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Ann Arbor experienced an economic boom toward the end of the 1870s. The 1880 census stated the population of Ann Arbor was 8,061, up 1,400 from the previous census. The University of Michigan was also booming with James Angell expanding the University from its original boundaries. The growth the city brought electric lights, a telephone system, and a water system owned by a private company. |
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Alcohol was not much of a concern by the 1890s because of post civil war economics, but the Prohibitionist Party was formed nonetheless. Their major success came in getting a member of their party elected to council. The Citizens League was also formed to educate citizens of laws and ordinances relating to alcohol and unlawful acts. They released pamphlets and filed complaints against the owners of saloons and whorehouses. Students did not appreciate the preaching, and a riot eventually erupted outside a local whore house where a student committed suicide. Apparently, the student had developed a relationship with one of the prostitutes. The incident led to the closing of the whorehouse. |
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In 1889, Ann Arbor received a new city charter that gave the mayor and citizens more power. The mayor now had veto power over the council and citizen boards who were to oversee fire safety and public improvements. In 1896, the city, with the Board of Public Works, began paving the streets of Ann Arbor. |
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