Oral History - John S. Bennett - Mayor (1908-12)

Harmony in the city family was the main thing which marked the administration of John S. Bennett, who served two terms as mayor of the city beginning in 1908.

“During the four years I was mayor Lansing was in a prosperous condition,” said Mr. Bennett in his homecoming interview. “There were many new industries added to the city and a substantial growth in population was enjoyed. Many new ideas were brought forward by the common council, and being adopted, laid the foundation for the future betterment of our city. At no time during the history of Lansing were the several departments of the city, the council and the different boards working together in more harmony than during our four years’ administration.

“The gentlemen constituting our boards were chosen from among the business citizens. They all worked for the best interest of their department. Few cities can show a more rapid and even development in its departments than can Lansing during those four years. For the proficiency attained due credit must be given to the chiefs and superintendents of the several departments. They were all efficient men and worked in harmony with each other.

“Among the improvements made during that time I want to mention the establishment of the interurban lines to Lansing and Owosso. Both of these feeding veins to our city have been a great benefit to the business interests of the city as well as in a large measure promoting its growth."

East Side Park (circa 1910)

“Much interest was taken in the improvement of the parks. The east side was greatly improved by cleaning out the pond and in every way making it look as beautiful as possible. The work was carried out under the plan laid out by a former superintendent of public works. It has been my wish for years to make the East Side park a popular place for recreation. Moores park was also added to the list of our city parks while I was in office. It was the magnificent gift of J.H. Moores to the city of Lansing. Work was also begun in one of the state blocks in the fourth ward, laying it out for a park. In the future when the shrubbery and trees have a start this will make another addition to the city’s recreation places. Block No. 54 would also make an ideal spot for a park.

“Property was purchased for market purposes and Lansing soon ought to have available space for an up-to-date market. A site for a city yard was also obtained. Suitable buildings have been erected and when the repair work for the public works department is done there will be a place suitable for the storing and caring of the city property at a great saving.

“The new system of street lighting was also ushered in when I was mayor. The system of lighting the business section of the city is as perfect as could be wished for and is unsurpassed by any city in the country. This is one of the many things that Lansing can be truly proud of—her municipal lighting plant. Then again there are few cities of this size throughout the country which have made such long strides in the matter of obtaining efficient fire protection. Lansing was among the first cities of the state or country for that matter to introduce the auto fire engine. It seemed like an enormous expenditure at the time but the soundness of the city’s judgment in installing the modern engines has been shown in the decrease in loss by fire. Many cities have since followed our initiative along this line. These auto fire engines have done more to advertise our city throughout the country than any other one thing there being few fire departments even in the largest municipalities who can boast of as efficient a fire department as can this city.

“Another enterprise that for years to come will be a living monument to the memory and benevolence of a Lansing citizen is the gift of the hospital to the city of Lansing. This building and institution filled a long-felt need in the hearts of the people and they will always remember their friend and fellow citizen, Edward W. Sparrow, the donor. It is a building of which anyone can well be proud.

“Then came the revolution in street paving. This was undoubtedly one of the most important steps forward for the city of Lansing. Up to our administration we confined ourselves to brick pavement done by contractors. Upon assuming office a determined effort was made to bring about a change in the kind of pavement then in use. It was also suggested that the city own its own paving plant and do its own work instead of being at the mercy of contractors. Before leaving office the city had begun its own paving, having purchased the necessary machinery for the work. This change was brought about largely owing to the endeavors of Mr. Sparks, our engineer. This will enable the city to have many more miles of paved streets in the future at the minimum cost without being held up by contractors. And good paved streets are very essential to the beauty and progress of a city.

“The last and most notable event of my four years’ in office was the election of the charter commission for the purpose of framing a new charter. This was quite an expensive luxury. However, the gentlemen comprising the commission succeeded in framing a charter which was adopted by the people and one of the most important features of the new document, to my mind, is the paragraph increasing the salary of the mayor tenfold.

“In summing up my administration there has been no four years in the history of Lansing when the foundation for more improvements have been laid for a future city of unusual important.

“The home-coming will be one of the biggest things for Lansing which has ever happened. It will bring people here who lived here 40 and 50 years ago and saw Lansing in its infancy. They will see the marvelous change, the advancement, the growth, they will see old friends. It will mean a lot for the city and incidentally there will be nobody to enjoy it more than the citizens themselves. It will be a grant celebration.”