Local History Love: Holly Turns 150
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 15, 2015)
Residents and visitors painted the village red this weekend as Holly celebrated its sesquicentennial anniversary. The Holly High School Marching Band played through drizzly rain before the recreation department did demonstrations on how to dance.
One side of Crapo Park was lined with games for the kids put on by various school and church groups, while bounce houses and a dress up area also kept kids entertained.
Next to the railroad tracks the Holly Village Council held a special meeting under a tent on a riser to officially accept the numerous proclamations that came in.
State Representative Joe Graves came in person to present a proclamation from Governor Rick Snyder and the State of Michigan honoring the Village for its history. Graves said it was an honor to be there, adding “I’m a Holly native, a Holly High School grad. I grew up on a farm here. This is a fantastic community and I’m proud to recognize this great town.”
Villagers with historical garb walked the quaint Downtown Holly streets, where small shops and cafes mixed with antique stores, reminding people of the days when going into town was a big deal. Just a couple blocks away men in old fashioned baseball uniforms played with bats and balls over a century old.  The old mixed with the  new quite well though, as children wore sticker-mustaches and the Ghost Busters made an appearance.
The celebration also included free hot dogs, rides in the bucket of the fire truck, a parade and fireworks at dusk.
Holly became “settled” in 1836 when Ira C. Alger staked his claim.  From 1855 to 1862 the Village really made it on the map when the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, and the Pere Marquette Railroad were constructed, serving as an important connection point between Pontiac and Flint.  It was officially incorporated in 1865 and grew steadily in population from 500 to nearly 6,200 residents.
The Village of Holly Council approved a proclamation that honored the community, stating “The citizens of the Village of Holly, through their honest hard work and dedication have built upon that historic foundation, labored without cessation to ensure that the Village of Holly remains a thriving, forward-looking community, and the residential and economic focal point in Northwest Oakland County.”
To learn more about Holly, go to www.hollyvillage.org.