April Fools’ Day

NORTHVILLIANS,

April 1^st and April Fools’ Day are coming, both at once! Spring Season is finally beginning. I will talk about some historical happenings this time of year as the warmer season begins to blossom in the Ville with Car shows, weddings and planned outdoor events.

A quick side note on April Fools’ Day:

• The exact origins of April Fool’s Day are unknown, but there are some theories, including:
  • That religious leaders in the 16^th century refuted the re-establishment of the New Year’s date on January 1^st, preferring it begin at the end of the Christian Holy Week in early April. Some called these religious fanatics “April Fools.”
  • Also around that time, in 1592, France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar… thus some were fooled by which calendar to follow (can you imagine?).
  • Other theories on April Fools’ Day date back to origins in ancient Rome and a festival called Hilaria held at the end of March. To celebrate, people would dress up in disguises and fool each other on who was behind the masks.

Historical highlights leading up to April 1st…

3/5/1870 – A column in The Northville Record by J. D. Yerkes highlighted the spring appearance and songs of Grosbeak birds.

3/23/1893 – Charles L. Dubuar (Dubuar St.) was elected as Northville’s new president (Mayor). He graduated from the Northville Schools and U of M, worked for the war department in DC and then the US Postal Service before serving “the best & prettiest village in all the State”.

3/27/1896 – The Record spoke about the growing and overflowing Northville Schools … some teachers had more than 70 students in a class, leading to discussions of additional facilities.

3/30/1917 – Northville Spring Barn Dance, 500+ Northvillians enjoyed the spring dance with a full orchestra, luncheon and decorations.  Ford sponsored a special D.U.R. car (Detroit United Railway) streetcar to transport 60 young men and their dates to Town.

3/25/1927 – The Federal Government announced the purchase of a modern single wing Northville Stinson plane to be used to enforce new air regulations in the sky.

3/29/1946 – The State of Michigan purchased 290 acres on Seven Mile for a State Hospital. Today, this acreage is part of the Legacy Park trails and recreational site being put together by Northville Parks & Rec under the leadership of Northville Township.

3/29/1956 – The Record wrote about our old ancient Firetruck, which was going to soon be retired with a replacement being contemplated.  At the time, there was a slightly newer firetruck owned jointly by both the City and the Township. The old pumper truck was originally purchased before our 1927 Centennial Parade. Today, it has been fully restored and is sitting at a museum in Ohio, ready for yet another bicentennial – ours in 2027.

Other Spring newsworthy events through the years included:

• On March 30, 1934, a foot of “Spring snow” fell.
• Spring concerts in 1967-68 included ones by a young upstart from Ann Arbor called Bob Seger, who performed at the Old Village School and the “CAVERN” at the Community Building.
• Northville Spring events included shopping, dining & music on the first Fridays in April.
• In 2016 a big Spring Music concert was scheduled that showcased NINE Northville High School groups.

As you can see, through the years a lot of activity has happened in the Spring around April Fools’ Day in our “Hamlet in the Hills” or “Switzerland of Wayne County” we call Northville.

Keep that Northville Spring Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

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