Historical Notebook

By Frank Passic
THE HISTORY OF ALBION MICHIGAN

Frank Passic This is the web version of the writings of Frank Passic, including the weekly columns that appear in the Morning Star Shopper, Albion Recorder, The Mich-Matist, and other articles Mr. Passic has written in various publications about Albion history. Even the most casual of readers will find these articles educational, more than a little interesting, and often amusing.

An Albion native, Frank Passic is a 1971 graduate of Albion High School and has been writing Albion history articles since 1976.

NEWEST BOOK: Did you know that Cascarelli's used to be a fruit stand? Did you know that Albion College once had numerous fraternity and sorority houses that dotted the campus? Did you know that the Great Flood of 1908 wiped out numerous downtown Albion businesses? Did you know about the sheep massacre by two Albion dogs in 1913? These and other postcard photographs are featured in Albion Historian Frank Passic's brand new book, Albion, part of the Postcard History Series published by Arcadia Press... 230 historical Albion postcards, including two of Maggie LaNoue's own artistic creations!

Annual Riverside Cemetery Tour On a Sunday afternoon in October for many years Frank would conduct a guided tour of Albion's Riverside Cemetery. Program guides for these tours are always available from Frank. These tours required quite a bit of time to put together and attendance in even the poorest of weather was always strong. Alas, they have been discontinued.

Albion In Review. 128-page soft cover coil-bound book features a variety of over 215 Albion postcards, photographs, and memorabilia, including several panoramic group photographs of the 1920s. This pictorial covers over 150 years of Albion people, places, and events. Copies of the book are available from the author, or at the Albion Chamber of Commerce. Read more details and view the index on our special promotional page.

Growing Up in Albion is a 128-page pictorial book focusing on the 1950s and 1960s in Albion. This book is designed for the "baby boomer" generation which grew up during these special years when Albion was booming. "Growing Up in Albion" features over 240 photographs of people, places, and events, some of which were never published before. Many of the photographs come from original black and white negatives of the old Albion Evening Recorder newspaper. Chapter titles: Around Town; Businesses; Industries; Schools; Recreation and Sports. Read more about it here.

Also Frank's book Albion in the 20th Century, published by Arcadia, has an internet based companion index. Be sure to take a look at all of Frank's Albion History Books And Calhoun County Resource Materials, as well as some numismatic items Frank has for sale.

He has an extensive collection of Albion history archives, including Riverside Cemetery records and obituaries, family surname files, genealogies, photographs, city directories, high school yearbooks, Calhoun county plat maps, history books and other materials which he uses to help people research their Albion roots. He is always looking for various materials to add to the collection.

Feel free to contact Frank with your questions or comments by way of the New Albion Michigan History Blog anytime, he enjoys finding out more about Albion History, and sharing it.

We present here some of his best writings. This material consists of reproductions of articles written by Frank Passic that originally appeared in various publications. They will be added to on an ongoing basis.


Albion Historical Notebook As seen in the Morning Star
Albion 100 Years Ago Published monthly in the Morning Star
From the Archives As seen in the Albion Recorder
Lithuanian Culture Articles from the Balzekas Lithuanian Museum Review and more
Subject List Articles arranged by topic
Special Features Scuba Diving in Lime Lake
New Scuba Diving Trail
Trail Access to Lime Lake
The Kalamazoo River in Albion
Health Care Facilities in Albion
Around the World with Gwen Dew
Albion Bank Scandal
Numismatic Articles From various publications
Genealogical Articles 1940 Census Enumerator Ethel Lowen
Naturalization Records
Ship Passenger Arrival Records
US Census Records

Here is an index for the contents of this collection.


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  The Albion Historical Notebook is sponsored by Robin B. James
 in loving memory of his parents, 
Coy Hilton James and Aurelia DeBuchananne James.

Copyright, 2023 © all rights reserved. Frank Passic.


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This page was last updated at 9:01 AM 1/1/2023