Fenton Historical Society and The A. J. Phillips Museum

06/21/2026

FENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S DOWNTOWN TROLLEY TOUR
Is next Saturday, June 27, at the Museum at 310 S. Leroy

This is in Celebration of America's 250
The Fenton Historical Society's 90th year
And, 120 years since A. J. Phillips left the museum building to the city in 1906.
In honor of this we will be dressed in 1906 fashion and A. J. will be making an appearance!

⭐️Julie Hussar will be playing the harp in the museum⭐️

Tickets are $5 and available:
~Online at fentonmuseum.ludus.com
~And, Fenton Open Book @ 115 W. Shiawassee; M-Sa 10-5

Please feel free to email us with any questions at: [email protected]

Tours are on the hour and you may choose from:
11-12 THIS TIME SLOT IS NOW SOLD OUT!
12-1 GOING FAST
1-2
2-3 GOING FAST
The tour will begin and end at the Museum.
(We will not be getting off of the Trolley during the tour.)
Don't miss out on this one of a kind event!
*Sponsored by the MTA

06/20/2026

We just got a handsome postcard of LeRoy Street. In 1908, Rosa sent her friend Rose in Detroit the following message: "Dear Rose, I saw no marguerite daisies on the way out but the common field kind are abundant. Am in Fenton and it is beautiful here. Rosa" Enjoy!!!

06/17/2026

Hunting has always been part of Fenton culture. On September 3, 1914, the Flint Journal published, "The duck season, which opened on Wednesday, August 27, is claiming the attention of local sportsmen so much that Fenton Gun Club has been compelled to postpone for a time its weekly meetings. But as soon as the newness of the former has worn off, it is expected that the club will resume its practice. The club has succeeded in creating an interest never before known among local sportsmen and the club has steadily increased in enrollment since its organization a few years ago."

We also found this righteous shot of a successful hunt at Camp Up and Up. Enjoy!!!

06/15/2026

Here is a grab bag of fun historical Fenton photos we found in our phone. Enjoy!!!

06/10/2026

On July 22, 1937, the Fenton Independent published this regarding 3 buildings that would have to go so the Community Center could be built in Fenton:

"Above are shown three buildings which are to be removed eventually to make way for the Community House.

The larger one of the three standing next door to the village hall was used years ago for the bank of the village but of late has been a residence more than anything else. The last person to use it was Mr. Rohm as a barber shop.

The middle building, that which was vacated by the Wander Inn, has been used as a blacksmith shop, a furniture store and a restaurant. These two buildings are among the older brick structures in the village.

The building to the south is that which has just been vacated during the past week by Woodworth Bros. It was erected ten years ago. Prior to that a small wooden building was on this site. It was occupied prior to the purchase by Joe Dorland as a second hand store.

Following the sale of the building, Mr. Dorland moved to Detroit where he passed away.

In 1927 Woodworth Bros. started the er****on of this fine building which they have sold and moved to nice quarters on the south side of the river.

The two bulidings to the north have considerable history which we should like to have and would appreciate it if one who is conversant with the history of the buildings which will give us the facts."

Nearly 80 years we would still love it if one who is conversant with the history of the buildings would give us the facts!!! Enjoy!!!
--
Michael D. Vizard
(810)287-9915

06/08/2026

Fenton's got horses!!! We just got an old postcard of a racehorse who lived in Fenton after retirement from competition. His name was "No Double"!!!

The back of the postcard says, "NO DOUBLE. #706, 734 by Three Bars. Out of Miss Boundaway AAA. Grand Champion at halter, ROM in performance. For conformation, color, bloodlines and class... he has NO DOUBLE. Brookwood Quarter Horses, Inc.-- 9851 Clyde Rd., at U.S. 23 X Way, Fenton, Michigan 48430. Bob Smithers, Mgr. Phone (313)632-5115."

There he is to be admired: The gorgeous "No Double." Enjoy!!!

06/01/2026

Here's a curious tidbit from the Fenton Independent, published January 31, 1952, "The cash registers at the D&C Store were rifled one night last week. There was no evidence of a break-in, and it is assumed that the thief hid somewhere in the store before closing time, then left by way of the back door. A small amount in pennies was taken. No merchandise was missing." Enjoy!!!

05/26/2026

Very cool!!! Colwell Opera House began in Fenton, and was moved brick by brick to Crossroads Village.

In the midst of celebrating 50 years of Crossroads Village, we also get to honor the people who helped shape its history along the way. While not everyone has been here since opening day, one very important part of our story is Baffling Bill the Magician.

Bill’s first performance at the village was on May 22, 1986, discovered in an old newspaper clipping. Now, 40 years later, we recreated that very photo and one thing is still the same...Bill is still here dazzling guests and creating memories at Crossroads Village!

05/26/2026

We just got our hands on this sweet group photo. No idea who is in it, but the back says it is "From Fred K." to "J.B. Dexter, Fenton, Michigan."

We did some digging, and J.B. Dexter made the news... twice!

The Flint Journal reported July 29, 1915, "J.B. Dexter, son of Joseph Dexter of Tyrone met with an accident Monday when the rip saw broke and hit him in the face."

Proving that nothing that happens is ever truly forgotten, on July 26, 1945 the Fenton Courier published, "30 YEARS AGO... J.B. Dexter of Tyrone who has been teaching in Clyde, was hit by a piece of board set flying by a buzz saw last Monday and is now carrying a wound across his face."

Let's hope we are all remembered for something as cool as that!!! Enjoy!!!

05/25/2026

TOMORROW IS THE DAY!
PLEASE JOIN US SUNDAY, JUNE 7TH AT 4:30 AT THE MUSEUM
We will be welcoming DR. MIKE HEBERLING who will be presenting a talk on "SHIPWRECKS IN THE MICHIGAN GREAT LAKES"
This will be a free event.

*Mike is a beloved returning speaker and storyteller.
Some of you may remember him from his captivating historical accounting of the Flint-Beecher Tornado, in 2025.
Either way, you won't want to miss this!