MARKET PLACE

It’s great that Albion native Dave Eddy can again be heard on radio here on the new 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek whose signal reaches into Albion. Daves long 51-year career began in Albion at the old WALM in 1956, and his current 6 to 9 am. talk program there in BC has been a popular one for many years.

Coming up this Saturday, October 6 will be the 1st annual Amaizing Corn Harvest Festival here in Albion. This agricultural theme festival is sure to become a highlight here in town. Bring the whole family and participate in the many activities that will be happening. This Festival will stretch from the Market Place, through Rieger Park, and through Victory Park. Yours truly will have his history booth in the Market Place, and will include those special collectible Corn Harvest Festival pins--only 300 were made.

The Market Place was once the location where hundreds of farmers brought their produce and goods to be weighed, processed, and sold. The nearby water-powered flour mills made it convenient for area farmers for many years. Developed in the early 20th century, produce is still sold here during the summer months under the name of Albion’s Farmers Market.

Regarding Albion’s rich agricultural background, it is mentioned in all the historic descriptions of our community. For example, the 1863-64 Michigan State Gazeteer stated “One of the largest flouring mills in the state (the Albion Stone Mill, Jesse Crowell, proprietor) which turns out an average of 25,000 bbls of flour annually, is located here. The total amount of flour shipped from this point, for the year ending July 1, 1862, was 50,000 bbls; wheat, 20,000 bushels; wool, 200,000 lbs, fruit (apples, peaches and pears) 20,000 bushels.”

From our Historical Notebook this week we present a postcard ca. 1907 of the Market Place entitled Farmers Sheds, showing the sheds in the distance. In the foreground is a horse watering trough. In front is the raceway of the Commonwealth Power Company which flowed from the electric generating plant above. Make plans now to attend the Amaizing Corn Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 6.

	Frank Passic — Albion Historian An Albion native and 1971 graduate of Albion High School, Frank Passic has been researching and writing Albion history since 1976. He is the creator of the Albion Historical Notebook, with hundreds of articles appearing weekly in the Morning Star and The Recorder. Frank maintains an extensive personal archive including Riverside Cemetery records, family surname files, genealogies, photographs, city directories, and high school yearbooks. Support his 2026 research at the Historic Albion Michigan Facebook page. Historical Notebook \| From the Archives \| Subject List \| 100 Years Ago \| Alphabetical Index \| Frank Passic Home Page \| Albion History Books \| Contact Frank
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