Grand Blanc High School - Echo Yearbook (Grand Blanc, MI)

Page 8 text:

orewom' SINCE THE FOUNDING of Graw Blaw in 1823 many changes have taken place. From an Indian Trail, our main street has developed into a modern up- to-date highway, scarcely wide enough to handle the traffic between Detroit and The Straits. Our town has grown from a settlement of four homes scattered over several square miles, yet neighbors in 1823, to a municipality of 1,012 and a township population of 6,716. The Iirst post oflice wassbuilt in 1826 and the nrst church in July, 1833. By 1835 the population of fifty persons could patronize the drug store, two general stores, a farm implement store, a grist-mill, post office, and school. Our original business district is gradually expanding to the north, and live churches within the city limits call us to services each Sunday. Since the establishment of Grand Blanc School in 1830 it has grown from a small one room building to a Class B School with an enrollment of 1,511. Our name Grand Blanc was originated as in the poem which follows: Captain was the Hrst man Who there a settlement began, 'Tis seventy or sixty years Since he that region did explore. When iirst he settled there 'twas then Near 20 miles from more white men. The name of the place was then 'Graw Blawf For as Frenchman passed the place they saw A big white man who there resided, And that circumstance a name provided. The Frenchman wrote the name 'Grand Blanc,' It was so pronounced by every Yank. 4

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On these pages are reproduced two of the 446 pages in the His- tory of Genesee County, Michigan, published in Philadelphia in 1879. This home, known by our grandparents and greatgrandpar- ents, if they were residents of the community, stood on a knoll-now cut away-just west of Davis Street and faced the Grand Blanc Road, then called Center Street. Majestic pines and flower gardens, old-time hospitality and friend- liness charmed both the local people and the passer-by. t 3

Page 9 text:

YDea'z'cafz'071 TO ARTHUR SHERWQOD We dedi- cate our 1947 ECHO , His under- standing of and patience with our foi- bles, his ever-dependable helping hand, and his fair-mindedness have earned our deep respect, With his jolly smile, friendly joking manner and spirit of co- operation he has won our friendship and loyalty. No matter how taxing his work, no matter how late the hour or how stormy the day, Mr. Sherwood gives us a cheery Good Morning as he stands on the street making it safe for us to cross. As chief of the Maintenance Staff, he carries on his dtities toward making our school a more enjoyable place to come to each day. 5