BAY CITY,

The revival of business noticed in our last issue, and the prediction therein – that the city would have gained largely in population and material wealth before the publication of our next volume- has been fully realized and the present prosperous condition of Bay City, must be highly gratifying to the community.

Of its early history it is unnecessary to speak here, and we notice briefly a few facts connected with the present condition of the city.

POPULATION

The official return of the census of 1880 gave the city a total population of 20,693, thus ranking it as the third city in Michigan in point of numbers, and being upwards of 1,000 in excess of our calculated figures for 1879.  Applying our usual rule of multiplying by 3 ½ (which experience has shown to be a low ratio), the number of names (6,464) contained in this volume, we find the present population may be safely computed at 22,624.

BUILDINGS, ETC.

The last year has been noticeable for many general improvements and a large amount of building has been done-the total cost for 1880 being set down at $350,000, many handsome and substantial residences having been erected.

CITY GOVERNMENT.

The city is governed by the mayor and fourteen aldermen, two being elected from each of the seven wards, the names of which, together with those of the other city officers, committees, etc., will be found in the miscellaneous directory.

POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

One chief and eight patrolmen constitute the police force of the city.  The City Recorder acts as Police Justice, and has jurisdiction over all offenses in violation of the ordinances of the city. 

The fire department consists of one chief engineer with two assistants, one foreman, one driver, and five pipemen to each hose reel; there are four hose companies with about 6,000 feet of hose, and a hook and ladder company.  The carts are drawn by horses, and the number of alarm boxes is 17, connected with a complete system of fire telegraph reaching to all parts of the city and suburbs.

WATER WORKS.

The water works (established in 1872) are of a very complete character-on the system known as the “Holly”.  The engine, of 350 horse power, has a capacity of 5,000,000 gallons per day, and during 1880 pumped 82,767,322 gallons for the supply of the city.  A 31-inch main pipe runs down to Saginaw Bay (5 miles).

VALUATION OF PROPERTY.

The assessment, real and personal, was on an estimated value of $7,722,310, an amount far below the real value, which may be safely placed at about $14,000,000.

CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.

Seventeen religious societies of various denominations, most of whom possess handsome places of worship, represent the religious interests of the city; and the educational facilities are very good, the schools being ably and effectually managed, while the buildings are models of neatness and adaptability to their purpose.   The number of scholars enrolled is 2,800.  The number of teachers 47.

PUBLIC LIBRARY.

There is an excellent public library, under the care of trustees appointed by the common council.  It possesses upwards of 7,400 volumes, and the circulation of books in 1880 reached 24,000 issues.

SOCIETIES.

The various secret and benevolent societies are well represented-there being 7 Masonic and 9 Odd Fellows lodges, while the A.O.U.W., Knights of Honor, Knights of Pythias, Royal Arcanum are well represented, and there are a number of societies founded for social, scientific and temperance purposes.

BANKS

Two National and one charted State Bank, afford facilities for the transaction of the business of the city-the total capital of these institutions being $640,000, exclusive of accumulated surplus.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS

A number of incorporated companies give employment to a large number of hands, and their number is constantly on the increase.  The principal industries are those of the manufacture of lumber and salt.  In 1880 the quantity of lumber cut in Bay City and West Bay City was 479,556,400 feet- this being the product of 32 mills, while of shingles there were cut 51,814,500.  Of salt 13,999 carloads were shipped in barrels and bulk during the same period.  The quantity of freight handled by the two principal companies in 1880 was as follows:

D. &B.C.R.R.              35,468,557 lbs. of freight received

“           “                       78,804,278    “             “           “

M.C.R.R.                     31,505,490      “           “           “

“           “                       76,325,785      “           “           “

and these figures will be far exceeded this year.

NEWSPAPERS.

The following newspapers are published:  Chronicle and Tribune (daily and weekly); Daily Morning and Evening News; Lumberman’s Gazette (weekly); Le Courier (French weekly); Le Patriote (French weekly); Michigan Freie Presse (German weekly), and the National Globe (weekly).

In conclusion, the publishers, in returning their thanks for the support accorded the present issue of the directory, would remark that it is believed to be more complete than any previous volume – no pains having been spared to insure its accuracy-and while congratulating the citizens upon the great improvement in their city, feel confident that when the period arrives for the issue of the next volume, the same marked advance will be exhibited.

Copyright ©  2008
Transcriptions by the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints, Bay City
Transcriber Janet Benchley
Proof Reader Donna Hoff-Grambau
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