Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-18
HISTORY OF ALMA.
by BERTHA v. sTRUBLR.l
(Continued.)

some time, afterwards they wer
held in the Baptist Church and dur
ing the year 1880 they completed
the Advent Church and have sine,
had their meetings there.
During the year 1872 thirteel
persons organized themselves into ,
society which was known as TIT
First Congregational Church O.
Alma. Its members increased won
derfully and during the year 1884
they erected beautiful brick church
the cost of which was $4,000.
Soon after the Presbyterians took
possession of the college, they bough,
the Congregational Church and have
since held services there.
The Episcopal Church was erected
at cost of $4,000.
Before this time, as early as 1885,
services were held regularly by them
at the Baptist Church.
Four years after the church was
completed, a beautiful pipe organ
was placed in it at cost of 800.
The Methodist Church is q neat
little structure in western Alma and
was erected in 1890.
Alma has always taken very de-
cided interest in politics and has
almost uniformly been republican.
The first term of court in the
county was held in the school house
which was located where the
Wright House stands.
The first political speech was made
by Mr.. E. Pratt, Representative in
the State Legislature.
Every one in Alma came to hear
this speech as they seldom had an
opportunity to enjoy such privileges.
The first railroad in Alma, the
G. S. 81 c., was built in 1874 and it
extended from st. Louis through
Alma to Cedar Lake and bore the
modest name of Chicago, Saginaw
and Canada.
The next year Captain Craw ex.
tended it to Howard City and finally
it went to Lake View.
Some of the ladies of Alma offered
to give $500 towards the railroad if
it might run through their town.
The money was raised by enter
tainments and dances that were
given at the Hubert House and it
was used to help build the station,
which was of brick and was quite an
ornament to the town.
Soon after this, this building
burned and the brick which the
ladies paid for was taken to st. Louis
and used in the erection of the Epis
copal Church.
A great many will remember the
day when the railroad was finished
as there was picnic given in honor
of the occasion.
The men who were working on
the r. r. were invited to participate
in this dinner which was pronounced
the dinner of the season.
After dinner a number of the peo-
pie boarded a fiat car and rode over
to st. Louis, SO as to say they had
had the first ride on the first 4. K.
in Alma.
In the year 1878 the D. L. q n.
r. r. was brought to Alma and
Joined with the G. S. & G..
The Toledo 81 Ann Arbor r. r.
was completed during the year 1884.
The Ithaca Il. r. or "stub," which
is branch Of the D. L. d N, was
also built during the year 1884.
The first hotel in Alma was stu.
ated a block south and block east
of the dam and was known as the
Meyer House.
Soon after, the Hubert House,
which stood east of Mr.. Holiness
store, was built and was in a flourish.
ing condition for many years.
1t was in this building that Mr..
Delavan first began to sell goods.
We now have four hotels in Alma
the Milliken House, Angel House,
Hotel Arcadia and Wright House.
For many years the place where
the Arcadia stands was the only dry
place between there and the college.
The Arcadia was built in 1890 by
Mr.. Geo. Pulfrey who is the present
proprietor.
The Wright House was built In
1883 and commenced business 18th
of Oct. during the same year.
As this hotel is one of the best in
Michigan, we naturally feel very
proud of it and think that it ought
to be more than merely mentioned.
in regard to its elegance in finish
and its convenience; it has no super.
Tor in the west.
1t is three stories high and Is
built of brick from Mr.. Wright's
own brick yard and the foundation
is Kelly Island limestone.
Fhs brick is painted red and with
the stone trimmings it makes very
attractive building.
The basement is thoroughly fin
ished in black ash with oiled maple
floors.
Every room is heated by steam