[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1611-E1612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              MARCHING INTO ANOTHER CENTURY OF EXCELLENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, nothing can be more invigorating than being 
proud of where we live, and I must tell you that the people of 
Caseville, Michigan, are among the proudest people I have ever met. 
This Saturday, Caseville will be holding its Grand Parade as part of 
its Centennial Celebration, and what a century it has been.
  The history of this area rightfully claims that ``this pretty little 
village is located on Saginaw Bay at the mouth of the Pigeon River.'' 
Tracing its development back to the mid-1800's, the first settlers were 
Reuben Dodge, his wife and family, who came from Maine in 1840. William 
Rattle came in 1852 on behalf of Leonard Case, establishing a sawmill 
in the town that was then called Port Elizabeth in honor of Mr. 
Rattle's wife. The first school opened in 1859. The first hotel was 
opened at the head of Main Street by Robert Squiers in 1856, and the 
first mail came into town in 1858. A flouring mill was opened in 1870, 
and the first salt well in the area opened in the spring of 1871. The 
Pigeon River salt and iron works was started in 1873. The community 
continued to change and grow with the change, until on October 15, 
1898, the Village

[[Page E1612]]

of Caseville was incorporated at a session of the County Commission.
  The first election of officers was held on December 5, 1898. John 
Poss became the first Village President, and Frank Poss was the first 
Village Clerk. The first ordinance, adopted in 1899, dealt with riding 
or driving on sidewalks, emphasizing that from the very beginning the 
people of this fine community were concerned with keeping it special.
  Over the past 100 years, Caseville has been a major economic center 
for the Thumb of Michigan, a geographic feature recognized from the 
Michigan elementary school student to the orbiting Space Shuttle 
astronauts. The history of commercial fishing, saw mills, iron and salt 
processing, are important elements in Caseville's development. 
Agriculture was vital to this area as well, going from the early days 
of the Indians in Michigan who grew corn in this area, to today's 
bounty of corn, wheat, sugar beets, dry beans, and other specialty 
crops. Railroads, beginning with the Pontiac, Oxford, & Port Austin 
Railroad, have been vital arteries of commerce, even though their 
presence today is less significant than it had been in the past.
  Today, Caseville is known as a tourist destination offering ideally 
sandy beaches, camping, marinas with access to Lake Huron and all of 
its bounty, and a way of life that is envied by its thousands of annual 
visitors. Mr. Speaker, it is only fitting that we take the time to 
congratulate Caseville on its Centennial. I urge you and all of our 
colleagues in wishing its residents the very best on this occasion, and 
the very best as the Village of Caseville begins its next century.

                          ____________________