Recognizing the Village of Dixboro on the Occasion of Their Bicentennial

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Village of Dixboro, Michigan on the occasion of the bicentennial of their founding. The growth of Dixboro over the last 200 years and the contributions it has made to Southeastern Michigan and the Nation is worthy of commendation.

The land was originally purchased by Captain John Dix, a retired ship captain, who purchased the land in Superior Township at $1.25 per acre. Dix began building, raising a barn in July 1825, along with a sawmill and grist in 1826. From then on, a village began to develop with 64 lots emerging soon after Dix's construction. These 25 acres, originally known as Section Eighteen Township Two, would go on to be renamed to the now known Dixboro.

Dixboro, being a small village, survived on its location between Ann Arbor and Detroit in which the crossroads allowed for economic prosperity. While traveling through these crossroads, many travelers found themselves stopping into town for the family owned Dixboro Family Store that has maintained its family roots for 177 years. Built in 1840, the store has gone through many changes, from originally being a simple corner store with housing for merchants. The effects of World War II forced the store to close its doors, yet in 1964 it reopened as an antique store until 1980. Then in 1990, the store was purchased by Allan and Cheryl Goode, and was transformed into the Dixboro General Store as known today. This landmark appeals to both the locals and tourists and has been selected as Best General Store in Michigan along with being voted Best Gift Store in Southeast Michigan on five separate occasions. This unique general store has been one of the great prides of Dixboro, as well as the Dixboro United Methodist Church. Completed in 1858, the Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and still operates today.

The village has started a revival with the introduction of the Dixboro Project. The project, founded by Sava Farah, saw the historical The Lord Fox and the previous Farm Cupboard barn and decided to preserve its history and beauty through food. The Farm Cupboard specialized in taking in travelers, pouring stiff cocktails during prohibition, and mastering its Fried Chicken recipe for over 30 years. The following Lord Fox was similarly known for its hospitality and food. To continue this legacy, The Dixboro project has similarly brought the community together through food, hospitality, and the preservation of Dixboro history. Sava similarly owns the Boro, which also embraces history into the modern age through food and hospitality.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the Village of Dixboro for the contributions its citizens have made to our Nation over the last 200 years. From its founding in 1825, Dixboro and its citizens have demonstrated resilience with keeping the town prosperous but also hospitable, treating both local and traveler with kindness. We thank them for their tremendous resilience and dedication over the last 200 years and we are excited to see the small town continue to prosper.

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