Name/Title
Ganges Band/Eagle HouseEntry/Object ID
2023.10.375Description
Card with b/w photos glued to each side.
Side 1 is image of a horse-drawn wagon loaded with eleven musicians. Most are holding brass instruments. A large bass drum is handing off the back of the wagon.
This image was featured as History Mystery #5 with the text: This band is still unknown. Both Saugatuck and Douglas had bands in the 1870s, and it could have been one of those. A digital scan of the photo has the caption "Ganges Band on the way to cemetery Memorial Day - year unknown."
The following information was gleaned from the Commercial Record by Bill Kemperman:
5-17-78 Ganges is to have a brass band
5-31-78 Ganges Band. -- About 4 years ago the Glenn Cornet Band made a grand debut, and is still prospering. Now the Union Cornet Band comes to the front with ten mouth pieces. It will be under the direction of Gus Hay, well known in these parts for his musical abilities. The band consists of the following members: Gus Hay, E Flat: Aurthur Goodrich, 2d E Flat; O. Goodrich, B Flat; E. O'Brien Jr. B Flat ; G. Goodrich, 1st Alto; John Whitbeck, 2d Alto; Will Billings, 1st Tenor; David Hutchings, 2d Tenor; Fred Goodrich, Baritone; G. O'Brien, Bass ; H. Hutchins, Bass Drum; Charles Loomis, Snare Drum. The material of which the band is composed is an evidence that the famous Saugatuck and Glenn Bands are soon to have a rival.
6-7-78 The Union Cornet Band is now ready for business and anyone wishing to obtain their services can do so by addressing August Hay, leader, Douglas or E. O'Brien, Sec'y, Fennville.
7-12-78 The Ganges Union Band will give an excursion on the R. C. Brittain to Mich. City in about 2 weeks.
THERE IS NO MENTION OF ANY MORE BANDS IN GANGES, AFTER 1878 YOUR BAND WAGON PHOTO IS MOST LIKELY TAKEN IN 1878 AND THE REAR " EAGLE HSE" IN 1877 OR 1878. NEAT!
BILL K.
Side 2 has image of men standing outside a large Greek Revival building with a sign that says "Eagle House." Later, this hotel was renamed the Douglas House. It was built in circa 1862, 1864 and stood at 47 West Center Street. The building burned in Feb. 1934, but a portion was saved and turned into a residence. Remnants are still on that block after being moved one lot to the south at 19 South Washington. Another historic home, the Randall/Saldivar Gerber cottage was moved to Douglas House site at 15 South Washington in the early 2000s.Photograph Details
Type of Photograph
Print, photographSubject Person or Organization
19 S. Washington/Douglas House and Tavern/Eagle Hotel/Wades HotelCollection
Music: concerts, festivals, performances, Buildings: LostCataloged By
Winthers, SallyAcquisition
Accession
2023.10Acquisition Method
Found in CollectionNotes
These photos were published by Jack Sheridan for Commercial Record "History Mystery" features.Location
Box
075 Historical PhotographsGeneral Notes
Note
These image(s) were copied from the SDHC photo blog [or the Jack Sheridan drive if that was a superior version] in preparation for updating the SDHC website in 2023.Create Date
November 6, 2023Update Date
November 8, 2025
