Laura - 2004-09-23 15:35:19
I just noticed the absence of Ford Lake--wow.* * * * * * * * * * * *
That's really interesting, thanks for posting it. Where did you get the map?* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-23 15:56:45
Glad you enjoy it tom. Well, I am very lucky--in my office there's a framed photo of the entire map. I have a passion for old maps. I received it from a friend in the Saline Historical Society. The photo is much reduced, of course--the original map is gigantic. There's an original copy in the Clements Library, and I bet the U-M Map Library has one too.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-23 16:33:09
Is it me, or was the course of the Huron totally different?
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Vince Prygoski - 2004-09-23 16:44:47I was reading a book on the history of Ann Arbor not long ago that had an old map (1850-something) that had something I never thought I'd see on a map of Ann Arbor. There was the University of Michigan campus, which at the time was just the "Diag" area of today. On this map, it was labeled as, of all things... "Michigan State University!" At the time, the institution in East Lansing either had not been founded yet, or if it did exist was still Michigan Agricultural College. Still, it was strange to see that name on an Ann Arbor map!* * * * * * * * * * * * lynne - 2004-09-23 19:04:33
Your map made me have a "duh-moment" I looked at it and thought that it was weird that Ford Lake wasnt there. I sat there for a couple of minutes looking at the map and scratching my head before it hit me. duh!* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-23 20:21:08
Yes, it's quite amazing, isn't it? I got a whole pile of maps for my birthday--I never tire of looking at (preferably old) maps.* * * * * * * * * * * * Phil - 2004-09-23 22:48:16
I live on Ford Lake so if you ever come accross historical information on the Lake or River please let me know? I have actually considered doing a website for the Lake too. I love this stuff. I may overlay the old river bed onto the Lake and see what it looks like?* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-23 23:24:50
Dear Phil: thanks for visiting and reading. If I ever come across Ford Lake I will post it here. Hope to see you again. The historical audience for historical posts is small yet passionate.
If you overlay the riverbeds, I'd love to see your results; please feel free to post them.* * * * * * * * * * * *
eric - 2004-09-24 11:22:15now i'm not positive,but i believe that ford lake was man made at some point as a mill pond* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-24 11:24:45
Really? That's interesting. Eric, do you know what sort of mill it was? Was it at the south end of Ford Lake? I'm guessing it had something to do with the various Ford industries...?* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-09-24 12:22:03
Ford Lake is man-made. The dams downriver created it. The power station at Bridge Road continues to produce electricity. Henry Ford was involved with the projects. There even was a dam at Waterworks Park around the Ford Factory.
Bella Vista Farms had orchards and pastures in the former flats along the Huron where the lake is now. The Dairy Mart at the end of Huron where Huron River Drive branches off is about the last vestige of Bella Vista. Oh, and I have a stamped BVF bottle in the kitchen window...* * * * * * * * * * * * eric - 2004-09-24 14:29:27
hi raymond is the bvf bottle of great value to you ? i collect antique bottles... maybe arrange a sale ? or a swap ? eric* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-24 14:30:52
Wow, that's a cool hobby. Do you know about the Huron Valley Bottle & Insulator club?--I'm sure you do.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-09-24 15:45:13
I have only a few bottles. I'd like to hang on to them. (Hmmm, everything is around here somewhere. Under something else?) In addition to the pint milk bottle, I see also a Bella Vista juice bottle and a T.C. Owen mineral salts bottle (with salt). My pal Brian's mother gave me a t-shirt that reads: "I'm not a Pack Rat, I'm a Collector." Of course, it's not true. I am a pack rat.
I heard that a few buildings were submerged at the village of French Landing when the dams flooded the flats below Bridge Road.
I'll keep a watch out for more bottles for you, though, eric.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-24 15:53:20
Yes, I will too--at sales and such; you never know.
Funny T-shirt legend. Things do seem to pile up.* * * * * * * * * * * * add your comment: