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by Ron Hughes
July 9, 2024
1970 time capsule marker pre-2020 flood in the Sanford Village Park. Photo provided by Rick E. Goodwin.
As a part of the 1970 Sanford Area Centennial celebration festivities, a time capsule was buried in the Sanford Village Park at the base of the flagpole. According to a 2017 article in the Log Marks newsletter, author Rick E. Goodwin reports the burial took place on June 20, 1970, at 3:30 p.m., with the intention that the capsule be opened in June of 2070. It was designed by Eldon Fogelsonger. Inscribed on the top cover of the time capsule were these words:
This Time Capsule Buried
June 1970 As Part Of The
Sanford Area Centennial
Is Not To Be Exhumed Until
June 2070
Eagle Triplex Burial Vault
Fogelsonger Vault Co. Ware Smith Funeral Home
All of that changed with the failure of the Sanford dam and subsequent flooding in 2020.
The time capsule marker was recovered by Sanford Department of Public Works employees and placed into storage until March of 2024, when it was transferred to the Sanford Historical Society and installed at the Sanford Centennial Museum. It now resides on the north side of the main museum building next to the Sanford elementary school corner stone time capsule. DPW workers Danny Dice and Clyde Hulett worked together with SHS President David Haskin to make the move and installation.
Danny Dice and Clyde Hulett working to install the time capsule marker at the Sanford Centennial Museum campus.
When we received the marker, we conducted some research and with the help of Rick Goodwin sharing some Midland Daily News articles and pictures, we found some discrepancies in the size listed and general appearance for the Centennial time capsule vault.
New location for the 1970 centennial time capsule marker at the Sanford Centennial Museum.
Our conclusion is the vault is still buried in the newly restored Sanford Village Park, and the only thing salvaged after the flood was the location marker.
In an email exchange with Dave Haskin, Scott Ware of Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Directors in Midland reported, “The company is no longer in business, but the time capsule is a youth sized burial vault. It is an American Eagle Triplex vault, constructed with an outer wall of concrete, a middle liner of 1/4 inch asphalt, and an inner wall of concrete. The top and bottom are sealed together with butyl asphalt. The cover weighs 600 lbs., the bottom weighs 800 lbs., for a total of 1400 lbs. empty, then add 100-200 lbs. for contents”.
It is unclear what exactly was put inside the time capsule, and it may only be determined when the capsule is opened in 2070.
Dave Haskin supplied some updated information. “If you hit a line drive over pitcher’s mound and second base and caught it 15 feet out in the infield, you would be standing over the time capsule buried in 1970 to open in 2070”.
Dave pursued further research and the pre-2020 flood GIS location of the flagpole is 13,118,306.01 E 792,752.55N or 84.3856694°W 43.6752421°N or 84°23.1399439W 43° 40.5145283N.
Our current plan of action is to add a sign to the marker as to where the vault is located so Sanford residents may open it in 2070.
Overhead image of where the flagpole and 1970 time capsule marker were located before the 2020 flood.
1970 Sanford Centennial Time Capsule Found!
Those who have been following along with the story of the lost Centennial time capsule will be pleased to learn it has been located. As a part of the 1970 Sanford Area Centennial celebration festivities, a time capsule was buried in the Sanford Village Park at the base of the flagpole. The burial took place on June 20, 1970, at 3:30 p.m., with the intention that the capsule be opened in June of 2070.
The top of picture shows painted lines David Haskin Jr assisted in measuring and documenting site with dad.
That all changed with the failure of the Sanford dam and subsequent flooding in 2020. The Sanford Village Park was destroyed along with the flagpole, and only the time capsule marker was recovered by Sanford Department of Public Works Employees. The marker is now located at the Sanford Centennial Museum.
Sanford Historical Society President David Haskin pursued the search of the lost time capsule. In his own words, “The search for a ground penetrating radar company led me to many places, from country roads to Zay Ulrika at the state of Michigan, to finally, Trimedia Environmental and Engineering from Marquette in the Upper Peninsula. Well, at 10:15 a.m. today [Thursday, August 29, 2024] we discovered it 4 feet below the surface as it was placed in 1970.
Dan Trekas (left) and Eric Nault from Trimedia Environmental and Engineering.
“Dan Trekas (left) and Eric Nault showed up, located the coordinates of the flagpole, and went to work. After a crisscrossing grid pattern, then a diagonal, it appeared. If you pull a tape from 2nd base 27 feet 4 inches, and 74 feet 4 inches from 1st plate on ballfield 3 towards Saginaw Road, you’ll be standing center of the vault. We will also document it off catch basins in outfield past the outer fence because as we’ve learned, things change after 50 years.
Dan Trekas (left) and Eric Nault from Trimedia Environmental and Engineering using the ground penetrating radar.
“But once again Sanford, we weren’t beaten and sure enough, it’s found for the future. Thanks to the village board for sharing the expense of this service with the SHS to positively locate this historical time capsule.”
Originally published in the
Midland Daily News on April 14, 1970
To be buried in June at Sanford
Centennial time capsule
SANFORD – The pictures and stories of the past century Sanford Area Centennial book will perhaps seem strange and some even primitive to today’s readers. No doubt when the 1970 Centennial time capsule is unearthed, its contents will be equally as much of a novelty to the populace of 2070.
The time capsule, sponsored by Ware – Smith Funeral Home of Midland and Sanford is a 24 by 54-inch vault weighing 1,100 pounds. It will be buried at the base of the new flagpole in the Sanford village park on Sunday, June 21, the last day of the Centennial festivities. An engraved bronze marker plate, 24 by 48-inches, mounted on a granite tablet above ground, will mark the burial spot.
The capsule contents will be listed in a glassed–in display case, which will be displayed at a yet not determined place.
Suggested items to be placed in the capsule are copies of area governmental charters, school documents including a copy of the policies of the board of education, textbooks and high school student handbooks, catalogues, current magazines, the week’s editions of local newspapers and a Sanford Area Centennial book.
There is ample space for these who would like to enclose an individual or family picture, a letter, information about the family tree, etc., for their grandchildren or great-grandchildren. It has been suggested that one dollar be charged for each envelope, the money to be given to the Centennial Corporation toward the project goal –a permanent Area Museum.
Those who would like to bring any suggestions about the capsule or Centennial – related to activities are invited to attend the weekly meetings on Monday nights at 7:30 p.m. at Meridian junior high school.
Eldon Fogelsonger (center) designed this “time capsule” which will be buried in the village park during the Sanford Area Centennial in June, not to be exhumed until June, 2070. At left is Tom Smith of
Ware-Smith, project sponsors, and, at right, Jerry Woolever. A bronze plaque mounted on granite will mark the spot.
Originally published in the
Midland Daily News on June 22, 1970
Centennial Highlights
SANFORD – A parade more than a mile long highlighted the Sanford Area Centennial the past weekend.
Marching music was provided by the Meridian junior and senior high school bands.
Festivities began Thursday evening with an ox roast, street dance and crowning of the Centennial king and queen, Mr. and Mrs. Perry Rooker, Centennial prince Brad Gordon and princess Kathy Worsley. Friday was Kiddies Day with games and prizes.
Following the parade Saturday, honored guests were presented and at 3:30 p.m., the Centennial Time Capsule was buried at the base of the flag pole in the park, not to be exhumed until June, 2070.
The pageant at Meridian High School Saturday night was one of the highlights of the celebration.
A series of tableaux with accompanying narration and music took the audience on “A Walk Through Yesterday” with scenes of the Indians, first settlers of the five areas of the centennial, lumbering, the “Jam on Garish Rock,” major wars, farming, early churches and schools and the shingle industry. The cast of more than 100 was costumed as authentically as possible.
The official Centennial observance closed Sunday with a country and western jamboree in the afternoon and fireworks at night.
There was a social center at the Riverside school for out-of-town guests.
Visitors came from throughout upper and lower Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin and Indiana. The Sanford Area Museum, also at the Riverside school, drew many visitors.
Stanely Berriman was general chairman of the event. Officers were James Gage, president; Mrs. Donald Good, vice president; Mrs. Lionel Dancer, secretary; Mrs. Harrison Bigelow, treasurer; and Mrs. A. J. Rogers, consignment secretary.
On Saturday, a time capsule was buried at the base of the flagpole in the park – not to be exhumed until June, 2070.
