WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
South Erie Street is not found starting at W. Michigan Ave. but after Millard Street. The area at West Michigan (bordered on the north by McDonald’s parking lot) was once Bill Barnhardt’s race track for training the trotting horses he bred. Later carnivals and side shows used the area. Then it became The Village Mobile Home Court owned by William John Roberts and wife Marlene. Filling the space to Millard Street were sixty-three mobile homes in 1985.
Across Millard St. in 1985 at #325 S. Erie is Walnut Meadows owned by Robert Britigan & Co., #325 Erie which has been joined by other apartment complexes. #517 So. Erie was Three Rivers Manor in 1985 and now is The Optalis Health & Rehabilitation Assisted Living Facility. In1990 #633 Kallan Nandihalli M.D. Physician & Surgeon Office (wife Chitra ch; Reena, Nayan), #655 Mutnal Medical Center, Bas Mutnal internal medicine (wife Lalitha anesthesiologist) ch: Mar. #708 M.A. Cook (opr Gen Tel) ch: Shounette, Alzin, Juanita.
Between South Erie and Health Parkway at Broadway is the Three Rivers water tower and the H.C. Gleason and L.C. Beal Park. The land was donated to the City of Three Rivers by Jim Gleason in remembrance of his father, H.C. Gleason and his uncle, L. Charles Beal. The Beal and Gleason families were dairy farmers. The two baseball fields have been maintained by the Little League and the Fraternal Order of Police for many years.
Since August 1989 Health Parkway is the third home to Three Rivers Hospital. The second hospital opened in 1927 at 214 Spring St. The building was razed during the summer of 2023. The first hospital was started at 905 N. Main St. The third floor of the Bonnie Castle which was the home of Dr. James Kingsley was converted into a hospital in 1915. Various epidemics of malaria 1827-1840, influenza epidemic 1918-1919, and the polio epidemic 1945, are a few nation wide issues that our brave doctors, nurses, other hospital staff and volunteers worked through. Churches and fraternal halls were filled with cots to care for the ill as the number of patients needing care was so great. The Health Trac and other doctors and dentists offices on Health Parkway help people get better and keep fit. Remember to tell all who help you get well and stay well how much you appreciate them.
Next time: Starting on Fourth Ward – East Michigan Ave.
Submitted by Anna Smith, a Three Rivers history and mystery lover.
