Castle Blog

“Twenty-eight years ago the increasing need of a new parish in the southern portion of the city, resulted in the formation of SS. Peter and Paul Church, and the erection in 1888 of a substantial brick edifice on the corner of Wyne and Fayette Street.” -James C. Mills, History of Saginaw County Michigan, published 1918. 1888 SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church designed by F.W. Hollister As Saginaw City and East Saginaw became great lumbering centers in the second half of the

“In the Spring of 1884 the church building with all its contents was destroyed by fire; and upon this site rose the stately edifice which, with its several additions, has filled the needs of the congregation for more than thirty years.” -James C. Mills, History of Saginaw County, Michigan, 1918. Today known as First United Methodist Church of Saginaw, the Methodist congregation of Saginaw City was officially founded in 1851, 175 years ago. In 1854, the congregation purchase

As soon as it opened in October 1859, the Bancroft House became a hub of business and social life in East Saginaw--of course, food served in its dining rooms was key to its success and reputation. The original hotel was demolished in 1915, but the following year, a new building was dedicated. It provided space for a number of public dining options. The most visible was a café: “On the Genesee Avenue front is the elegantly appointed cafe opening on the corridor which leads f

This week, our recipe is from the Kochville Methodist Church Jubilee Cookbook , where it is simply identified as being “Grandma Marti’s Apple Jonathan.” Although today the identification may seem vague and imprecise, in 1925 Kochville Township, the identity of Grandma Marti would have been obvious – it was likely you were a relative. If you weren’t related, a friend or neighbor would have been. Kochville Methodist Church While there is more than one option for Grandma Marti

“Hayden’s Easter Offerings; No store in Saginaw can be compared with Hayden’s from the standpoint of cleanliness (both clerks and stock). Quality (we handle only the good and pure). Service (endeavoring to be prompt, obliging and careful), prices (always the lowest consistent with quality, unqualifying refusing to handle ‘seconds,’ ‘off brands,’ etc., etc.) ABSOLUTE SATISFACTION GUARANTEED." -The Saginaw Evening News, April 17, 1908. 1901 Sanborn Map-The Hayden Grocery wa

“The camping season at Higgins Lake has opened, and many Saginaw people are prepairing [sic] to leave for that popular resort. Mrs. C.W. Ellis again has charge of the dining hall at Lake side [sic] camp. Mrs. James Hay and family, Mrs. M.N. Brady and daughter, and G Geo. F. Williams were among the first arrivals. Maj. N.S. Wood and family will leave in a few days for the Lake.” - The Evening News , July 13, 1892. While the spelling of “prepairing” in this 1892 article may b

Last year, we received a donation of archival material – an intriguing and enigmatic mixture of photographs and documents. As we studied and pondered, we realized this diverse collection opened a window into the life of Eleanor Richardson Gage, a woman of whose accomplishments–we are embarrassed to say–we were unaware. For an eloquent summary of her life, we turn to an article published at the time of her passing: “Long, Fruitful Life Ends for Eleanor Richardson Gage Mrs. El

“I really should go down in history and I won’t dare tell it while I am still around. A full page ought to be devoted somewhere, sometime to the woman who stayed home to run a broken-down washing machine when she could have been making a very private social call on the President’s wife. Here’s how it happened.” -A letter from Mrs. Kenneth A. Lord to her mother and father, dated November 22, 1936. K.A. Lord home Last summer we featured a glimpse into the lives of Emily Pack

“The Holidays have been marked by many teas, outstanding among them the one that took place Saturday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Grace Sample McClure, 1415 South Jefferson, where the Saginaw chapter of the American Association of University Women entertained many Saginaw young women home from their respective colleges and universities.” - The Saginaw News , December 31, 1939. Born in 1881, Grace Sample was the daughter of Emma Leeke and Dr. Chester H. Sample – her childhoo