THE 2023/2073 BICENTENNIAL TIME CAPSULES ARE IN THE GROUND!

At Depot Day 2023, we opened the 1973/2023 Sesquicentennial Time Capsule that had been buried in the South Lyon Historic Village for 50 years! (Narrative and pictures of that event can be viewed on the 2023 Depot Day page.)

On December 17, 2023, the new 2023/2073 Bicentennial Time Capsules (yes, there are two) were buried. Many thanks to SLAHS member Larry Ledbetter for spearheading the new time capsule project. 

The 1973/2023 Sesquicentennial Time Capsule was basically a small concrete vault that was buried a few feet underground and had to be excavated with a backhoe. Unfortunately, water had seeped into the vault over the 50 years and some of the contents were in poor condition. The new 2023/2073 Bicentennial Time Capsules are made of PVC pipe and capped at both ends with PVC (waterproof glued into place). Moisture should not be a problem! They were buried end-over-end (i.e vertically), side by side, using a gas powered auger. They will be dug up during the city's bicentennial celebration in 2073. Hopefully some of our current young family members in South Lyon will be present at the next time capsule reveal!

Many thanks go out to the following individuals who assisted with this project: Larry Ledbetter, Steve Felt, Phil Weipert, Jeff Heinanen, Sandy McNeese, and all those who donated items for the time capsules.

Here is a list of the contents of the two Bicentennial 2023/2073 Time Capsules:

• DVD Player with instructions, remote & DVD about the barn.

• Smart cell phone & charger.

• Photo album with 50 photos of the city of South Lyon.

• 2023 minted uncirculated dime & nickel.

• Two centennial memorial South Lyon coins 1873 to 1973.

• Pumpkin Fest T-Shirt South Lyon celebrating 150 years.

• Martin’s Hardware baseball cap celebrating 50 years 1968 to 2018.

• South Lyon Area Historical Society T-shirt.

• South Lyon Area Historical Society baseball cap.

• Martin’s Hardware plastic drink bottle 1968 to 2018 celebrating 50 years.

• Packaged Hostess Twinkies.

• Information about COVID.

• Miscellaneous information including Martin’s Hardware & the American Legion.

• Photo of the Martin’s: Bill, Donna & Bob Martin.

• Message in prayer form from Rev. Mary McInnes of the South Lyon Methodist Church to the people of 2073.

• Historical documents concerning the history of South Lyon.

• Restaurant menus from: Lake Street Tavern, South Lyon Hotel, Lyon Grill & Lucas Coney Island.

• Showerman’s Market ad from 9/24/1973.

• South Lyon Herald Newspaper dated 9/28/2023.

• Miscellaneous brochures including Michigan guide for the aging driver, Jim Runestad state senator district 15, one water storm water keep it fresh, South Lyon events 2023 celebrating 150 years, Detroit Red Wings Hockey schedule 2023-2024 season.

• South Lyon Police & Fire Department patches.

• Centennial & sesquicentennial patches & medallions.

• South Lyon Historical Village puzzle.

• Frisbee.

• Fly swatter.

• South Lyon Area Historical Society Sesquicentennial slate drink coasters.