Disco was once a bustling village situated at the intersection of 24 Mile (Whiskey Road) and Van Dyke in Shelby Township, boasting two general stores, three wagon shops, two blacksmith shops, one harness shop, one paint shop, and the famous Halfway House hotel which was established when the town was platted in 1849. It also housed a wooden bowl factory, feed mill, cider mill, and planing mill, plus was home to Mrs. J. Satler, the postmaster, and the Concord Coach Line, providing transportation from Royal Oak to Almont. Disco served its community for many years before it slowly faded away, though there are still remnants of its history remaining.
The once thriving community of Disco, located at the intersection of 24 Mile (Whiskey Road) and Van Dyke in Shelby Township, was platted in 1849. It is believed that its name has two possible derivations - either from the Latin "Discare": to learn, or the District of Columbia. Nowadays, all that is left to remind us of this vibrant village are a few old homes and its namesake on county road maps.
Disco was a bustling town, boasting two general stores, three wagon shops, two blacksmith shops, one harness shop, one paint shop, and the famous Halfway House hotel. It was home to a wooden bowl factory, feed mill, cider mill, and planning mill, providing plenty of employment opportunities for the locals. Mrs. J. Satler served as Postmaster, ensuring daily mail delivery, while the Concord Coach Line provided transportation from Royal Oak to Almont, making Disco a convenient stopover point. Although no longer in operation, this remarkable village has left a lasting impression on Shelby Township and its history.
In 1850, inspired by the success of Romeo Academy, Issac Monfort, Chauncey Church, and John Noyes generously donated 10 acres of land and $1,000 to build a place of higher learning: Macomb County High School. Under the leadership of Principal Alonzo M. Keeler, the school's purpose was to prepare young men as teachers and it was renamed Disco Academy in 1855. Tragically, the original building burned down in 1880 and had to be replaced. After 53 years of use, the Shelby School District purchased the facility from the Disco Literary Society for $400 and became the sole owner. Now a part of Shelby Township's history, Disco has been remembered for its bustling atmosphere with two general stores, three wagon shops, two blacksmith shops, one harness shop, one paint shop, the Halfway House hotel, a wooden bowl factory, feed mill, cider mill, and planing mill, all providing employment opportunities for the locals. Mrs. J. Satler served as Postmaster, ensuring daily mail delivery, while the Concord Coach Line provided transportation from Royal Oak to Almont, making Disco a convenient stopover point.
Two buildings existed as part of Shelby School # 6, both at the center of the community. The larger building was used by religious groups while movies were shown in the back of one of the buildings. After being moved three times, the last remaining building eventually rested behind the newly constructed Disco Elementary School before ultimately being torn down. With the generous donations from its founders, the ambitiousness of Principal Keeler, and the hardworking tenacity of the local population, Disco Academy stood strong for over a century, making it a source of pride for the citizens of Shelby Township.
The Mennonite Church in the Disco area was a thriving center of worship until the early 1930s when it was reconstructed into a home and moved a little further east and to the north side of the road. During Prohibition, the current McClenaghan's, formerly known as Ichabod's Bar south of 24 Mile on Van Dyke, served as a blind pig called the Yellow Canary, and Disco was proudly dubbed 'Whiskey Center'. The reputation of this area was solidified by the fact that a half barrel of beer could be obtained from a Utica distillery for only $8.00 - an indication of how much of a pastime this truly was.
In conclusion, Disco was a remarkable village that has left a lasting impression on Shelby Township and its history. The vibrant community began as a stopover point and grew inspiring thriving businesses bustling with life. The credentials education institution dedicated to the young people of the area Disco Academy helped bolster the village's reputation and assistance in teaching the citizens abstinence living - all while providing access to services like daily mail delivery and transportation between areas. Today, we may only have road maps as our reminder of DiscoVillage's existence, however, the legacy of this charming Upload Imagevillage remains embedded within the hearts of those who have been a part of its unique weaving story.
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