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St. Johns Bicycle Band The photo above was the December 2005 Image of the Month. While a striking image, little contextual information was available. Readers with insight were asked to contact the Archives of Michigan. Fortunately, our pleas were answered. Several individuals responded - some with direct information and others with leads. Now, a history of the St. Johns Bicycle Band can be told! According to the Clinton County Republican-News Centennial Issue (published in 1956), the St. Johns Bicycle Band existed from 1886 to 1891 and usually consisted of about twenty pieces. Robert G. Steel is identified as both the band's sponsor and its drum major. (The issue also notes that Steel's father built the Steel Hotel in St. Johns.) Dewitt Hunt, the last surviving member, recalled that "the band appeared in numerous parades and civic functions throughout Michigan." (Clinton County Republican-News Centennial Issue, 1956, pg. 5). In an earlier interview, Hunt also claimed that the band had gained some fame and was asked to join the Barnum and Bailey circus parade. Hunt noted that the offer was declined, as the young band members' parents wouldn't permit them to travel. (Clinton County Republican-News, August 8, 1955, pg. 3). The Republican-News Centennial Issue includes photos of band members (pg. 6). Two of these photos appear here. As previously stated, the drum player above is George Woodruff. Now, we can also identify the baritone player below as Charles Fowler. On behalf of the Archives of Michigan, I'd like to extend special thanks to the Clinton County Historical Society. CCHS sent photocopies of the Clinton County Republican-News articles cited above. Those wishing more information on the Society can click Clinton County Historical Society to visit their Web site. I'd also like to extend special thanks to Mr. Frank Stasa III. Mr. Stasa is a member of W.P. Cyclone's Magnificent High Wheel Band. W.P. Cyclone's is a living history group based in Carleton, Michigan. They are modeled after the St. Johns Bicycle Band! Further information can be found at the band's Web site. Click W.P. Cyclone's Magnificent High Wheel Band to visit it. (As an aside, I asked Mr. Stasa if the high wheel bikes were difficult to ride. He answered in the affirmative. He explained that you can never coast and that the band would only play in flat areas. He also said that it "takes about one hour" to learn how to ride them and another three hours to learn how to ride them and play an instrument! I found that interesting, and I thank Mr. Stasa for the description.)
-Bob Garrett, Archivist (E-mail: garrettr1@michigan.gov)
(Below is the original text for this page. It was uploaded on December 1, 2005 - B.G.) The bicycle has been with us for a long time. The basic concept dates at least as far back as the 1790's. At that time, a Frenchman named M. de Sivrac invented the "celerifere." This was essentially a sort of "hobby horse" - two wheels on a wooden frame designed to resemble a horse. The celerifere even had a padded saddle! In 1817, a German named Baron von Drais designed something similar. His version, however, included a steerable wheel. Self-propulsion became easier with the addition of pedals and front-wheel cranks. It's unclear who invented these features or when they were first combined. In any case, the 1860's saw the introduction of the "velocipede," which included both. This had a wooden frame and wooden wheels with iron tires. Naturally, it didn't provide a particularly smooth ride and was soon popularly known as a "bone crusher." Other innovations came gradually over the next few years. Advances in metallurgy allowed for lighter metal frames. Rubber tires were added. Front wheels became larger and back wheels became smaller, and "high wheelers" (like those pictured above) were introduced around 1870. Why did old bicycles have such large front wheels? Simply put - speed. The pedals and cranks were still attached to the front wheel (Chains and sprockets were much later innovations). Thus, the larger the wheel, the greater the rotation and the greater the distance traveled. (…and yes, riders did sometimes fall. The phrase "taking a header" originates with high wheel bikes. Falling riders usually landed on their heads, because they were above the center of gravity.) Information for this article was taken from Robert A. Smith's A Social History of the Bicycle (New York: American Heritage Press, 1972) and also from the Pedaling History Bicycle Museum's web site. A copy of the book can be obtained at the Library of Michigan, while the Pedaling History Bicycle Museum site can be accessed at http://www.pedalinghistory.com/PHhistory.html Cyclists might enjoy touring the scenic bike trail of Michigan's State Parks. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources web site includes a bike trail guide. Web surfers can access it by clicking here: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_16816-39693--,00.html The Archives of Michigan collects and houses original unpublished materials on our state's cultural heritage. The Archives works to strengthen its holdings in traditionally strong subjects (e.g., lumbering, politics, the military and women and minorities) while also expanding into newer areas. Items documenting "popular" cultural activities - such as cycling and playing music - will also be preserved. Anyone with original historic materials to contribute is urged to call the Archives of Michigan at (517) 373-1408 or send an e-mail to archives@michigan.gov
Click Archives of Michigan to visit the Archives of Michigan home page. Click Image of the Month Archives for other archived image pages. Archives of Michigan This page was the Archives of Michigan "Image of the Month" page for December 2005. Updated 05/12/2006 Michigan
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