Chronological History 1941 - 1954

1941    -- BRIDGMAN GOES TO WAR

 

Here’s some statistics: After war broke out, seven Bridgman boys went to Detroit to take the examination for the Naval Aviation Cadet Corps. Out of a group of 42 taking the exam, only seven of them passed and they were all from Bridgman. Several more boys joined the Army Air Corps, making a total of 12 pilots from Bridgman. Bridgman had 208 personnel on active duty at the close of the war. Eight men had been killed. There were15 nurses in the service and five more were taking training when the war ended. There were 40 commissioned officers ranging up to Brig. General, and eighty non-coms. Many of them were highly decorated for their service. None ever received a dishonorable discharge, and none ever refused to be drafted. Quite remarkable for a tiny Michigan community that, at the time, graduated only about 25 students per year from its high school. (Editor’s note: Much of the foregoing information was gleaned from the autobiography of Frederick C. Reed, Superintendent of Bridgman Public Schools, 1921-1951)

 

1945-46    -  Bridgman High School, Wins Class “C” Basketball State Championship.

 

1949    May 19  --  Bridgman makes plans to become a city, 150 citizens take preliminary steps to

                             change government.

          Sept. 13 --  261 votes were cast to see whether Bridgman should become a city. Out of the 261,

                             200 voted yes, 59 voted no, and 2 void.

                             A nine-man charter commission was elected:

                

                             Mead Beacraft

                             G.W.R. Baldwin

                             Russel Jennings

                             James Harris

                             Carl Bruener

                             Robert Gittersonke

                             Fred C. Reed

                             Harry Liskey

                             Chalmers Ackerman

 

          Dec. 22  -  Bridgman becomes a city.

 

1950      

U.S. Ground Forces land in Korea June 28.

Bridgman’s only casualty of Korean War – 2nd Lt. David Burwell killed in action Sept. 23.

1951  

Frederick C. Reed retires as Superintendent of Schools after 30 years of distinguished service.

1952   

Club Twenty was new name for the Junior Womens Club, formed on May 28. They followed

the format of the Senior Womens Club Group.

 

1953

Roy Rankin and Ray Ambler were awarded life membership to the Bridgman American

Legion Post 331 for long service to the organization.

 

Nylen Manufacturing Company considers site one mile south of city limits.

 

Bridgman organizations concerned about careless drivers speeding in the city. Legion Post 331 commander Frank Snyder urges drivers to cooperate in new child safety program.

 

Bridgman Theater to feature mountain lions Jerry and Lodi owned and trained by Ben Magavern at Navajo Post. The movie was entitled “Sequoia.”

 

Free movies at Bridgman Theater sponsored by the Bridgman Chamber of Commerce. Matinee and evening performances. Do your Christmas shopping and then stop off at the Bridgman Theater for a first run movie December 20-21-22-23 and also see Santa Claus.

 

Billman’s Flower Shop receives national praise for unusual way of advertising. They send out advertising on blotters with the telephone bills.

 

1954 

“Mogambo” showing at Bridgman Theater with Clark Gable and Ava Gardner January 22, 23, 24.

 

Olivet Congregational Church rebuilt from shell of old church with a new furnace installed also.

 

Reck Motor Sales, Inc. opened in the former Charles Reck Chevrolet Garage and were selling Chrysler and Plymouth. The buildings were extensively remodeled.

 

Memorial services were held for Lonnie Hora who died of polio at age 15.

 

Wright’s Style Shop has opening sales for womens apparel  -  shoes $3.90 a pair and leather and suede purses $2.70 each. Owned by Harley Wright.

 

New clothing store opens called Bridgman Clothing Center for men and boys.

 

Nylen Products, Inc. will open soon on U.S. 12.

 

Gemar Store opens on U.S. 12 and Lake Street featuring home made candies.

 

Mrs. Agnes Minturn, High School Home Economics teacher, awarded scholorship from Red Cross chapter. This scholorship will qualify her to teach home nursing to the high school students.

 

Bridgman Womens Club won “State Club of the Year.”

 

Ollie Metcalf opens “The Bee Hive” formerly Brady’s Coffee Shop.

 

Emil Machan sells barber shop to Adolf Ruff. Mr. Machan was in the barber shop since 1927. Located on Lake Street.

 

Mac’s Drive-Inn opens on U.S. 12. They also have the M & E Motel right along side of the Drive-In.

 

Rev. Harold A. Ott acceps call to missions for Central and South America. He was pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church for 12 years.

 

Blossom Shop opens on U.S. 12 across from Wildwood Estates. Owned by Barbara Fleming.

 

Gaul’s General Repair Shop located three miles north of Bridgman stop light. With ten years experience, Leo Gaul will be well qualified.

 

Pastor Theodore Stolp accepts call to Bridgman Immanuel Lutheran Church in September.

 

Three flasher lights purchased to be placed on posts near high school and Lutheran School cautioning drivers to slow down because of school crossings.

 

Arthur Kretlow will give dancing lessons sponsored by American Legion Post for local children.

 

Bridgman Appliance Center opens November 26. Purchased by Edward Gast. Frank Snyder will be manager.

 

Roy Anderson retires from DX Service Station on corner of Lake Street and U.S. 12. Hehas been in business 27 years. Will continue Greyhound and South Shore Bus station office on Lake Street.