Posted on by Maggie

Gold Star Park and Michigan Ave Construction

A new aerial photo taken in May 2025 captures a moment of transformation at one of Albion’s most meaningful intersections. Known locally as “Five Points,” this crossroads connects past and present as the city undergoes major public works upgrades.

As Albion prepares for Memorial Day 2025, a new aerial photo captures a moment of transformation at one of the city’s most symbolic intersections: Gold Star Park at Five Points. This quiet triangle of green, dedicated to local heroes who gave their lives in service, now stands at the heart of a major infrastructure project on Michigan Avenue. The juxtaposition of remembrance and renewal invites us to pause—both to honor those who came before, and to reflect on how Albion is investing in its future.

🇺🇸 Gold Star Park: A Place of Remembrance

At the center of this well-traveled intersection stands Gold Star Park, a modest green triangle with a tall flagpole and granite memorial dedicated to Albion residents who gave their lives in service to the country.

The monument prominently displays the years 1941 and 1945, marking World War II, and includes a plaque for the Korean War, listing the names of local heroes lost in battle. This space, quietly nestled in the fork of Michigan Avenue, serves as a lasting reminder of sacrifice and service.

As Memorial Day approaches, it is especially fitting to reflect on the lives commemorated here. The holiday was established to honor U.S. military personnel who died while serving, and Gold Star Park stands as Albion’s most visible tribute to that solemn promise.

🏗️ Construction and Renewal: 2025 Infrastructure Projects

The aerial photo also documents visible progress on Albion’s 2025 Water System and Roadway Improvements, a multi-phase initiative led by the City of Albion and engineering firm Wightman.

According to the city’s official outreach brochure, the goals of the project include:

  • Replacing undersized and aging water mains

  • Upgrading lead water services

  • Improving fire flow capacity

  • Installing a new 1-million-gallon elevated water storage tank

  • Performing bridge preventative maintenance at seven city locations

Although the new water tower is not visible from the main road, its installation increases the city’s water storage from 0.5 million to 1.5 million gallons, providing crucial backup and redundancy for maintenance and emergencies.

Additionally, roadway improvements are being completed in areas where water mains are replaced—including the intersection at Five Points. Residents and travelers may encounter detours, lane closures, and temporary disruptions as underground work proceeds, but the long-term outcome will strengthen Albion’s infrastructure for years to come.

🛣️ Old Roads, New Perspectives

Frank Passic has  written about how Jackson Road once extended all the way to Parma, a detail that lingers in GPS databases and regional postal systems. As new roads are paved and old names fade, places like Gold Star Park continue to remind us of Albion’s evolving identity—and the people who helped build it, both in uniform and in everyday life.

 

The granite monument at Gold Star Park honors Albion residents who gave their lives in World War II and the Korean War. Their names are etched into the stone as a permanent reminder of sacrifice.

🕊️ Names of Albion’s Fallen Heroes

World War II (1941–1945):

  • Donald B. Allen

  • Clifford D. Burch

  • Russell L. Clark

  • Clifford J. Dyer

  • Earl C. Ferris

  • John J. Hagerman

  • Albert C. Hemenway

  • Curtis H. Howard

  • LaVern C. Huss

  • Norman G. Lee

  • Harold B. Lockwood

  • Carl A. Loeffler

  • Charles A. Mericle

  • William F. Miller

  • Paul W. Nash

  • Howard T. Nichols

  • Frank D. Phillips

  • George L. Sharp

  • Keith M. Stull

  • Richard D. Tuttle

  • Robert B. Wadsworth

  • Harold A. White

  • Floyd B. Withey

Korean War:

  • Charles J. Griffith

  • Russell G. Reid

  • Arthur M. Wheeler

 

🇺🇸 2025 Memorial Day Parade in Albion

Albion’s annual Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 26, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on the south side of town, with line-up expected near the Albion District Library.

The parade proceeds north toward Riverside Cemetery, where a formal remembrance ceremony will be held at the Veterans Pavilion.

Veterans will march in the parade alongside local groups, service organizations, and musical performers. The route is a tradition cherished by the Albion community—an opportunity to publicly honor the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom.

All are encouraged to attend, bring flags, and observe a respectful moment of silence during the cemetery ceremony.

🕊️ “It is a moving tribute to those who served and died so that we could enjoy our freedom.”
—Frank Passic

Watch for a new article about the 1886 Decoration Day parade in Albion in the Morning Star the weekend of Memorial Day 2025, in Frank Passic’s column.  The Morning Star is a free publication and available for pick up in Albion at many locations including gas stations and pharmacies.  Hundreds of people paraded and viewed this event in Albion in the early days. 

🔗 Frank Passic’s Historical Articles (Direct Links)

🪦 Gold Star Park

🇺🇸 Memorial Day Traditions

🎖️ Albion’s Veterans

1886 Decoration Day parade in Albion. Watch for Frank Passic’s column in the Morning Star the weekend of Memorial Day 2025. The entire story will also be published on AlbionMich.com at a later date.

📝 Frank Passic: Preserving Albion’s History

For decades, Frank Passic has preserved Albion’s history through his Historical Notebook column. His work is not institutionally funded—it’s a labor of love. Donations help cover costs for archival research, travel, paper, ink, and visits to the Library of Michigan in Lansing.

Learn more about Frank Passic’s work and how you can help by clicking on the button below.

Read more of Frank’s articles on this site by visiting this page: Writer Frank Passic

See Frank’s complete work about Albion, thousands of articles on our old website AlbionMich.com. The History of Albion Michigan.

Below is a current photo of Frank Passic from May, 2025.

Frank Passic, May, 2025

Enjoy art of Albion and Michigan by the creators of this website

Michigan Prints