The Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce originated in 1908 by a leading group of Port Huron's new business owners and entrepreneurs and was incorporated on May 31, 1917 as a county-wide chamber with 905 members. Historical news headings published by founding member, The Times Herald, in the feature section, Blue Water Memories, are recorded here.
Feb. 11, 1906 – Within a few months, the John L. Fead & Sons knitting mill at Huron Avenue and Park Street in Port Huron has grown into one of the most prosperous of Port Huron ’s smaller industries. The factory was brought here from Lexington through the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce.
Feb. 28, 1906 – Wine, wit and wisdom flowed freely last night at the first annual banquet of the Port Huron Chamber of Commerce in the elegantly appointed dining room of the Hotel Harrington. About 100 men attended.
May, 1906 – Believing that the only sure way of getting manufacturing enterprises to locate in Port Huron is by lending them financial encouragement, the Chamber of Commerce last night laid the foundation for an industrial fund that will be increased to not less than $100,000. Pledges of $20,000 were raised in 20 minutes. Committees were appointed to go among the people of Port Huron in every business to secure pledges until the desired amount is secured.
May 26, 1906 – Another $1,500 was secured today toward a $100,000 industrial fund to help attract new industries to Port Huron. It is expected that $8,000 or $10,000 will roll in next week as several large subscriptions are in sight.
June 23, 1906 – The Port Huron Chamber of Commerce has scored its first big success in landing the Dr. Perkins Sanitary Refrigerator Co. of Battle Creek for Port Huron . Negotiations for the plant were concluded yesterday. The company has agreed to employ 100 men 11 months of the year.
June 25, 1906 – A year has rolled away since the organization of the Port Huron Chamber of Commerce, and some members who took stock of events today consider that a pretty good record has been made. The organization has landed two factories, a mammoth summer encampment and has raised a big industrial fund.
Aug. 30, 1906 – President Sperry of the Chamber of Commerce is of the opinion that Port Huron will secure a factory for the manufacture of gas machines. Chicago parties have spent a portion of the week in the city looking over the ground. It is expected the deal will be closed in a few days.
Aug. 25, 1906 – A committee from the Chamber of Commerce, consisting of President Sperry, F.E. Beard, William Canham and E. J. Schoolcraft, visited the plant of the Huron Packing Co. on Griswold street Friday, for the purpose of ascertaining if the reports regarding the stench and odors were correct.
Sept. 8, 1906 –The American Palace Car Co. is looking around for a new place to locate. The company is anxious to invest in the neighborhood of $1 million. Here is a chance for the Port Huron Chamber of Commerce.
June 1, 1936 – H.A. Hopkins assumed his duties as secretary-manager of the Port Huron Chamber of Commerce by announcing a get-acquainted cruise on the steamer Noronic for River District residents.
June 23, 1956 – About 25 members of the Greater Port Huron-Marysville Chamber of Commerce participated yesterday in the inauguration of a new Blue Water District tourist attraction when they took a trip aboard the new Miss Port Huron on the St. Clair River and Lake Huron.
April 27, 1961 – The retail board of the Greater Port Huron-Marysville Chamber of Commerce sought comment on a program of uptown beautification by placing living trees in concrete boxes on Military Street and Huron Avenue.