Edwardsburg became an incorporated village 100 ago in 1912.
Villages in Michigan are organized primarily to establish regulatory ordinances and to provide services such as fire and police protection, public works and utilities. The village writes its own charter and under law is able to borrow money and tax property within its boundaries.
So in 1912, after many meetings, much discussion and several votes, Edwardsburg became an official village. A community celebration will be held on Sept. 1 in Gunn Park with a picnic and cook out to commemorate this great occasion.
But what was happening 100 years ago when Edwardsburg was becoming official? Pay close attention to these facts; there may be a test some day!
The U.S. president was William Howard Taft and New Mexico was admitted as the 47th state and Arizona as the 48th. The Girl Scouts of USA was founded.
The mayor of Tokyo gave the US 3,000 cherry blossom trees to be planted in Washington D. C.
The Titanic left Southampton, England, bound for New York, and you know the rest of that story.
Tiger Stadium and Fenway Park opened. The Boston Red Sox won the World Series by defeating the New York Giants in extra innings.
Several Republicans left the party and formed the Progressive Party, later known as the Bull Moose Party, and its nominee was Theodore Roosevelt. The Republican Party chose William Howard Taft as its candidate, who defeated Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt, while campaigning in Milwaukee, Wis., was shot by a saloonkeeper and suffered a flesh wound. He was there to make a speech, and with the wound, he delivered the scheduled speech and then went to the hospital.
Vice President James Sherman died in office just days prior to the election. At the election, Woodrow Wilson was elected president.
Unemployment was at 4.6 percent and the cost of a first class stamp was two cents. The first U.S. airmail stamp was issued. 1912 was a leap year. The Dixie Cup was invented. The Beverly Hills Hotel opened and the Olympic Games opened in Stockholm, Sweden.
The territory of Alaska is organized. Edgar Rice Burroughs published the ”Tarzan of the Apes.”
Standard Oil Company opened the first gasoline station in Cincinnati, Ohio. Up to that time, gasoline was purchased from hardware stores and sometimes lumber yards.
In Edwardsburg, B. C. Fisk who had his drugstore on the corner of Main and Cass streets, sold Special Crown for 12 cents a gallon.
By 1913, Edwardsburg residents owned 26 automobiles: the Brush, Cadillac, Overland, Ford, RCK and other makes.
Yes, 100 years have passed and many changes have taken place. But thanks to the early residents, Edwardsburg is still here and still growing.
Show our pride in your little village and come to the 100-year celebration on Sept. 1. There just might be a test!