Someone told me there was a time capsule in Bliss Park from the Civil War. Naturally curiosity kicked in and I had to find out if it was true. With a trip to Hoyt Library and a little research I found out lots of interesting Information.
In the fall of 1864 the 29th Infantry Regiment of the Union army was formed with volunteer soldiers from around the Saginaw Valley. They mustered from August 5th to October 6th With 856 soldiers and officers they camped in the area called Butchers Woods, which became Bliss Park on Michigan Ave. October 24 1864 they arrived in Tennessee and fought the first of 10 battles before they were disbanded on Sept 6th 1865.
50 years later on October 24th 1914 some of the surviving members and the citizens of the City of Saginaw placed a boulder in Bliss Park with a plaque to remember their contributions to the war. The front Page of the Saginaw Daily News reported on the ceremony, and describes the school children singing songs, speeches given by notable dignitaries and a “copper box” placed into the boulder behind the plaque. Inside the box was placed some photographs and a copy of the book “Michigan In The War” along with the records of the City Of Saginaw Parks Department and some Newspapers from the time.
This October 26th it will be 100 years since the copper box was placed in its memorial. Think about it, in that time its been there, its gone thru, prohibition, the Great Depression, watched the hospital grow, seen the rise and decline of the auto industry in Saginaw, and I can only imagine the weather it has endured including the frigid winter we just survived. I wonder what those paper items look like being in that copper box all these years. Hopefully the historical society or some organization and the City can come up with a plan to do something to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 29th Regiments first battle, and the 100th anniversary of the memorial.
I want to thank the librarians at Hoyt Library for helping me find the information
here is an update on the display of the contents at the Castle Museum http://puresaginaw.com/time-capsule-artifacts-revealed-castle-museum-new-exhibit/