"The establishment of baseball as a staple of Independence Day was a most
significant development. It helped solidify the game's status as the
national pasttime and enabled it to survive after initial enthusiasm had
subsided. In many succeeding seasons interest in baseball would be on the
wane in a community until a traditional game on July 4 helped spark a
revival."
-- Baseball Fever: Early Baseball in Michigan by Peter
Morris
4th of July Baseball Game
This field shows the Arcadia ball field on July 4 probably 1911. (Closeup
view)
The bleachers faced west. In the late afternoon and evening, batters would
look into the sun.
Johnson Band in Summer Uniforms
The Johnson Band was active throughout the holiday festivities.
Bottom Row (Sitting): William Larson, Ernest House
Second Row: August Zielinski, Charles Peek, Joseph Matteson
(standing), William Ebert, Carl Manke
Third Row: Ira Lyons, unknown, unknown, George Weldt
4th of July Festivities
This full-page ad appeared in the Arcadia Booster around 1912 or 1913.
Getting to the Game
In the early 1900's steamships regularly carried passengers from Watervale, Pierport, and beyond. At its peak the Arcadia and Betsey River Railway made regular trips twice a day between Arcadia and Copemish with several stops in between. To handle special events involving neighboring towns, passenger ships and the railway made extra trips.
Arriving by Ship
This photo shows Pere Marquette #8 docking in Arcadia on July 4, 1914.
1900 Excursion
Train for the Game in Copemish
This photo was taken at the crossing in Henry. It shows a
train from the Arcadia and Betsey River Railway used for this occasion to
take fans to and from a baseball game between Arcadia and Copemish.
The score: Arcadia 24, Copemish 22.