Writer - Frank Passic • Albion Michigan - General Guide to the Community

Writer - Frank Passic

Albion’s First Decoration Day – Historical Reflections by Frank Passic

May 29, 2025

In honor of Memorial Day 2025, we are pleased to share a column from local historian Frank Passic, first published in the Morning Star on

Washington Gardner School – by Frank Passic

October 16, 2021

Washington Gardner School – From 1872-2011, a school has sat on E. Michigan Avenue as a landmark where thousands of pupils have been educated and

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS HISTORICAL MARKER DESTROYED – by Frank Passic

April 5, 2021

That Cross marker stood there for sixty-one years as one of Albion’s “claim to fame,” until 2020, when it was hit by a vehicle and

ALBION BAND SHELL SCULPTURE ARTIST DISCOVERED! – by Frank Passic

July 10, 2020

This has been a mystery for many years: Who designed the two musical sculpture reliefs on the Band Shell in Victory Park? Morning Star, September

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME – WRITTEN IN ALBION – by Frank Passic

April 15, 2020

The Old Rugged House Rev. Bennard once quipped, “I’ve been introduced as the author of ‘The Old Gray Mare,’ ‘The Old Oaken Bucket,’ and ‘Rock

“THE OLD RUGGED CROSS” WRITTEN IN ALBION – by Frank Passic

April 4, 2020

The Old Rugged House In 1912 Rev. Bennard lived in an apartment at the home of Professor Delos Fall (formerly the Andrew Mason Fitch house),

Censor Theatre Early Albion Cinema – by Frank Passic

March 28, 2020

Censor Theatre, Albion, Mich, 1916 The first “talkie” movie that came to Albion was shown at the Censor Theatre in May, 1929; it was a

The Recorder Newspaper – by Frank Passic

March 26, 2020

THE ALBION RECORDER HAS BEEN AROUND A LOT LONGER THAN YOU THINK Albion Recorder, October 4, 2001, pp. 2, 37 As the Recorder begins a

Old Downtown Postcard – by Frank Passic

March 19, 2020

Photo card from circa 1907 by the acclaimed photographer Pesha who went all over Michigan producing picture postcards. Morning Star, December 16, 2012, pg 17

Depression Era Parade – by Frank Passic

March 5, 2020

Morning Star, June 28, 1994, pg 17 Following the stock market crash in 1929, major financial reverses occurred in this country. There were bank failures,

UNION STEEL ARMY-NAVY “E” AWARD – by Frank Passic

March 5, 2020

Massive Army-Navy “E” Excellence Award Presentation Ceremony Wednesday, May 5, 1943 Morning Star, November 23, 1997, pg. 12 It certainly was good news to hear

The Merger – by Frank Passic

March 5, 2020

Morning Star, June 30, 2002, pg. 16 With the recent shocking and historically pivotal announcement of the closing of Harvard Industries/Hayes-Albion, the year 2002 has

A UNION STEEL PRODUCTS SALUTE TO VETERANS – by Frank Passic

March 5, 2020

Morning Star, November 4, 2007, pg. 18 With next Sunday, November 11 being Veteran’s Day, we are reminded of the dwindling number of World War

FROM BOMBS TO FLOWERS – by Frank Passic

March 4, 2020

Morning Star, October 3, 2014, pg. 22 If you read this article before Sunday afternoon, be sure and come to my annual guided tour of

UNION STEEL INDEX – including stories by Frank Passic

March 4, 2020

Union Steel was the world’s largest manufacturer of oven and broiler pan shelves More articles that mention Frank Passic from this website. See much more

Starr Commonwealth 100 Year Anniversary – by Frank Passic

February 27, 2020

Morning Star, February 24, 2012, pg. 16 One of Albion’s most revered institutions will be celebrating a very big anniversary later this year. It was

The Pagoda (Little Red Lunch Box) – by Frank Passic

February 27, 2020

Morning Star, February 17, 2002, pg. 11 There’s a business in town that is 75 years old this year and doesn’t know it yet. Let

1901 GEORGE DEAN SIDEWALKS – by Frank Passic

February 5, 2020

G. E. DEAN 1901 Sidewalk Stamp Morning Star, June 14, 1998, pg. 2 I’d like to add an historical footnote to my article on the

UNION STEEL ORIGINALLY LOCATED JUST WEST OF DOWNTOWN ALBION – by Frank Passic

February 4, 2020

First Albion Union Steel Location in 1905 Albion Recorder, November 17, 1997, pg. 4-A The recent announcement that the City of Albion will be receiving

Purple Gang – Part 2 – by Frank Passic

January 31, 2020

THE PURPLE GANG, PART 2 Morning Star, December 15, 1996, pg. 21 (Continued from December 8, 1996). The Fleishers also rented an auto stall in

Beverly Cunningham at Falling Waters Park dedication 1994

FALLING WATERS PARK (Spring Arbor)

January 21, 2020

Beverly Cunningham at Falling Waters Park dedication 1994 From our Historical Notebook this week we present a photograph of Beverly Cunningham, standing next to the

Purple Gang – Part 1 – by Frank Passic

January 13, 2020

THE PURPLE GANG, PART I Morning Star, December 8, 1996, pg. 21 This is my long-awaited and overdue article(s) about the infamous Purple Gang. To

UNION STEEL PRODUCTS SITE – by Frank Passic

January 3, 2020

Union Steel, Huron Street Location Morning Star, March 10, 2002, pg. 19 It was good to see the big turnout on February 26 by citizens

UNION STEEL PRODUCTS – by Frank Passic

March 3, 2019

Union Steel from above Morning Star, April 16, 2000, pg. 16 We take time here this week to note the current demolition of the Union

Even the most casual of readers will find these articles educational, more than a little interesting, and often amusing.

Did you know that Cascarelli’s used to be a fruit stand?

An Albion native, Frank Passic is a 1971 graduate of Albion High School and has been writing Albion history articles since 1976.

Did you know that Albion College once had numerous fraternity and sorority houses that dotted the campus?

Did you know that the Great Flood of 1908 wiped out numerous downtown Albion businesses?

Did you know about the sheep massacre by two Albion dogs in 1913?

These and other postcard photographs are featured in Albion Historian Frank Passic’s brand new book, Albion Postcards.

This book is part of the Postcard History Series published by Arcadia Press… 230 historical Albion postcards, including two of Maggie LaNoue’s own artistic creations!

This is the web version of the writings of Frank Passic, including the weekly columns that appear in the Morning Star Shopper, Albion Recorder, The Mich-Matist, and other articles Mr. Passic has written in various publications about Albion history. Even the most casual of readers will find these articles educational, more than a little interesting, and often amusing.

An Albion native, Frank Passic is a 1971 graduate of Albion High School and has been writing Albion history articles since 1976. He is the author of several books including Albion in Review, and Growing Up in Albion. His writings can be seen here: www.albionmich.com/history/histor_notebook.