With six weeks of preparation time remaining before Saline’s Summerfest returns to dominate the center of our city, Historical Trolley Tour team members completed first round of orientations for their 2019 circuit. [1,2]
“Last year we covered some of the important landmarks here on the north side,” Summerfest Trolley Committee Chair Bob Lane told =Saline Journal during discussion at the History Museum this morning. [3-5]
We like to alternate that each year. The 2019 ride will cover long stretches of Michigan Avenue through downtown, and Henry Street.
As usual, passengers will board the trolley on the southeast corner of US-12 and Ann Arbor Street. This is also where the ride will conclude; there are no stops this time where passengers might choose to get off the distinctly styled, open air motor coach. [6]
Right away, onboard tour guides — dressed in period costumes and speaking from the perspective of early 1900s residents — will begin telling the many, many stories. Stories seemingly held secret until experienced by visitors who’ll take this journey back into and through time on the one special day of the year when it is offered.
They will start with the first bank in Saline, learn about Union Block (once ravaged by fire), and get a broader context of saloons and inns that made this an attractive venue for stage coach stops in a world before the first railroad came to town. [7,8]
Heading eastward, look forward to learning about the importance of early church plantings and interesting homes as the route turns onto Old Creek Drive, then Henry Street to the west. Most visitors are quite amazed at all that is to be found in this historic district, a mere block off what was once the main “Chicago Road” thoroughfare. [9]
Things turn to even greater serendipity when Monroe Street and Oakwood Cemetery become a part of the journey. Each guide will have a different take and focus on what to see here, of course. But the Annin-Peoples house and original site of founder Orange Risdon’s home are signature landmarks. For even more on this, consider returning to the City of Saline on September 29 for the next Oak Wood Cemetery enactments put on by our Rotary Club. [10-13]
Depending on time of day, volunteers Bob Lane, Alexandra Aikens (of Old National Bank on North Maple Road), or I will serve as guide on the trolley. [14]
Historical Trolley Tour rides are free, so mark your calendar for Saturday, August 10 at =Saline’s Summerfest.
References
- Saline’s Summerfest (home page).
- “Historical Trolley Tour” Saline’s Summerfest.
- “Work Must Go Into Making Saline Historical Trolley Tours Fun For The Guides So That It Will Be Fun For The Riders” Dell Deaton (August 11, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Make Sure Your Dress Is Right Before Stepping Onto The Saline’s Summerfest Trolley For Tour Guide Duty This Year” Janet Deaton (August 2, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “History & Depot Museum” Saline Area Historical Society.
- Tecumseh Trolley & Limousine Service (home page).
- “Citizen’s Bank – Carl Curtiss and Lloyd Fairbanks” University of Michigan MLibrary Image Collections.
- “If You Want To Understand The 1870 Saline Railroad Depot Operation, You Need To Understand Its Timekeepers” Dell Deaton (August 21, 2018) Saline Journal.
- US 12 Heritage Trail (home page).
- “Orange Risdon Family” Agnes L Dikeman (2004) Saline Area Historical Society.
- “You Should Get to Know former Saline Resident Webster Ruckman at Some Point in Your Memorial Day Schedule” Dell Deaton (May 28, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “On September 30 You’ll Learn More Than How Saline Resident Levi Haynes Became Wealthy With Enhanced Farm Crop Yields” Dell Deaton (August 22, 2018) Saline Journal.
- The Rotary Club of Saline (home page).
- Old National Bank (home page).
