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East Lansing Personal Stories



David Chapin recalls 4th of July festivities and more

Written by staff writer Fran Wilcox, Towne Courier

My family moved to Gainsborough Drive which is almost halfway between Saginaw and Lake Lansing Road off of North Harrison in December 23, 1955 from Haslett. Well, it wasn't quite "East Lansing" yet as we didn't get annexed until 1959, although we were in the East Lansing School District. Gainsborough was a gravel road until annexed and it didn't connect with Colorado Drive as "The Big Ditch" (Sanderson Drain) separated us....

Liz Schweitzer recalls the good and the scary

Written by staff writer Fran Wilcox, Towne Courier


Liz Schweitzer does not feel like she has that much history in East Lansing - until she starts to think about it. Then the Michigan State University grad and former Cable Services Commission, City Councilmember and mayor and current chairperson of the centennial committee realizes she has been a part of East Lansing for 40 years...

Springer grew up on the edge of country

Written by staff writer Fran Wilcox, Towne Courier


East Lansing was a different world in 1955, as Ron Springer's memories attest. Springer, who currently works for East Lansing Planning and Community Development, moved with his family to East Lansing in ?55 as a second grader. They settled on Gainsborough, in an area that is now surrounded by development but was at the time considered the edge of the country...

WWII defined East Lansing childhood for Thompsons

Written by staff writer Fran Wilcox, Towne Courier


When Jack and Clarice Thompson were children in East Lansing, it was a small, sleepy, self-contained town. Now it is a bustling city with a busy downtown and a full slate of community and university activities...

Marking EL's centennial, Sharp looks back

Written by staff writer Fran Wilcox, Towne Courier


Bill Sharp was born and raised in Lansing, but he has made East Lansing his home. He has served as an East Lansing Police Officer, school board member and city council member for 12 years each. "I've done my duty," he said with a smile.

Red Cedar neighborhood grew out of Hicks family dairy farm

Written by staff writer Fran Wilcox, Towne Courier


One hundred years ago, fields stood in what is now the Red Cedar neighborhood. As the city of East Lansing celebrates its centennial, the Red Cedar Neighborhood Association celebrates its smaller community. The association is planning a neighborhood celebration in the fall and working to develop an e-mail list of past and present residents interested in taking part...