Sometimes reading about history really isn’t enough. Sure you know what people were supposed to have done and said, but there is nothing like a live performance to really bring the message home. True, none of us can really know exactly how things went in the past, but we can make very informed and educated guesses. There is nothing wrong with applying a little imagination to history, as long as you don’t stray too far.

Tomorrow, the Macomb Cultural Center will present a dramatization to give you a glimpse into the lives of Austin Blair and Sara Louise Ford, his third wife. Blair was a lawyer, congressman and he governed Michigan while the Civil War was raging. Blair was very much against slavery and very pro-Union.

You will have two chances to see this program tomorrow, at 11am and at 1pm. Carl and Trish Moss, the actors who will portray Mr. and Mrs. Blair will also be on hand to repeat the performance on April 5 at 11 am, in case you miss this go round.

Macomb Cultural Center
44575 Garfield Road,
Clinton Township, MI 48038-1139
Phone: 586.445.7348

Europe is known for its famous baths, many of which were constructed during the days of the Roman Empire. There is even a city in England called Bath. People flocked to Bath to take advantage of its natural hot springs both for enjoyment and for health. It was thought that the waters from the natural hot springs had healing properties.

Well, we have our area that was known for its baths right in Michigan. At one time Mount Clemens drew visitors from all over the world. People near and far came to relax and recooperate in the mineral baths. Mount Clemens' debut as a resort town happened by accident. The original commerce plan was to make Mount Clemens a salt-producing city. Things didn't go as planned because the costs to separate the salt proved to be too high.

One innovative mill operator took a dip in the water. The water was warm and bathing in the mineral-rich water proved to be much more enjoyable than attempting to extract its salt. Entrepreurial-minded citizens pulled together to open the Original Bath House. They saw their plans come to fruition in 1873 and 30 years later there were nine bathhouses and more than 30 hotels in Mount Clemens.

To learn more about Mount Clemens' past and Macomb County history visit the Macomb County government website.

The Roseville Historical and Genealogical Society will be hosting “The History of Detroit Streets,” a presentation by Stewart McMillin. This will be at the March 20th meeting at Erin Auditorium, in the Roseville Public Library in Macomb County on Kelly, one block south of Common Road, west of Gratiot and the Police Station, at 7 pm.

Roseville Public Library

(Macomb County)

29777 Gratiot Ave.

Roseville, MI 48066

Ripples

In Memory of Kolleen Roberts

By Ralph RobertsA rainy day on Lake St. Clair,

I watch the rain splash down upon the water,

Each drop disappearing in the surface, forming ripples,

Undulating rings expanding out across the lake.

Each droplet squeezed from mysterious clouds,

Some natural phenomenon I never understood—

County Seat: Mt. ClemensOrigin of Name: Named for General Alexander Macomb, an officer in the War of 1812Set Off: 1818Organized: 1818

Population in 1990: 717,400

By Mary Bailey / The Detroit News

Local history and legend is seen all over the map of Detroit, in the name of streets and buildings. Most of the street names are biographical in their importance, for in them are found the names of the earlier settlers, farmers, merchants, mayors, and statesmen of long ago. Some of the names of the earliest streets of Detroit are obscure in origin, but most will tell their own story of the founders and builders of Detroit.

One of Macomb County's most recognizable sites.

The Macomb Co. Historical Commission was commissioned in November of 2003 and charter members included Don Green, Karl Mark Pall, Ray Glime, Marian Lynch, Alan Naldrett, Debra Obrecht, Betty Slinde, Philis DeSaele, and William Dechavez. Part of the mission of the historical commission of Macomb County has been to preserve the history of the area, another part has been to increase awareness of local history as well as assist in the location and preservation of historical resources of the area.

In 1901, two cannons were dedicated and placed on pedestals in downtown Mt. Clemens. They were dedicated to honor those who fought in the War of 1812 and the Civil War. The cannons stayed until 1942 when they were donated to a scrap drive for the World War II war effort. Since then, the empty pedestals have remained.

Reuben R. Smith, of Ray Township, died April 27, 1866, aged sixty-nine years.

Mrs. Mary Matthews died May 5, 1866, aged seventy-one years.

Mrs. Mercy A. Giddings died November 22, 1866, aged fifty-two years.

Stephen Giles, of Ray, died suddenly March 18, 1867.

Dr. Benjamin Sutherland died at his home in Ray Township, January 31, 1867, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. He was born in Rutland County, Vt., June 1810. He studied medicine at Lewiston, N.Y., came to Michigan in 1836, and settled near Romeo.