Does anyone still have a little folder book to keep your World War II ration books in, compliments of Dowagiac National Bank (I still have a few ration stamps)?
I have two old Mother’s magazines dated November 1916; 15 cents a copy.
At one time for $1 you could get a Gen. Marshall’s Victory Report of all the World War II battles.
Joe Parker was commander of the Dowagiac Vets Club in 1946 and ’47.
I think I read where Cass County lost 42 boys in the second world war.
I have three old 1861 Harper’s Weekly’s, Sept. 14, Oct. 19 and Dec. 14.
I read in an old Dowagiac Daily News that on Monday, Nov. 11, 1918, a big parade was held at the Elks at 7 p.m. to be followed by an old-time barbecue.
A question I’ve been unable to get an answer from many I’ve talked to is what ever happened to the big long-barreled Navy cannon that stood on a base near the sidewalk that went from Front Street to the depot, about where Twistees is now.
The old Century Theatre was built in 1921. The Ward School was built in 1864 on James Street.
Some people say I’m a grouchy old curmudgeon, so be it. Ha ha.
Riverside Cemetery was laid out in 1870 and some of my pioneer family are resting there on the hill above the old vault.
The cemetery had 1,400 lots when it was laid out.
Beckwith Theatre was built in 1892 (I don’t remember when it was laid to rest).
In 1877, Dowagiac became a city and in 1879 was the start of the Dowagiac Union Fair; brick pavement on Front Street and the Cook Lake diamond was found in 1894.
1895 — Lee mansion built; 1903 — Fredrick Cook drowned at the Mill Pond; 1911, interurban finished; 1920, Adolf Niedner Rifle factory founded; 1939, Fair store founded; 1860, population, 1,181. My great-grandpa, Charles Clarke, was here in 1840 and my grandpa Henry Clarke came in 1860.
Did you ever think you would buy water at the grocery store, and that you could call over the U.S. for free or talk to people you see even in England, as we do?

“Cardinal Charlie” Gill writes a nostalgic weekly column about growing up in the Grand Old City.
Email him at cardinalcharlie@hotmail.com.