Chesaning Area Historical Society & Museum

02/17/2026

Water skiing under the bridge (June, 1958).

02/12/2026

Broad Street on a snowy night (circa 1915).

02/10/2026

There is a new article at the Chesaning Argonaut, taking a look at the local news in the village of Chesaning for the month of February, in the year 1878.

Local happenings in the village of Chesaning (and the surrounding area) during the month of February, in the year 1878.

02/05/2026

Shoe rationing check from Babion's Family Shoe Store during World War II.

SHOES ON RATION STARTING TUESDAY

It was illegal to sell shoes today, but on Tuesday rationing will start at the rate of three pairs of shoes a year for each person.

Without any advanced warning, shoe rationing was ordered from the White House by Economic Stabilization Director James F. Byrnes Sunday afternoon.

Almost immediately crowds stormed counters in stores operating on Sundays in such widely-scattered cities as New York, Kansas City, Detroit and Columbus, O. Crowded stores in New Orleans and Detroit were raided by police after the order was issued.

Only house slippers, infants' soft-soled shoes and storm-type rubber wear were exempted from the rationing program. Policemen walking beats and other special cases will receive extra rations.

As for children, who sometimes run through shoes at a dizzy pace, Byrnes said that if parents have unused shoe coupons when rationing periods end they can use them for the youngsters. Also, there will be no limit on repairing or resoling of shoes.

Manufacture of women's evening slippers, spiked shoes, men's patent leather shoes and other "less essential" shoes is forbidden.

The shoe problem resulted from a limited supply of leather, much of which must come over submarine-infested routes from foreign countries. Much is home-grown but the armed services are taking about a third of all sole leather.

The Saginaw News, February 8, 1943.

02/03/2026

This photo was taken at Chesaning High School and is dated July 8, 1920.

Back Row (L to R): George Sackrider (1904-1930), Boyd Bell (1906-1975), David Perrot (1906-1983), Elmer Herrick (1905-1972), Henry Wente (1904-1986), Lloyd Prescott (1890-1965), Gilbert Coke (1905-1974), Harry Lux (1905-1999), Raymon French (1905-1945), E. J. Cowan (1905-1994).

3rd Row (L to R): Helen Schultz, Doris Race (1905-1983), Mildred Croft (1905-1995), Hazel Moe, Lydia Brotzman (1906-2000), Doris Ormes (1906-2005), Thelma Judd (1905-1982), Flossie Hoten (1910-1976), Gertrude Hutton (1906-1968).

2nd Row: Helen Agnew (1907-1989), Rosalind Lepard, Dorothy Race (1905-1928),
Ruth Jeffrey (1906-1992), Charlotte Webb (1906-1955), Eleanor Goetzen (1907-1985), Lita Merrill (1908-1996), ?????, Opal Schultz (1907-1989), Nina Haney (1907-1971).

Front Row (L to R): Maurice Carson, Arthur Herrick, Frederick Cowan (1907-1930),
Raymond Kaiser, Gerald Hutton (1906-1961), Dorr Walker (1907-1944), Clarence Gregg (1906-1985), Arthur Ketchum (1904-1994).

I think I have all the names figured out, expect for one person that I haven't been able to identify. I'm including the back of the photo so you can see if I've made any errors.

01/29/2026

This photo was taken inside the OK Lunch Room at 141 South Saginaw Street in 1954-55. The names listed on the back are Potts Mellentine, Paul Mellentine, Glora Mellentine, and Kicks.

I believe that the couple in front are Gloria Bartz Mellentine (1926-2001) and Paul Mellentine (1923-1984). The oldest kid is presumably Phillip Mellentine (1951-2019), the oldest sone of Paul and Gloria. This would make Potts the man in the background and Kicks the nickname of one of the kids.

Can anyone out there confirm who is who, and does anyone know the proper name of Potts and Kicks?

01/27/2026

The George Nason mansion from the front, showing how it appeared before its conversion into the Heritage House.

01/22/2026

Fishermen spearing fish in the Shiawassee river just below the Morleytown (Gary Road) bridge, circa 1900.

01/20/2026

ICY MEMORIES OF CHESANING MILL - Mrs. Willard Meier, a recent guest at the Bonnymill Inn gave this photograph of the forerunner of the Chesaning Farmers' Coop mill to inn owner Bonnie Ebenhoeh. The Inn stands where the mill once did and incorporates some elements of the old structure in its design. Mrs. Meier of Grand Ledge explained that her father, Clarence Croel, was manager of the mill from 1920 to 1924 in the days when the long wait at the mill was endured by both man and beast.

Tri-County Citizen, August 19, 1991.

01/15/2026

Chamber of Commerce and Community Club joint reception for teachers at Chesaning High School. September 29, 1925.

01/13/2026

Lumber wagons on Broad Street, at the corner of Broad and Saginaw streets (circa 1918). Most of the men pictured standing on the wagons were members of the same extended family from the New Lothrop area.

From Left to right are Claude Conklin (1894-1920), Jay Richmond (1892-1978), Chester Conklin (1884-1957), Homer Jacobs (1878-1961), Ray Jacobs (1889-1973), Pearl Jacobs (1887-1935), a man from Chesaning, Amidon, Floyd Cantley (1885-1959).

01/08/2026

Ramsdill's barber shop, circa 1925. The barber shop was located in the Hotel Central, at the corner of Broad and Front streets. The barbers are Miles Ramsdill (1885-1957) and Rus Barnes (1902-1991).