Sharon Broglin - Allen Park

This picture, taken in 1910, hangs at the checkout lanes in the Meijer Store on Fort Street in Southgate. When the headquarters of the company approached the museum for scenes from Downriver, this was one that it chose to represent Allen Park. The representative felt the group of boys showed the spirit and innocence that existed in youth years ago. The photograph is a favorite of both young and old when they visit the museum. It was most likely taken on the Champagne farm. The Champagne family owned land in the mid-1800s. Pictured from left to right are Gustav Hinzman, Joseph Champagne, Frank Champagne, and Frederick Hinzman. The Hinzman farm was next to the Champagne farm.

In 1918, nine members of the Champagne family gathered for this photograph. The earliest known settlers in this area were the French, although not in as great numbers as in neighboring cities such as Lincoln Park, Ecorse, and River Rouge. As the population in Detroit increased, the French settlers spread to areas north and south of the bustling town. Frank Champagne, seated on the right, became one of the first village council members when the community was incorporated in 1927.

This view of the Hubert Champagne farm was taken in 1908. The curving dirt road later became the intersection of Vine and Englewood Streets. A member of one of Allen Parks pioneer families, Elmer Theeck remembered that this picture was taken from the loft of the August Boelter barn. On July 1, 1776, French pioneer Pierre St. Cosme was given over 4,000 acres of land by the chiefs of the Potawatomi tribe. The land stretched from the Detroit River to the area where Thunderbowl Lanes and Arena is located today.

In 1910, the threshing crew came to harvest the wheat on the Hubert Champagne farm. The lasting influence of the French in the history of the Downriver communities was great and can still be seen today in such names of families, streets, and schools. The names that are remembered in the area include Champagne, Labadie, Salliotte, LeBlanc, Cicotte, Pepper, Drouillard, Bondie, and LeDuc, to name a few. As the land was cleared in the mid-1800s, the German farmers would come to live in this area.

This picture of January 13, 1918, shows farm owners Hazen Finner, Carl Theeck, Frank Theeck, Gustaze Hinzmann, Frank Champagne Jr., William Freeze, Frank Champagne Sr., Fred Hinzmann, and Joseph Champagne working on an unidentified farm. Community efforts such as this were common. Old-timers remember when the Champagne family flooded areas during winter for ice-skating and sledding. The family owned one of the few roads that could be traveled to other farms, known today as Champaign Road. The family name was also given to Champaign Park, one of the largest in Allen Park.

This is a rare picture of the inside of a farmhouse in the town taken at the beginning of the 20th century. Most pictures taken in rural areas at this time were taken with the family and pets standing outside their homes. The picture is of the Kolb children in their house, which was located on the corner of what is now Kolb and Ecorse Roads. It seems as though it might have been a special occasion. Note that the child on the right is holding a clock that reads 4:15.