NORTHVILLIANS,
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We will take a look at the festive gatherings for this holiday in the Northville area through time.
Let’s take a look at one of Northville’s greatest celebrated holidays through time – St. Paddy’s Day.
As we talk about St. Patrick’s Day, I wanted to note that historically, Northville has had a great percentage of Irish citizens who share my Scotch/Irish heritage. Another family in town (the Raysons) were of the same descent and had a large cabbage field behind where Ford Field & CVS are today on Rayson Street, resulting in the name “Cabbage Town” for this section of the Ville.
The following St. Patrick’s Day info came from Northville Record articles through the years:
1890’s – Some of the largest social gatherings in Northville occurred on St. Patrick’s Day when we hosted up to 400 people from Southeastern Michigan at the Princess Rink (across from where CVS is today on Dunlap St., behind the Marquis Theater). St. Paddy’s Day dinner dances were sponsored by the Knights of Pythias fraternal lodge. People came from all over to partake in the food, dance, music & festivities.
1912-1914 – The format switched from a more formal gathering to a “Barn Dance” Shamrock affair. The cost for dinner, dancing & festivities was just 98 cents (and another 49 cents for your date). Country garb was in vogue … to go with the hay bale seats and a livestock viewing pen. Over 500 attended these events.
1920 – The Northville Woman’s Club sponsored a St. Paddy’s Day luncheon with games, activities and elaborate festive decorations.
1927 – The High School Gym was the location for an OLV-sponsored St. Patrick’s Day “Spirit of America” banquet that brought together all aspects of the community. Exceptional speakers included Judge Brennan of Detroit, Rotary President E. C. Langfield and Village President Elmer Smith, who read an original poem, “Northville and Its Advantages.”
1948 – The Garden Club sponsored a holiday St. Patrick’s Day luncheon in Orchard Heights & the tables’ centerpieces featured green and pink snap dragons and yellow daffodils.
2001 – An ad in The Record highlighted a shamrock plant sale at IV Season’s flower shop and green & white St. Paddy’s socks were in stock at the Marquis Gift Shoppe. Also, there were various traditional Irish toasts:
“May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.”
2006 – The Northville Historical Society archivist (Heidi Nielsen) was featured in The Record. She had recently discovered a sword of the Knights of Pythias, the lodge who sponsored those early St. Patrick’s Day gatherings.
2021 – In Northville’s downtown social district, green beer and festivities abound … the Shawn Riley Band kicked off the celebration last weekend playing some Irish jigs in front of the Marquis Theater. On March 17th, Genitti’s will get things rocking from 1:00pm -10:00pm with music to accompany the entertainment, elixirs of life, and a festive atmosphere. So you can see, the town’s traditions continue!
Northvillians… stay safe, mask up & keep your distance while experiencing all Northville has to offer as ‘Spring is almost sprung.’ Get out and walk Ford Field next to the river, stroll through some history at the Mill Race and enjoy a relaxed night out in the Downtown Social District.
Keep that Northville Faith!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849
(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)
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