Photos courtesy of the Lincoln Park Historical Museum

By Steve Sears

According to Lincoln Park, Michigan Mayor Thomas Karnes, the city he has spent his whole life in has a lot of history. “We came into existence in 1921 as a village, so we’re celebrating 100 years this year, and we became a city in 1925.”

Initially a farming community, deeds to French farmers were given by local Indian tribes. “The date of that signing is interesting because it was 1776, and I think it was July 4 that it was signed over,” says Karnes. “So that’s basically when the English and Europeans started settling in this area.”

Routes 75 and 85 split the five square miles of Lincoln Park, Michigan in half, both roadways running north and south. It’s New Jersey sister, which has about 10,500 residents, is bisected by Route 202, and is roughly 7 square miles. The Michigan Lincoln Park has 30 parks in the town, the primary one being Council Point Park, dating back to almost the mid 1700s when Chief Pontiac and Indians met to plan a Detroit attack. “It was their last stand, trying to get what was their land back again,” says Karnes. “That’s where they had the council, and there is a state marker there. It’s a great walking trail along the Ecorse Creek or Ecorse River, depending on who calls it, and then to the point where you have the Council Point. So, you can walk through where the Native Americans were hundreds of years ago, and there’s soccer fields there and there’s some baseball fields. It’s just a nice place to walk.”

When the auto industry really started taking off, specifically with Henry Ford and the Model T, Lincoln Park became, in Karnes’ words, “a bedroom community for Detroit. They were expanding, relatively close and still are relatively close to downtown, and we were a convenient place to live. So, we’re still primarily residential. We’re over 40,000 people according to the last census.”

Lincoln Park, Michigan has a very diverse population, which is reflected in its eateries “If you’re visiting here,”

says Karnes, who has served as mayor for 8 years, “you have a great opportunity to find varieties of Mexican food. We have at least 8 Mexican restaurants with a couple of new ones opening up. Not only for the Mexican food, though; we also have a Mexican candy store, and then we have Los Arcos, which is a Spanish market and restaurant. If you are of the Hispanic culture and you’re looking for specific things, you can find it here.”

Jeff Day, curator of the Lincoln Park Historical Museum, adds, “We do have some of the old-time restaurants. Actually, our A&W drive thru restaurant and White Castle, those have been around since the 50s.” As for lodging in town, a Sleep Inn in the city is currently under reconstruction, but the neighboring communities of Allen Park and Southgate have many a hotel or motel to rest in while visiting Lincoln Park.

The Lincoln Park Historical Museum opened in 1972, and is located in the original post office building which opened in 1939, which was bought by the historical society in the 1990s. The museum currently has an exhibit on the 1921 incorporation. “We’ve also had our downtown development authority here in Lincoln Park install about 150 street banners on light poles, which celebrates the 100th anniversary as well, with names of various civic organizations and local businesses,” adds Day.

Karnes is proud of the city’s bandshell, which is located near the city’s War Memorial and Kennedy Memorial Building at Memorial Park on Route 85 (Fort Street). “The bandshell is just like a mini version of the Hollywood Bowl. It’s been there since 1964 and various groups have played there. We do a concert series every Thursday night during the summer, so that would be a good time to come. It’s a free concert. You can bring your lawn chairs and just enjoy the music.” He then adds, “Come December, right after Thanksgiving, that same location at the Kennedy Memorial Building turns into Christmas Fantasy Land.” The annual, month-long celebration started in 1964. “People are coming from all around because they grew up there, but they want their kids to see and to take part in what they took part in as a child. It’s a labor of love for a lot of people, but it runs from the end of November right up to Christmas Eve.”

Notable people from Lincoln Park, Michigan include automobile entrepreneur Preston Tucker, creator of the Tucker Sedan, and punk rock band MC5. “Some people say that the MC5 gave a big boost to punk rock. The MC5 band was from Lincoln Park,” says Day, “and they formed in 1965. About six years ago, we had a 50th anniversary celebration for the band. Dennis Thompson the drummer of the band was here for that celebration. We had a big exhibit, and we had a couple concerts. That was a lot of fun, it was a great time.”

More information about Lincoln Park, Michigan can be found at www.citylp.com, and additional information about the Lincoln Hark Historical Society and Museum is located at www.lphistorical.org.