Milestones on Mainstreet: Civic Center IS a true Community Building

Researched by Jayne Paasch and JoAnne VanderWerff
1949
With Harry S. Truman as President of the United States, the Sparta division of the Muskegon Piston Ring Company is looking to donate $25,000 to the Sparta Community Foundation for the purpose of building a community building.  Building Committee chairperson, C. Laurence Johnson is working with Glenn Bradford, Roger [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: Engines & Fruit

Gasoline Engine
The introduction of the new line of gasoline engines has Sparta residents excited, especially the farmers.  The Holm Machine Manufacturing Company, located in Sparta, Michigan, is manufacturing the first Sears Economy Engines.  Production began last year in 1909. Local farmers are being charged $100 to $150 dollars for a 2-horse power engine that the [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: An Elderberry Jubilee

A Big Idea
It is the year of our Lord, 1981, and Peace Lutheran Church is preparing to add a sanctuary to the existing building.  The members of the congregation believe it is their duty to help with the financial situation to lessen the burden than by simply increasing the weekly offering. 
There is rumor of two [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: Raising a New Church: August 2009

 Raising a New Church
Its just turning 1884, and four families, George W. Reed, Gilbert Bettes, along with their wives from Lisbon & Daniel and Israel Smith and their wives, from Sparta, decide to start a church in Sparta.  The families know this was not to be taken lightly, as there were already many churches in [...]

Milestones on Main Street: The Big Shootout of ‘71: June 2009

The Big Shootout of ‘71
 It’s a warm Saturday morning on main street, and Sharkey Badgerow has just been murdered… again. He jolts and spins and clutches his chest, blood oozing from his wounds. He finally drops to the pavement and gives one last kick.
 
Several gang members throw him on the flatbed. The driver lashes the [...]

Milestones on Main Street: The Great Treasure Hunt of ‘69: April 2009

The Great Treasure Hunt of ‘69
 It’s a hot July morning in Sparta, 1969.  Armstrong and Aldrin have just landed on the moon.  But for the moment Bob Schwab is more interested in a station wagon pulling away from his dump, leaving an old couch behind.
 To anybody else it looks like junk.  But to Bob it’s [...]

Milestones on Main Street: February 2009

Sparta Hunting & Fishing Club
Graduating in 1947
The excitement of the future after High School is high for Robert Anderson & Donald Reed, two Sparta High School Students. As they have lived in Sparta most of their lives, and been friends for a long time, both boys reflect on their years in Sparta growing [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: December 2008

The Big Shakeout of ‘79
In January of ’79, Jose Cruz keeps things moving in the Sparta Foundry. Jose, known as Joe, works second shift. A straight eight from 3:00 to 11:00 at night. Life in the foundry is hard and dirty. But the money and benefits are good.
Twenty men work behind noisy presses to make [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: November 2008

Sparta Booming in 1876
Today, Sparta is a booming town which boasts a hotel in downtown Sparta, a large, two story building situated on the corner of Mill and Division Street. The town is growing due to the railroad bringing in businessmen and travelers to and through the area. The depot is located near to [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: October 2008

Sleepy Hollow
During the days of the horse drawn carriage, Sparta was booming and Mr. McGowan had elevated dreams when he began building his hotel. The farming community was considered the next best thing to the big city of Grand Rapids; therefore his capital venture seemed a
sure bet. Up until the advent of the auto, Sparta [...]

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