Milestones on Mainstreet: History of Sparta Township

For years Sparta graduate Kathryn Paasch had harbored the desire to write a book.  In 2010, while researching through the files and photos of Sparta’s history, the sister duo JoAnne VanderWerff and Jayne Paasch, Kathryn Paasch’s Aunt & Mother-in-Law who are actively involved in the Sparta Township Historical Commission, discussed how to “tell” the story [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: Days of the Peach Ridge Apple Smorgasbord

1951 – The First Time Sixty three different apple dishes and recipes will be whipped up for the one day occasion by about 30 of the Peach Ridge farm women.  One of the farm wives have called the new Apple Smorgasbord event a “wonderfully fresh idea”.  The smorgasbord itself seems that it might become a [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

The Loss of an Icon

Over 3,000 Sparta students, parents, chaperones, and teachers who ever went on Mr. Larry Carter’s 5th grade Sparta Historical Tour can mourn together for the loss of a Sparta icon.  The “Catalpa Tree”, known to many Sparta residents and students, sat in the back yard of a home on West Division until late Sunday evening [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

History of Sparta

The History of Sparta, Michigan will be added here shortly!

Sparta Businesses are Lookin’ Good

Notice the amazing changes in Sparta commercial buildings lately? Some of the major changes are due in part to the Village of Sparta Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Property Enhancement Grant program for exterior enhancements to commercial buildings within the DDA District. The program has generated over $250,000 of investment from business owners into the exterior [...]

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