnel) a time which would end up being a major black eye upon the heritage of the city. About 1919, the Damon Act would be repealed, but with national consequences.
Canada prepares for a Detroit River bonanza as behavior is "defined" by Congress
Canada had repealed their "dry" law by 1919, knowing full well that they had the possibility of being a high-end supplier of liquor in the United States, should Prohibition pass. U.S. Senator Andrew J. Volstead (R-MN) sponsored the bill, but concerns were raised of the Federal Government regulating controlling human morality. Sen. Volstead's response: "The laws of God, the Ten Commandments, had regulated man's behavior since the Bible was written!"
Named in his honor, the Volstead Act was initially passed by Congress (following the 75%, 36-state majority), then was vetoed by President Woodrow Wilson. Congress would ultimately over-ride that veto on January 16, 1919.
Prohibition indeed would become the law of the land on January 30, 1920, as the Constitution's 18th Amendment.
Named in his honor, the Volstead Act was initially passed by Congress (following the 75%, 36-state majority), then was vetoed by President Woodrow Wilson. Congress would ultimately over-ride that veto on January 16, 1919.
Prohibition indeed would become the law of the land on January 30, 1920, as the Constitution's 18th Amendment.