A Fan-Favorite Detroit Tiger Was from This Michigan Village
Breckenridge was founded in 1872 when the Pere Marquette Railroad came through the area. It was incorporated as a village in 1908.
FAST FACTS:
1860: Charles Howd claims 240 acres of what is now Breckenridge
1872: Railroad comes through 1882: Schoolhouse built
1893: First graduating senior class (five students)
1900: Sugar beet industry takes hold
1908: Incorporated as a village
1916: New building for senior high students
1959: Elementary school built
1966: New middle school & high school built
During the mid-late 1800s, Breckenridge had a blacksmith, depot, general store, hoop factory, hotel, sawmill & oar factory, and stave mill.
Breckenridge does have at least one famous, well-known son...especially to baseball fans. Former Detroit Tiger outfielder Jim Northrup.
Jim was born in Breckenridge in 1939 on a small farm west of town. When the family moved six miles away to another Michigan town, St. Louis, Jim visited Breckenridge every summer to stay at his grandparents’ farm.
After graduating from St. Louis high, Jim went to Alma college and became a star at five different sports: baseball, basketball, football, golf, and track.....but baseball was his love. Before signing with the Tigers in 1964, he was made offers by the Chicago Bears and NY Titans. He made Rookie of the Year in 1964 and stayed with the Tigers for ten years, thus cementing his status as one of the Tigers’ most memorable – and favorite – players.
The gallery below features a good handful of vintage photos of Breckenridge going back over 100 years...
Vintage Photos of Breckenridge: 1890s-1913
MORE VINTAGE MICHIGAN TOWNS: