1930's

COWS PRODUCE AVERAGE OF 12,804 POUNDS OF MILK EACH DURING PAST YEAR

   An unusually high average according to the reports just completed are shown by the Wayne County Training School dairy herd in milk and butterfat production for the past year according to Joseph Cook who is herdsman at the school.

The average amount of milk produced from each cow during the year 1929 was 13,804 pounds. The average amount of butter fat per cow for the same period was a fraction over 405 pounds.

   

Nineteen cows in this group of high producers were heifers with first calves.

   Charievoix Ormsby Zepher a registred Holstien has just finished a seven day test with the followig record 580 pounds of milk and 2803 pounds of butter fat.

   The Wayne County Training School herd during the past 2 or 3 years has become one of the best known herd of Holstien in Michigan as well result of the high average milk and butter fat production.

Northville Record February 28 1930

During the 1930's, numerous WPA projects were carried out at the Training School. The addition of two wings, estimated cost of $18,000, was approved as a WPA project in 1935.

On August 10, 1936, Disaster struck on this date when a fire began in the hay mow stored in the barn. Spontanious combustion in the chopped hay was believed to have been the cause of the fire. Although the fire departments from the Detroit House of Corrections, the Village of Northville, and the City of Plymouth responded with "commendable speed" in sending apperatus and firemen to assist the training school department with fighting the blaze, the fire destroyed the entire hay loft and destroyed the roof of the barn. Additional losses in the blaze was 160 tons winter hay valued at $8,000. Wayne County repaired all the damages completely after the fire at a cost of $17,559.

Due to the fire hazard created by the extensive use of wood in the old roof, the new one ws designed to be highly fire resistant, utilizing steel framework, a material called "Thermax" and a quarter inch coat of cement plaster. Work on the roof replacement was completed in January, 1937.

Image Gallery

17th Wayne County Fair

Credit: Northville Historical Society

25th Wayne County Fair

Credit: Northville Historical Society

Circa 1978

The Dairy Barn, like all other farm operations at the Wayne County Training school was used as a training center for the schools residents. Involving the youth in farming activities was regarded as "a character building and vocational training projects."

Photo: Northville Historical Society

Circa 1978

The Dairy Barn was abandoned in January, 1952 when completely new dairy center was built, incorporating modern methods for herd care, milking and processing.The Dairy Barn was then used for storage.

Photo: Northville Historical Society

1981 State Of Michigan Historcial Survey

Credit: State of Michigan

1981 State Of Michigan Historcial Survey

Credit: State of Michigan

1981 State Of Michigan Historcial Survey

Credit: State of Michigan

1981 State Of Michigan Historcial Survey

Credit: State of Michigan

1981 State Of Michigan Historcial Survey

Credit: State of Michigan

1981 State Of Michigan Historcial Survey

Credit: State of Michigan

1981 State Of Michigan Historcial Survey

Credit: State of Michigan

Michigan History Division Letter August 18 1981

Credit: State of Michigan

Michigan History Division Letter August 18 1981

Credit: State of Michigan

October 30 1985

Credit: Northville Record

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