|
1620
|
French claim Michigan territory as part of Quebec.
|
|
1776
|
Massachusetts includes area as part of its stake in Michigan.
|
|
1783
|
Great Britain signs treaty releasing their claim to the area.
|
|
1785
|
Northwest Land Ordinance makes area part of Wayne County.
|
|
1812
|
Great Britain claims ownership of Michigan.
|
| 1818 |
Alma area becomes part of
Michilimackinac County. |
| 1819 |
Alma area becomes
part of Oakland County. |
| 1832 |
William McComber of the Northwestern
Fur Company is believed to have traded with the Chippewa in the
area. |
| 1849 |
Chief Machetoquet
dies and is succeeded by his son, Wau-ga-ba-lach. |
| 1854 |
Ralph Ely leads a party of four to the
banks of the Pine River and names the settlement Elyton. |
| |
Ralph Ely builds a saw mill at the
south end of State Street. |
| 1855 |
Gratiot County is
formed by Public Act 16. |
| |
First School is
established with Rachel Kress (later known as Mrs. George Gee) as
the teacher. She is paid $1.00 per week. |
| |
First literary
society called "The Little Pines" is organized. |
| 1856 |
Mr. S.S. Hastings surveyed land around
Elyton. |
| |
The Derwin Ely Family and five other
families move to Elyton. |
| |
July frost kills many crops. |
| 1857 |
Because of poor
crops yields, this area becomes known as "Starving Gratiot". |
| |
Ralph Ely becomes
the first Postmaster. |
| |
Ralph Ely builds a
gristmill. |
| 1858 |
James Gargett plots land. Plot
lists area as Alma. |
| 1866 |
Good Templar's Lodge
is organized. |
| 1867 |
James Gargett builds a flour mill. |
| 1868 |
Piece & Ward
establish a saw mill. |
| 1869 |
Free and Accepted Masons Lodge Number
244 is formed. |
| |
James Gargett establishes a woolen
mill. |
| 1870 |
Pere Marquette
railroad serves Alma to Saginaw. |
| 1871 |
John Montigel opens the Alma Foundry. |
| 1872 |
Alma becomes
incorporated as the Village of Alma. |
| |
Ralph Ely is elected
Village President. |
| |
Population: 425. |
| 1873 |
The Volunteer Bucket Brigade becomes
the first fire department for the village. |
| |
The Brigade used leather buckets, and
rain barrels were the main source of water. |
| |
Baptists and Methodists build first
churches in Alma. |
| |
Ralph Ely is elected to the Michigan
State Senate. |
| 1874 |
On September 3rd,
the first newspaper, "Alma Enterprise", is published. |
| |
Ralph Ely serves as
Auditor General for State of Michigan. |
| 1876 |
James Gargett's house burns. |
| 1877 |
Fire destroys the
Village Hall and all of it's records. |
| |
"Alma Record" starts
publishing newspaper. |
| 1878 |
For the second time, fire destroys the
Village Hall and all of it's records. |
| 1879 |
"Alma Index"
publishes newspaper, M.L. Hart is the owner. |
| 1880 |
W.S. Turck & Company for bank with
$10,000 worth of capital. |
| |
H.A. Delavan builds first brick house. |
| |
The woolen mill and flouring mill burn
down. |
| 1881 |
Alma Roller Mills
built on southwest corner of Pine and Superior. |
| |
Alvin G. Pettit buys
the "Alma Index" and changes the name to "Gratiot County Record". |
| 1882 |
Village sells $5,000 of bonds to
provide water works system including 500 feet of fire hose for the
fire department. |
| |
Nick B. Davison buys the "Gratiot
County Record" and calls it "The Alma Record". |
| 1883 |
James and Mary Kress
of Pine River Township and Ammi Wright of Saratoga Springs, New York
donate Wright Park to Village of Alma. |
| |
Under Marcus
Pollasky's leadership, the first hook and ladder company is formed. |
| |
Ralph Ely dies. |
| |
Wright Hotel opens
on the northwest corner of State Street and Superior. |
| 1884 |
Ammi Wright arrives in Alma. |
| |
For $650, the Village purchases a
Babcock hook and ladder truck for the fire department. Men pull the
truck. |
| |
1st Congregational Church builds brick
church for $4,000. |
| 1885 |
Union School (later
known as Washington School) was built on the corner of Court and
Superior for $16,000. |
| |
When the 1st
Congregational Church went out of existence, Presbyterians purchase
1st Congregational Church. |
| |
Miss C.M. Fleming
buys the "Alma Record". |
| 1886 |
Alma College founded. Alma
College received 30 acres of land donated by Ammi Wright and $50,000
from Alexander Folsom of Bay City. |
| |
In a special election, the Village
votes on the establishment of water works. Ayes had 66 votes. Nays
had 6 votes. Village sells $5,000 worth of bonds for the water
system. |
| |
Charles F. Brown purchases the "Alma
Record". |
| 1887 |
Alma College begins
classes with 95 students and 9 faculty members. |
| |
Episcopal Church is
built. |
| |
Pollasky Block is
built. |
| |
Order of Eastern
Star is organized. |
| |
Special election to
issue bonds in the amount of $10,000 for public improvements passes
183 to 13. |
| |
Ammi Wright builds
the Alma Sanitarium. |
| 1888 |
Ammi Wright starts construction of his
stone house on State Street. |
| |
Alma Business Mens Association agrees
to share credit information of customers. |
| |
Chemical Automatic Gas Company of
Detroit proposes to install "Chemical Gas" street lights downtown. |
| 1889 |
George Washington
Pulfrey builds Arcada Hotel. |
| |
Alma Public Schools
have 485 students enrolled of a possible 545 school aged children.
Average daily attendance is 376. The district has 9 employed
teachers. |
| |
The Village adopts
ordinance to prohibit encroachments in the public right-of-way. |
| 1890 |
By a vote of 130 to 22, the citizens
of Alma approve the sale of $6,000 of bonds to be matched with
$4,000 in private funds to construct public improvements to attract
a manufacturing company to the Village. |
| 1894 |
Ammi Wright builds
Saravilla as a wedding present for his daughter. |
| |
Toledo Ann Arbor and
Northern Michigan railroad begins service from Alma to Owosso. |
| 1900 |
Montcalm County Telephone is merged
with Union Telephone. Main office is to remain in Alma. Service is
extended to Clare. |
| |
Village hires a dog warden. |
| |
Village votes to pay firefighters.
Firefighters receive $25 per year plus $.25 per call and $.50 per
hour. |
| |
New York Governor Teddy Roosevelt
campaigns in Alma. |
| 1901 |
First State Bank of
Alma absorbs W.S. Turck & Company. |
| |
Board of Commerce
(later known as the Chamber of Commerce) is formed. |
| |
The Tinker & Hannah
planning, mill. sash, door and blind factory burns down. It was the
biggest fire yet in Alma. Ammi Wright owned the factory. The plant
is rebuilt. |
| |
Village council bans
slot machines. |
| |
Bivins and Rhodes
Drug Store opens on the corner of State Street and Superior. |
| |
Alma Sanitarium
opens first Alma area golf course. Season tickets cost $5. |
| 1902 |
Election to bond $12,000 to purchase
grounds and build Village hall passed 279 to 44. |
| |
City Hall and Fire Department built on
the corner of Superior and Gratiot. |
| 1903 |
Horses are used to
pull fire equipment. |
| |
Alma College begins
intercollegiate baseball. |
| |
Charles C. Brown
buys the "Alma Record". |
| 1904 |
A sewer trunk line is built in the
northern part of the Village. It is called the "Young Line" after
Village President George S. Young. |
| |
The "Alma Journal" buys the "Alma
Record". |
| 1905 |
Village of Alma
becomes the City of Alma. |
| |
With $100,000 of
capital stock, Central Michigan Produce Company begins processing
milk. |
| |
The Pollasky sewer
line constructed in the southern part of the city. |
| 1906 |
City installs a modern magnetic fire
alarm system. City is divided into 35 fire districts. |
| |
Michigan Sugar Company buys Alma Sugar
Company. |
| 1907 |
Ladies Civic
Improvement League promotes idea of public reading room. |
| 1908 |
City begins weekly garbage collection
service. |
| |
Proposal to sell $18,000 in bonds for
public improvements is defeated by a vote of 234 to 350. |
| |
Gratiot County votes to ban the sale
of liquor in the county. City resides voted to support the ban with
a vote of 354 to 338. The 1st ward in Alma and the 4th ward in St.
Louis were the only two precincts voting to oppose the ban |
| 1909 |
Ladies Civic
Improvement League opens the Alma Reading Room on State Street. |
| |
Under Michigan
Constitution, women are allowed to vote on bonding questions. |
| 1910 |
Ammi Wright donates the Alma
Sanitarium to the Michigan Masons for the Michigan Masonic Home. The
original Michigan Masonic Home, which had been located in East Grand
Rapids, was destroyed by fire. |
| |
Little Giant Hay Press Company begins
to manufacture hay balers. Later, the company makes balers for waste
paper. |
| |
Libby, McNeil and Libby open canning
plant. |
| 1911 |
Alma School District
votes to issue $65,000 of bonds to build a new high school. |
| |
June 8: Hail storm
strikes. Michigan Sugar had 3,000 panes of glass broken. Alma
College had 300 broken windows. Largest recorded hailstone measured
13 inches in diameter. Reports of sheep, pig and turkey fatalities.
Many roofs and windows destroyed. Greenhouse at nursery is
destroyed. |
| |
City Commission
allows schools to use City Hall for kindergarten. |
| |
City sells $30,000
in bonds to pave portions of Superior, State, Center, Woodworth,
Gratiot and to replace wooden water main on Superior with cast iron.
Property owners will be assessed 85% of costs. The City will pay 15%
of costs. |
| |
Commission pays
Civic League $15/week for sprinkling main streets. The team is to
work with the City team. |
| |
Sidewalk to cemetery
is constructed. |
| |
Alma Sugar has 350
men on it's payroll. |
| |
Streetlights are
installed. |
| 1912 |
Alma High School is built on the
corner of Downie and Pine. |
| |
Ammi Wright creates the Alma
Manufacturing Company to produce McVickers engines. |
| |
At age 90 years and 10 months, Ammi
Wright passes away. |
| |
By 430 yes votes to 396 no votes, the
City sells $30,000 in bonds to pave Superior from Gratiot to Park
and State from Downing to Center. |
| 1913 |
Alma Reading Room
moves to the Townsend Flower Shop on Woodworth Avenue. |
| |
The University of
Michigan accredits Alma Public Schools. |
| |
Swift and Company
purchases Central Michigan Produce. |
| |
Floyd Barlow, "The
Birdman", flies and airplane to Alma. |
| |
The Sugar Bowl
opens. It is later known as the "European Cafe". It is now known as
the "Main Cafe" |
| |
Woman Suffrage.
Amendment defeated in Alma 273 to 332 |
| |
County Road millage
passed in City 312 to 113 |
| |
Gas Franchise to
Wagner Brothers passed 590 to 38 |
| 1914 |
Republic Truck Company is founded. |
| |
City Commission authorizes “signs to
be posted on main streets relative to fast driving of automobiles”.
City speed limit is 15 miles per hour. |
| |
Alma, St. Louis and Pine Rive Township
agree to improve “diagonal road” between Alma and St. Louis as
requested by merchants. |
| 1915 |
Republic Truck
introduces a 3-ton truck. |
| |
Pollasky Block has a
major fire. Union Telephone exchange and switchboard damaged by
fire. New telephone exchange is ordered from Chicago. |
| |
First State Bank
builds on West Superior. |
| |
Superior Street
Bridge is rebuilt. Wooden planks are replaced with 7-inch steel
joints laid lengthwise covered with 3 inches of creosote followed by
2 layers of tarred planks topped with 2 inches of creosote and
finally a half-inch of sand and tar. Bid price: $1,250. |
| |
"Alma Record" buys
linotype machine. |
| |
Board of Trade
raises $35,000 to build new building for Republic Truck. Other
cities also bid for plant. New 35,000-foot facility is built. Board
of Trade circulate petition to remit Republic Truck property taxes
for ten-years. The City Commission approves petition request. |
| |
Duncan Murdock forms
the Salvation Army post in Alma. |
| 1916 |
St. Mary's Church is built. |
| |
Charles C. Brown buys the "Alma
Record" back. |
| 1917 |
The Alma Reading
Room becomes the Free Reading Room operating as a true circulating
library. |
| |
For $1,000, the City
purchases a Republic Truck with a chemical tank and hose bed for the
fire department. |
| |
Libby, McNeil and
Libby expand into pickles. |
| 1918 |
City Commission appoints charter
commission to study revisions to city charter. The charter
commissioners were James W. Robinson, Herbert A. Montague, James E.
Mitchell, Albert P. Cook, Lester A. Sharp, Jotham Allen, Frank E.
Pollasky, John Ewing, and William Bahlke. |
| 1919 |
Republic Truck
donates a 550-gallon pumper fire truck to the City for Christmas. |
| |
Republic School is
built. |
| |
City buys typewriter
and adding machine. |
| |
City adopts City
Manager form of government. |
| |
H.S. Babcock and
John Grosskopf buy the "Alma Record". |
| 1920 |
Library moves to the Alma City Hall
with new furniture and shelving provided by the Civic Improvement
League and the City of Alma. |
| 1921 |
City Commission
adopts day light savings time on recommendation of the Republic
Motor Truck Company. |
| |
City constructs a
one million gallon water reservoir. |
| |
River water
contaminates water mains. |
| |
National Guard
Calvary unit is formed in Alma. Guard leases Wright Horse Barn. |
| |
East Superior is
paved. |
| |
New water well is
drilled 520 feet to water. |
| 1922 |
City assumes complete responsibility
for the library. Miss Lucy Alverson was hired as the first
librarian. |
| |
City commission votes to allow area
farmers to use Alma Public Library. |
| 1926 |
After a fire in
their Onaway plant, Lobdell Emory Manufacturing Company moves to
Alma and makes wooden steering wheels, bicycle rims and folding
chairs. |
| 1927 |
Stillwell Junior High School and
Wright Avenue School are built. |
| |
Water shortage eased with installation
of new pumps at well. |
| |
City Commission adopts ordinance to
regulate and control traffic. |
| |
City Manager and City Commission meet
with State Department of Conservation to discuss alternative to
dumping raw sewage into Pine River |
| |
Sidewalks are built on Ely. |
| |
City Manager uses pie charts in budget
presentation. |
| 1928 |
Republic Truck
manufactures a line of busses. |
| |
Alma Roller Mill
discontinues use of water power and installs electric motors. |
| |
Indoor plumbing is
installed in City Hall. |
| |
City declares war on
rats. |
| |
City Manager form of
government is challenged. The proposal to return to aldermanic form
of government is defeated 852 to 555. |
| |
City Commission
adopts uniform electrical wiring code. |
| |
Wright Memorial
Bridge (Superior Ave. over the Pine River) is constructed. |
| |
US-27 from Alma to
Shepherd is paved. The paved surface is 20 feet wide. |
| |
New Post Office is
built in Alma. |
| 1929 |
Michigan Masonic Home begins
construction of new facility. |
| 1931 |
The new facility at
the Michigan Masonic Home begins housing residents. |
| 1932 |
Redman Trailer Company starts
manufacturing mobile homes. |
| |
Republic Truck closes it's doors. |
| 1934 |
Wastewater treatment
plant is built on Washington Avenue with one clarifier, a digester,
2 sludge-drying beds and a lab building. |
| |
Mid West Refinery on
the east side of Bridge Street south of the Pine River begins
operating. |
| 1936 |
City moves library to the Pearly Smith
residence on West Superior. |
| |
Leonard Refinery begins operation in
Alma. Headquarters are on a 23.5 acre lot. |
| |
Alma Trailer Company buys LaFrance-Republic. |
| 1938 |
Voters approve city
share of WPA project to rebuild State Street Bridge and Dam. |
| |
Voters oppose a ban
on the employment of women to serve intoxicating beverages in
restaurants and taverns. |
| |
Rhodes Drug Store is
renamed Douds Drugs. |
| |
John Samuel Morgan
starts the "Alma Reminder" on January 18, 1938 with a mimeograph. |
| 1940 |
Several service and civic clubs meet
to discuss community center proposal. |
| |
Police force is reduced from 6
officers to 4 officers. |
| 1941 |
Alma College Chapel
dedicated. |
| |
November 13 City
Commission receives request from US government for list of capital
projects for when war in Europe is over. Union Telephone limits work
to repair only. No new phone lines due to war in Europe. |
| |
December 9 City
Commission votes aid to oil refineries and other industries to
protect premises. Water plant workers are deputized, and armed.
Manager directed to have fence constructed around water pump
stations. Firemen are to be trained in explosive bomb handling. City
invites St. Louis, Ithaca and Breckenridge to attend training. City
to buy 400 pounds of candy for Santa Claus to give to children. |
| |
December 16 City
Commission requests Federal waiver from amateur radio ban for use in
emergencies. |
| |
December 23 Fence
authorized for wastewater treatment plant. City to use Library Trust
Fund monies to purchase defense bonds. Post Office to curtail hours,
add locks and guards to doors. |
| |
Alma Iron and Metal
burns. |
| 1942 |
Giant Super Market buys cavalry barn
and converts it into a grocery store. |
| |
Alma College adjusts college schedule
to speed up educational process to get men with liberal arts degrees
into armed services sooner. |
| |
Teachers in charge of sugar rationing. |
| |
City and industry concerned about air
defenses. |
| 1943 |
Alma airport is
constructed on Bridge Street north of the Pine River. |
| |
"Alma Reminder" is
closed while Morgan served in the Air Force. |
| 1945 |
Alma Products Company is founded. |
| 1947 |
State Street Bridge
and Dam are rebuilt. |
| |
"Alma Reminder"
resumes. |
| 1949 |
Gratiot County United Health and
Welfare Fund starts raising money. |
| 1951 |
Planning Commission
is established. |
| |
City buys two-way
radio for Police Department. |
| |
Consumers Power
moves into new facilities on Wright Avenue. |
| 1952 |
Alma Sugar Company closed. |
| |
The Townships of Arcada, Pine River,
Seville and Sumner join with the City to form the Rural Urban Fire
Board. |
| |
Hillcrest School is built. |
| |
Plane spotters are still in force
after ten years. |
| 1953 |
Washington School
demolished. |
| |
May 21, 1953 is
declared "Alma Day" at the Oil Exposition in Tulsa, OK. |
| |
The Jerry Tyler
Student Center is opened. |
| |
Gratiot Community
Hospital buys property on Warwick Drive. |
| |
Leonard Refinery
becomes the first refinery in the world to offer high-octane
gasoline: 96-octane. |
| |
Mary Bahlke wills
her house the Alma Public Library. |
| |
School Board and
City sign lease agreement to use the former Washington School site
for a swimming pool and community center. |
| |
St. Louis, Michigan
is no longer a toll call. |
| 1954 |
Alma hosts the Michigan Fireman's
Association annual meeting. |
| 1955 |
Gratiot Community
Hospital is built. |
| |
Alma Public Library
moves to William Bahlke residence on State Street. |
| |
City Commission
authorizes plans for a community center and swimming pool. |
| |
Reid-Knox
Administration Building is constructed at Alma College. |
| 1956 |
Wright Hotel is torn down. |
| 1957 |
First State Bank of
Alma and Alma State Bank merge to form Bank of Alma. |
| 1959 |
Wastewater plant adds new control
building; clarifier and two sludge-drying beds. Lab building is
demolished. |
| 1960 |
Strand Theater
burns. |
| |
City buys parking
lot on Woodworth north of Superior to Downie Street. |
| |
Direct Distance
Dialing comes to Alma. |
| |
Alma adopts the
slogan, "Alma Means Business". |
| 1961 |
Giant Super Market builds store on the
Pine River. |
| |
Water well problems causes water
shortage problem. City loses one third of water capacity. City
begins water study. Recommendation is to build water filtration
plant using river water as water source. |
| |
City Clerk and City Treasurer
positions are combined. |
| |
City begins to create permanent files
for the Assessor's Office. |
| 1962 |
Voters approve the
sale of $1.2 million of bonds for new water plant 543 to 200. |
| |
By a 3 to 2 vote,
the City Commissioner allows taverns to extend their hours past
12:00 midnight to 2:00 a.m. |
| |
Police Department
gets direct phone line. Previously, calls to the Police Department
had to go through the City Hall switchboard. |
| |
Alma Public Schools
donates land for the public library. |
| |
Downtown Alma street
lights are changed to modern, more efficient Mercury vapor lamps. |
| |
Over 300 American
Elm trees are struck with Dutch Elm Disease. The City begins removal
of diseased trees. |
| |
Gratiot County
United Health and Welfare Fund is incorporated. |
| 1963 |
Alma Public Library is built at 351
Court St. |
| |
Water plant construction starts. |
| |
Luce Road School votes to annex to
Alma Public Schools 103 to 94. |
| |
City Commission urges Olympic
Committee to select Detroit for 1968 Summer Olympics. |
| |
Lobdell-Emery announces a 66,000
square foot addition to it's facility. |
| 1965 |
Water Filtration
Plant is operational. |
| |
FAA approval is
granted for Gratiot Community Airport. Funding is to be shared
between the Federal government ($279,000), the State of Michigan
($122,000), Gratiot County ($100,000) and the City ($85,000). |
| |
City adopts the
State Uniform Chart of Accounts for it's financial records. |
| |
Peace Lutheran
Church is dedicated. |
| |
April 8 voters
approve the sale of bonds for a bridge on Bridge Street 1027 to 293.
Voters say no to a bridge on Pine Avenue south of Center 653 to 621:
60% yes required. |
| |
Automotive Club of
Michigan recommends that Alma adopt a one-way street system. |
| 1968 |
The first Alma Highland Festival takes
place. |
| |
Panax buys the "Alma Record". |
| 1969 |
Old Main at Alma
College burns down. |
| |
Robert Anthony is
the first recipient of the Order of the Tartan Award from the
Chamber of Commerce. |
| 1970 |
New Alma High School opens at 1500
Pine Street. |
| |
Masonic Home workers strike for 292
days. |
| |
Last taxicab company closes business. |
| |
City adopts readiness to serve charge
for it's water and sewer customers. |
| |
Alma and St. Louis are ordered by the
state to upgrade their wastewater treatment plants. |
| |
Leonard Refinery merges with Total
Petroleum. |
| 1971 |
Alma Housing
Commission is created by the City Commission. |
| |
Alma Police buy
their first radar gun. |
| |
Alma Public Schools
take over operation and administration of the Community Center.
School levies one mill for recreation. |
| |
Alma Middle School
is renovated and an addition is built. |
| |
The Conservation
League sells Conservation Park to the City of Alma for $21,000. |
| |
City computerizes it
utility billing. |
| |
Riverdale School
District is annexed into Alma Public Schools. |
| |
Consumers Power
enlarges their Wright Avenue facility. |
| 1972 |
Redmond Industries closes Alma plant
because facility is too small to construct larger trailers demanded
by customers. |
| |
Alma Industrial Development announces
purchase of 69 acres on Michigan Avenue and Jerome Road for an
industrial park. |
| |
FAA awards the Gratiot Community
Airport $76,850 to purchase more land for a clear zone. |
| |
The U.S. Treasury sends Alma it's
first revenue sharing check for $94,152. |
| |
Douds Drugs becomes Downtown Drugs. |
| 1973 |
Alma voters approve
a new City Charter. |
| |
City Commission
studies two different plans for a one-way street system. |
| |
GTE has a $4 million
expansion in Alma. Party lines will have no more than 4 parties per
line. |
| |
Alma Highland
Festival becomes a 2-day event. |
| 1974 |
Wastewater plant adds a new aeration
basin, blower building, sludge storage lagoons and clarifier.
Original clarifier is demolished. Control building is expanded. |
| 1975 |
Dial-A-Ride begins
operations. |
| |
New municipal
building opens at 525 E. Superior. |
| |
Alma Reminder moves
to Cheesman Road. |
| |
Gratiot County
United Health and Welfare Fund changes it's name to the United Way
of Gratiot County. |
| |
City awards first
cable television franchise agreement to Cable Vision, Inc. |
| 1976 |
Fire Chief and other fire officers no
longer elected by firefighters. City Manager responsible for
appointing Fire Department officers. |
| |
Police and Fire Special Benefit Fund
created. |
| 1977 |
Cable Vision, Inc.
reports that the cable system construction is 99% complete. |
| 1981 |
Central Michigan Newspapers formed.
Brill Media Co., Inc of Evansville, Indiana, owned Central Michigan
Newspapers. CNM buys the Alma Record and renames it the Morning Sun.
The paper becomes a daily paper. |
| 1982 |
Dial-A-Ride moves
into the Transportation Plaza. |
| |
Sewer averaging
program for summer months begins. |
| |
City establishes the
Library Endowment Fund. |
| |
Firefighters begin
restoration of Republic fire truck. |
| |
GTE announces move
of division office to Alma. Announces digital switch in Alma. |
| |
August: Total
Petroleum moves it's North American headquarters from Alma to
Denver, Colorado. |
| 1983 |
City buys 181 high-pressure sodium
light fixtures for downtown. |
| |
City begins action against Michigan
Agri-Fuels for back taxes. |
| 1984 |
City creates a motor
pool fund. |
| 1985 |
Bank of Alma creates Firstbank as a
one-bank holding company. |
| |
City looks at community outdoor
swimming pool alternatives. |
| |
Tau Kappa Epsilon house destroyed by
fire. |
| |
Library Endowment Fund meets it's fund
raising goal of $200,000. |
| 1986 |
One hundred year
flood hits Alma. |
| |
Addition for Public
Library is constructed. |
| |
By a vote of 1,237
to 1,072, citizens approve 5 years of 2.5 mills for street
improvements. |
| |
New cable franchise
calls for public access channel and studio. |
| |
City acquires
Michigan Agri-Fuels land from the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources. |
| |
Cable system is
rebuilt so that it will be able to transmit 54 channels at 400
megahertz. |
| 1987 |
Firstbank becomes a multi bank holding
company. |
| 1988 |
City assumes
responsibility for staffing Public Access studio. |
| |
Federal Emergency
Management Authority (FEMA) removes Alma from the list of potential
primary targets in the event of a Soviet Union nuclear attack. |
| |
Library buys
computer equipment to allow staff to search Alma College holdings. |
| |
City enters into an
agreement by Proctor & Gamble to give P & G right of first refusal
for the Michigan Agri-Fuels site. |
| |
City begins offering
curbside recycling to it's residents. |
| |
City purchases eight
houses and one business in flood plan. |
| |
County begins
discussing central dispatch and E-911. |
| 1989 |
Morning Sun publishes Sunday editions. |
| |
Proctor & Gamble purchases the
equipment and fixtures in the Michigan Agri-Fuels plant. |
| |
Lobdell-Emery announces an $18 million
plant reconstruction. |
| |
City Commission creates the Local
Development Finance Authority to assign the infrastructure
improvement for Lobdell-Emery. |
| |
Alma fills in outdoor swimming pool. |
| 1990 |
Lobdell-Emery builds
major expansion to it's factory. |
| |
Parking meters are
removed from the downtown area. |
| |
Census shows the
City lost 600 residents. Commission and City staff believe City was
undercounted. |
| |
Traffic plan
developed to ease traffic problems on Wright Avenue. Pine Avenue
shown to extend to Cheesman Road. Light is proposed at Heather Lane. |
| |
Airport receives
grant for $638,000 to fund $715,800 refurbishment of runways and
taxiways. |
| |
City develops park
master plan. |
| |
Riverside Park is
built. |
| |
Dial-A-Ride carries
one millionth passenger. |
| |
Total donates
generator to water plant to help in emergencies. |
| |
Downtown Drugs is
renamed Gratiot Community Apothecary. |
| |
Roy Roach repairs
old town clock in old City Hall. |
| 1991 |
Michigan Masonic Home adds a 204-bed
state of the art addition. |
| |
City joins Gratiot County Central Dispatch for police
and fire services. |
| |
City earns it's first Certificate of
Achievement for Financial Reporting for it's Comprehensive Financial
Report from the Government Finance Officers Association of the
United States and Canada. |
| |
2.5 mill neighborhood street millage
is approved 516 to 356. |
| |
Voters defeat millage request to sell
bonds for Michigan Avenue rehabilitation by 413 to 454. |
| |
Boat launch ramp is constructed. |
| 1992 |
Public Access studio
moves from Gratiot Community Hospital to storefront on Prospect
Street. |
| |
Alma College
President Alan Stone chairs the Gratiot County-wide Strategic
Planning Committee. John McCormack, President of Bank of Alma,
chairs the Alma 2000 committee. |
| |
City reduces work
force by 9 employees due to low revenue. |
| |
City leases Michigan
Agri-Fuels site to Mueller Bean. |
| |
Total Petroleum has
a fire at the refinery. |
| |
Total announces
major upgrade of refinery. |
| |
Voters approve sale
of bonds to reconstruct Michigan Avenue. |
| 1993 |
City sells $1.16 million of G.O. Bonds
to reconstruct Michigan Avenue from Bridge Street to the City
limits. |
| |
Dial-A-Ride offers exterior bus
advertising. |
| |
Police introduce bicycle patrol during
the summer months. |
| 1994 |
Build-A-Dream Park
construced in Wright Park by volunteers. The funds for the structure
were raised through donations. |
| |
Terry Materials
announces interest in leasing/buying the Michigan Agri-Fuels site
from the City. |
| |
After receiving a
letter from major employers, City engages a consultant to stufy the
economic feasibility of creating a municipal electric utility. |
| |
City joins with
eight other communities to form a regional cable consortium. |
| |
Police give trading
cards featuring City Police Officers to area children. |
| |
The Morning Sun
press and production facility on Cheesman Road is destroyed by fire. |
| |
Alma Chamber of
Commerce combines with St. Louis and Ithaca to form the Gratiot Area
Chamber of Commerce. |
| |
City earns its first
"Distinguished Budget Presentation Award" from the Government
Finance Officer Association of the United States and Canada. |
| 1995 |
Alma Downtown Development Authority is
created. |
| 1996 |
Alma College builds
the Heritage Center for the Performing Arts. |
| |
Alma Products
Company donates funds to build the Emmit Tracy Bandshell and Robert
Hicks park shelter in Wright Park. |
| |
Riverwalk is
constructed in Conservation Park. |
| |
City Hall installs
voicemail. |
| |
City website is
developed. |
| 1997 |
City Hall computers are networked. |
| 1998 |
Major windstorm
leaves the city without power. It took four days to restore power to
the entire city. |
| |
City starts scanning
and storing documents in a digital format. |
| 1999 |
UDS announces closure of refinery. |
| |
66 acres of land on Pine Avenue
annexed in the City from Pine River Township through a Section 412
agreement. |
| |
Footbridge by Superior Street
constructed. |
| |
Jordan Industries buys Alma Products
Company. |
| |
State rebuilds bridge on Superior
Street. |
| 2000 |
Warwick Drive
extended from Wright Avenue to Smith Road. |
| |
Heather Lane
extended from Wright Avenue to Warwick Drive. |
| |
State Street Bridge
rebuilt and State Street Dam refurbished. |
| |
George Blyton
retires as Fire Chief. |
| |
William Stuckey
retires as City Clerk/Treasurer. |
| |
City connects
municipal buildings through a Wide Area Network (WAN). |
| |
December: Record
snow storm hits. Received 17.5 inches of snow during December. |
| 2001 |
Bridge Avenue bridge reconstructed. |
| 2002 |
Annexed 180 acres
with a Public Act 425 Conditional Land Transfer Agreement with
Arcada Township. |
| |
City implements
Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement 34. |
| |
Additional section
of the riverwalk completed from Superior Street to Euclid Ball
Fields. |
| |
City's ISO rating
upgraded from Class 6 to Class 5. |
| |
First Lucky MacDuck
Day. |
| 2003 |
Giantway grocery buildings are
demolished on the riverfront. |
| |
Built on Pines: The Story of Ammi
Willard Wright; a book by David McMacken is released. |
| |
City receives a $200,000 MSHDA grant
for the downtown upper story development. |
| |
City Commission Chambers are
refurbished for the first time since the 1975 construction. |
| |
City Commissioners begin using laptops
at board meetings instead of paper packets. |
| |
The Alma Downtown Waterfront Planning
begins. |
| |
Warwick Dr. is reconstructed from Pine
Ave. to Wright Ave. |
| |
Walkable Communities Inc. visits
downtown and recommends improvements to make downtown more
pedestrian friendly. The concept of roundabouts is born. |
| |
A Hydrogeological study finds new water
well site for the city. |
| 2004 |
Voters approve a
$3.5 million expansion of the Alma Public Library. |
| |
Alma Police
Department begins Community Policing concept. |
| |
Adams Ave. is
constructed and Grover Ave. is closed to Superior St. |
| |
Alma College
constructs the new Wright Hall dormitory. |
| |
Oxford Automotive
closes/files for bankruptcy. |
| |
Center St. becomes a
local street. |
| |
Design begins on the
new Transportation Facility. |
| |
Gratiot County Parks
Millage passes to reopen Reed and West Park. |
| 2005 |
A new fire truck with a 75' ladder and
pumper is purchased by the Alma Fire District. |
| |
Brownfield Redevelopment Plan for the
Riverfront Redevelopment is approved. |
| |
Alma Police Athletic League begins. |
| |
City receives a grant from the MDNR
for the fourth phase of the riverwalk. |
| |
Woodworth Ave. is rebuilt from Downie
to East End Street. |
| |
Superior and Center Streets are
converted back to two-way traffic. |
| |
New Aeration basin for the wastewater
treatment plant is constructed. |
| |
Construction of the new Middle School
begins. |
| |
Gratiot Community Hospital merges with
Mid-Michigan Health to form the Gratiot Medical Center with a
planned $56 million expansion. |
| |
Plans to build Panther Parkway between
the high school and new middle school are announced. |
| |
First Annual Highland Festival
Community Day. |
| |
Pine Ave. expanded to Cheeseman Rd. |
| |
The east end of the parallel taxiway
for the Gratiot Community Airport is built. |
| 2006 |
Valero donates 144
acres of property (formerly Total) east of Jerome Rd. to City of
Alma. |
| |
New Gratiot County
Central Dispatch Center
begins operation as an independent agency. |
| |
Fred Meijer
Heartland Rails to Trails property is acquired. |
| |
Construction of well
house #8 is completed. |
| |
Assessment district
created fro the Gemstone housing development south of the
fairgrounds. |
| |
The development of
the Great Lakes Energy Research Park is announced. |