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INFORMATION TO USERS This dissertation was produced from a microfilm copy of the original document. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the original submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or patterns which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or "target" for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is "Missing Page(s)". If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting thru an image and duplicating adjacent pages to insure you complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a large round black mark, it is an indication that the photographer suspected that the copy may have moved during exposure and thus cause a blurred image. You will find a good image of the page in the adjacent frame. 3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., was part of the material being photographed the photographer followed a definite method in "sectioning" the material. It is customary to begin photoing at the upper left hand corner of a large sheet and to continue photoing from left to right in equal sections with a small overlap. If necessary, sectioning is continued again - beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete. 4. The majority of users indicate that the textual content is of greatest value, however, a somewhat higher quality reproduction could be made from "photographs" if essential to the understanding of the dissertation. Silver prints of "photographs" may be ordered at additional charge by writing the Order Department, giving the catalog number, title, author and specific pages you wish reproduced. University Microfilms 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor. Michigan 48106 A Xerox Education Company 73-5410 JOHNSON, Howard George, 1943- THE FRANCONIAN COLONIES OF THE SAGINAW VALLEY, MICHIGAN: A STUDY IN HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. Michigan State University, Ph.D., 1972 Geogranhy University Microfilms, A XEROX Company, Ann Arbor, Michigan © Copyright by HOWARD GEORGE JOHNSON THE FRANCONIAN COLONIES OF THE SAGINAW VALLEY, MICHIGAN: A STUDY IN HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY By Howard George Johnson A THESIS Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Geography 1972 PLEASE NOTE: Some pages may have indistinct print. Filmed as received. University Microfilms, A Xerox Education Company ABSTRACT THE FRANCONIAN COLONIES OF THE SAGINAW VALLEY, MICHIGAN: A STUDY IN HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY By Howard George Johnson This study deals with four Gentian Lutheran communities which originated in Bavaria and were transplanted into the Saginaw Valley of Michigan between 1845 and 1850. The study has three major emphases: (1) to determine major elements of the Franconian culture prior to the emigration to Michigan; (2) to describe and evaluate the development of each settlement's cultural landscape to 1970; and (3) to determine which factors enabled the Franconians to maintain their cultural heri­ tage despite a lack of topographic isolation from other culture groups in the Valley. The hypothesis is set forth that the key unifying ele­ ments were the Lutheran Church and the Franconians' agricultural heritage. An analysis of the Nuremberg area from which the Franconians emigrated and the Saginaw Valley to which they came show few similar­ ities in terms of physical qualities or land use patterns. The strength of the Church as a unifying element is seen in many ways. The Church provided the in itia l motivation for establishing the colonies; the Church was the social organization through which com­ munity responsibilities and regulations were determined; parochial education was required in each of the settlements and through the years generated numerous pastors and parochial teachers; a majority of the citizens of each of the townships in which the colonies were located belong to the Franconian congregations despite the presence of numerous churches of other denominations. That the agricultural background of the colonists is a unifying element is supported by the following facts. Each colony attempted to become a profit-oriented agricultural entity from its inception; the growth of each settlement's population appears closely related to the availability of good farmland and the ease with which land could be cleared and drained; the citizens of each of the settlements remain keenly aware of the agricultural economic base which supports them; when commerce was introduced into the settlements, the fir s t to take hold was related to agricultural needs and production. Other factors played less important roles in maintaining the Franconian heritage. The German language declined in use rapidly following World War I I , but prior to that time served as an unintentional barrier between the Franconians and other culture groups in the Valley. Certain families and individuals were instrumental in shaping the future of the settlements and in taking steps to preserve their heritage. Differential development among the four settlements is thought to be related to advantages or disadvantages of location. Conclusions drawn from the study indicate potential growth for Frankenmuth and Richville, stagnation for Frankentrost, and elimination of Frankenlust. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author gratefully acknowledges Daniel Jacobson, Clarence Vinge, and Roger Trindell for their advice and counseling during the preparation of this document. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES.............................................................................................................. v LIST OF FIGURES...............................................................................................................vi CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 1 Review of the Literature Research Aims Methodology The Study Area I I . THE FRANCONIAN HERITAGE............................................................................... 14 The Physical Setting Material Culture Traits Non-material Culture Traits I I I . THE SAGINAW VALLEY PRIOR TO 1845 ......................................................... 25 The Physical Setting The Cultural Setting IV. THE FRANCONIAN COLONIES, 1845-1855 .............................................. 38 Conception, Motivation, Implementation Introduction of Franconian Culture to the Saginaw Valley Frankenmuth (41) Frankentrost (59) Frankenlust (68) Frankenhilf (78) V. THE FRANCONIAN COLONIES, 1856-1920 ................................................... 85 Frankenmuth (86) Frankentrost (96) Frankenlust (100) Frankenhilf (104) i i i VI. THE FRANCONIAN COLONIES, 1921-1970 ................................................. 108 Frankenmuth (109) Frankentrost (122) Frankenlust (125) Frankenhilf (Richville) (127) V II. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS..................................................................... 132 BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................................................................................................. 143 APPENDIX A .................................................................................................................. 153 APPENDIX B .................................................................................................................. 156 APPENDIX C ................................................................................................................. 158 iv LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Monthly Temperature and Precipitation Data for Nuremberg, Germany and Saginaw, Michigan ........................................................... 17 2. Number of Souls in the Franconian Congregations, 1845-55 . 45 3. Commercial Activity in Frankenmuth, 1856-1920 .............................. 90 4. Number of Souls in the Franconian Congragations for Selected Years Between 1856 and 1920 94 5. Commercial Activity in Frankentrost, 1856-1920 98 6. Commercial Activity in Frankenlust, 1856-1920 .............................. 101 7. Commercial Activity in Frankenhilf (R ichville), 1856-1920 . 105 8. Commercial Activity in Frankenmuth, 1921-70 .................................. I l l 9. Number of Souls in the Franconian Communities for Selected Years Between 1920 and 1970 119 10. Number of Residential Units by Type in Frankenmuth, 1954-71 . 120 11. Membership of Franconian Congregations as a Percentage of Township Population for Frankenmuth, Blumfield, Frankenlust and Denmark Townships, 1860-1970 121 12. Natives and Descendants of Natives of Franconian Congrega­ tions in Church-Related Occupations, 1845-1969 122 13. Commercial Activity in Richville (Frankenhilf), 1921-70 . 130 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. The Franconian Colonies and Neighboring Settlements in Michigan's Saginaw Valley, 1970 ............................................... 12 2. Settlement and Land Use in Frankenmuth, Michigan, 1855 . 44 3. Settlement and Land Use in Frankentrost, Michigan, 1920 & 1970 62 4. Mission Colonies as Portrayed by Wilhelm Loehe, 1848 .... 63 5. Settlement and Land Use in Frankenlust, Michigan, 1855 . 72 6. Settlement and Land Use in Frankenhilf (Richville), Michigan, 1855 & 1920 81 7. Settlement and Land Use in Frankenmuth, Michigan, 1920 . 89 8. Settlement and Land Use in Frankenlust, Michigan, 1920 . 102 9. Settlement and Land Use in Frankenmuth, Michigan,

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