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Category: General / Topics: Memories

Pinchtown

by Dan Seagren

Posted: February 2, 2014

Learning about our community…

My esteemed late mother-in-law and her family called Pinchtown home. A book by that name revealed that a tiny community including many immigrants was near but not then incorporated into Muskegon, Michigan. Rather, it was pinched between the city and the Village of Lakeside.

Curious about her origin, now that my wife and I live very close to Pinchtown, located near the Ruddiman Creek, I discovered that George Ruddiman, a Scottish immigrant, arrived in 1840, plunged into the lumber business, and left seven children when Typhoid Fever took his life in 1890.

In the summer, concerts are held in McGraft park, just beyond Ruddiman Creek. If we listen closely, we can hear certain sounds coming our way. Newcomb McGraft born in 1840, only three when his father died was placed into foster homes. At age 13 he worked on a farm for $6.00 a month, worked his way up to became co-owner of several sawmills with three schooners to move lumber as well as by rail. By 1881 serious labor troubles erupted and Newcomb became active in politics. He watched the decline of the lumber business and was the esteemed benefactor of McGraft Park.

The journey from downtown Muskegon to Pinchtown wandered through woods on crooked paths. Wagons pulled by oxen trudged along and crossed over Ruddiman Creek on a rickety wooden bridge. After about 100 years and several makeshift bridges, we now drive over on a sleek, concrete structure, completed in 1986 where we look for swans in the Ruddiman Lagoon.

In 1890, streetcars invaded Muskegon. Buggies and carriages were left behind and the ride to Pinchtown cost about a nickel. When the price rose to six cents, riots broke out as irate factory workers screamed in protest. By 1929 streetcar service ended and buses and autos took over.

Many of the streets in Pinchtown were named after its residents like Palmer and Greely where our relatives lived along with Montgomery, Moore, Nolan and Vanderlind. The Salvation Army and McGraft Memorial Congregational Church along with Palmer Hall and the Vikings and Vasa called Pinchtown home. The village even produced Father Edman Szoka who was appointed to The College of Cardinals.

Families ranged from childless up to nine or more, some with foster and adopted children. Death and illness were a heavy burden although some lived long lives. Many moved away only to return. Pinchtown was small but huge in its impact on the whole area. Today we can get coffee and ice cream in a nearby parlor named Pinchtown. Some senior moments do rely on our learning about more about our ancestry (and what eleven square village blocks can accomplish).



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Dan Seagren is an active retiree whose writings reflect his life as a Pastor, author of several books, and service as a Chaplain in a Covenant Retirement Community.

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Posted: February 2, 2014   Accessed 131 times

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