Chronological History of Bridgman through 1929

(Editor’s note: The Sociology Class at Bridgman High School compiled a chronological history of the Berrien County & Bridgman-Lake Township Area (1800 to !949) as part of an Educational and Community survey conducted in 1949. Irving Cutler was the teacher and the following students helped in its production:  Harold D’Agostino, James Jasper, Wanda Johns, Henry Kading, James Kostka, Miriam Magavern, Joseph Rambo, Martha Rutkowske, Emily Svorec, Shirly Svorec, Donna Welch, Maynord White.

 

Marilyn Roth, Head Librarian of the Bridgman Public Library, compiled the period of 1950 through 1975.

 

The following historical time-line (1856 to 1956) borrows heavily from that manuscript, and the editors of this book wish to thank the original authors).

 

1856 – George Bridgman, Warren Howe and Charles F. Howe formed the Charlotte lumber Company in Lake Township and built a large steam saw-mill in section 19, at a cost of $20,000 with a railway to the lake, and several branches into the timber, in all about 7 miles of track. Thirty-three cars, 70 men employed and a locomotive, the “John Bull.”

 

Settlement around the mill named Charlotteville after the company and in honor of Mr. Howe’s wife, Charlotte. The main street then was what is now Baldwin Road. The schoolhouse stood on the location now occupied by Bridgman Psychological Services.

 

1860 – Abraham Lincoln elected President.

 

1861 - Post Office established with the name of Laketon, but 10 years later the name was changed to Bridgman.

 

The Civil War begins.

 

1863 – The Charlotte Lumber Company was destroyed by fire; two other mills were erected on the same site and shared the same fate.

 

1865 – Lincoln Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.

 

The Civil War ends.

 

1868 – Peach trees destroyed by the “yellows.”

 

1869 – George Bridgman grants right-of-way through his land to the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore R.R. In exchange for this, Rail Road Co. agrees to erect & maintain depot.

 

1870 – Village near future depot site laid out and recorded by George Bridgman.

 

Feb. 2 – Grand celebration at St. Joseph in honor of the completion of the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore R.R. between New Buffalo and St. Joseph.

 

1871    -- 

Rail Road Company completes construction of the depot and assigns it the name “Bridgman.”

 

Post Office designation changed from Laketon to Bridgman. Charlotteville fades due to depletion of timber and defunct saw-mill. Eventually some Charlotteville buildings, including the Odd Fellows Hall, are moved a half mile east to Bridgman.

 

Red glow can be seen across the lake at night – The Great Chicago Fire.

 

1873 – Bridgman’s Business Directory:

Isaac Hathaway – Supervisor of Lake Township.

Thomas F. Doker – Carpenter, joiner and contractor.

George Maisner – Proprietor of Mineral Springs House.

Traver and Seeker – Dealers in drugs, medical oil, paints, varnish, dry stuffs, etc.

C. F. Seeker – Surgeon and Physician, all calls attended to promptly, day or night.

Oliver P. Miller – Justice of the Peace for Lake Township.

L. Kiefer – General Blacksmith.

C.M. Smith – Dealers in Groceries.

Dr. S. Maudlin – Medical Advisor.

 

1879 – Congregational Church organized.

 

1881 – Year of the Big Blizzard.

 

1888 – Ozro Baldwinadvertises raspberry plants in Farm Journal.

 

1889 – Ozro Baldwin sends out several hundred folders quoting prices on various fruit plants – the beginning of Bridgman’s nursery industry.

 

1890 – A.R. Weston and C.E. Whitten start in the nursery business. Mr. Weston dies soon after and his nephew, F.L. Ackerman, inherits the Weston Nursery.

 

1893 – Chicago and West Michigan R.R. local train makes all stops between St. Joseph and New Buffalo except Harbert and Union Pier, where it stops only when flagged.

 

1894 – County Seat moves from Berrien Springs to St. Joseph.

 

1905 – Value of Berrien County fruit crop $2,000,000.

 

1920      Feb. 20 - New High School proposed.

Mar. 11 – Area Boy Scouts organized.

Apr. 4 – Businessmen club organized.

Apr. 7 – Canning Company ready to build.

Apr. 8 – Booster Club organized.

Jun. 24 – New foundry now running.

Aug. 26 – George C. Bridgman Jr. for Sheriff.

Dec. 23 – Local fire squad being organized. Bridgman newspaper started.

 

1921      Jan. 6 – Small fire at school.

Feb. 24 –Consolidation of rural schools.

Aug. 11 – New theater under way.

 

1922      Mar. 22 – New  Broom Factory for Bridgman, A.F. Thiels owner.

May 31 – Chicago Advertising Council visited.

Jun. 7 – Three nurseries consolidate, O.A.D. Baldwin, C.E. Whitten & Son and A.R. Weston.

              Silver Fox farm – new industry.

Jul. 26 – O.A.D. Baldwin home scene of big fire, $22,000 loss.

 

1927      Jan. --  New road to connect Tower Hill with U.S. 12.

Jun. --  Work starts on Knaak Building.

 

1928      – Four-lane highway passes through Bridgman.

Mar. 28 – Bridgman High School is Class D State Champions of Basketball.

 

1929   Feb. 7 -- $43,000 worth of High School Bonds sold at interestof 4 ½ % and premium of                                                                                  

                          $181.00. Grand Rapids Trust Company wins bid to build new addition to school over         

                          10 other companies.

           Mar. 7 – Mathieu & Sons Foundry to build 60 X 240 addition on north end of present plant.

           Mar. 21 – Chauncey & Baldwin sell business to G.A. Zick.

            Jul. 3 – First talking pictures in theater.

           Jul. 28 – Judge George W. Bridgman dies at 85.

           Aug. 15 – Bridgman votes to have waterworks.

           Nov. 21 – Bridgman Women’s Club organized.