Howell Area Archives Digital Archive

Browse Exhibits (5 total)

  • HCDL-H004-Fire-1892-2_u.jpg

    1892 Fire in Howell, Michigan

    Date Correction

    Based on the Livingston Republican article from October 6, 1892 the date should be October 5, 1892.

    Location Correction

    Based on the 1892 Sanbon Fire Insurance Maps (see both Image 2 and Image3 at the Library of Congress) it was between Main Street (present day State Street) and East Street (present day Michigan Ave.) and Grand River.

  • HCDL-W001-10-Adams-Jason-USMC_u.jpg

    Honoring All Who Served

    Our unique digital exhibit, "Honoring All Who Served," features photos of all branches of service Veterans in a tribute to their courage, dedication, and patriotism. These images offer a glimpse into the experiences and sacrifices made by servicemen and servicewomen throughout U.S. history. This exhibit is organized by the last name of the Veteran and ensures that their stories and legacies are preserved for future generations. Our display of Veterans' photos on the stair landing is available for all to see when visiting the library. 

  • HCDL-ngp-L002-02-0039_u.jpg

    Library History

    Provides a history of the library which started in 1875 with the Ladies Library Association of Howell and goes through until the present. This exhibit includes information on the beautiful stone building that was opened in 1906, the expansion in 1991, the renovations in 2013 and some interesting facts about the library.

  • HCDL-P002-1994-Melons-Vine_u.jpg

    Melon Festival Over the Years

    Howell Melon Festival started in 1960 as a contest to see who could grow the largest, best tasting and nicest looking melon.

    Read the 11th Howell Melon Festival Booklet from 1971 for more history of the Melon Festival.

  • HCDL-ngp-S004-04-0013_u.jpg

    Paving Grand River

    Grand River was first established as a trail by the Indigenous  tribes of southern lower Michigan; eventually widening and growing as the population increased and transportation evolved from foot, to horseback, to carriage, to automobile.  By 1852 the Detroit-Howell-Lansing Plank Road was completed.  Unfortunately, maintenance costs were high and within 30 years the entire planking was replaced by graded roads.  

    The Wolverine Paved Way Association  was a campaign by a number of businessmen from across the state of Michigan.  The goal was a paved road running the course of Grand River from Grand Haven to Detroit.  Howell had a local group called the “Howell Boomers” who supported the project.  

     In 1911 the village council of Howell voted to pave Grand River with brick from Byron Road to Barnard Street.  The work began in late 1915, supported by a bond passed by residents and by 1917 the residents again voted in favor to expand the paved area from the Genoa Township line to Howell Township on the west. 

    • Jaehnig, D.L. ed, “The Howell Bicentennial History 1776-1976 (Part 2 of 3) Pages 223-421,” Howell Area Archives Digital Archive, accessed April 23, 2024, https://archives.howelllibrary.org/items/show/242.