Gail Johnson moved to Rochester in 1921, attended Rochester High School and graduated with the class of 1935. Gail married Don Kemler in 1938. She was a member of the Rochester Community School Board, Rochester Historical Commission, Rochester-Avon Historical Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Rochester Lions Club, and many more organizations. She helped establish the Helping Hands Food Pantry and was a local business owner and real estate agent. Gail Evonne Kemler at … [Read more...]
Rochester and the Detroit United Railway
April 24, 2018 by 2 Comments
New Book Will Tell Rochester’s DUR History Robert Michalka knows about railroads and local history. The lifelong Rochester area resident is combining his two interests in a forthcoming book entitled Rochester and the Detroit United Railway, scheduled for publication by the Rochester Historical Commission later in 2018. Michalka grew up working on Rochester’s Main Street, where his father, Al Michalka, ran a feed store from 1927 until 1982. The younger Michalka started out at the age of 10 … [Read more...]
Gail Kemler Celebrates a Century
October 10, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Rochester is marking the 200th anniversary of its founding this year, and local resident Gail Kemler has witnessed almost half of the town’s two centuries of history. Kemler, of Rochester Hills, is planning to celebrate her 100th birthday at the end of this month, in the company of scores of family and friends. Gail Johnson Kemler was born October 28, 1917 in Brookfield, Illinois, where her father worked on a railroad line. When Kemler was four years old, her mother became seriously ill and … [Read more...]
Founders Day Kicks Off the Bicentennial Year for City of Rochester with VIDEO
March 16, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Founders Day, an annual event, was extra special this year. A larger-than-normal crowd gathered at the Rochester Hills Museum, not only to recognize six new "founders," but also to kick off the start to the City of Rochester's 200th year celebration. Founded on March 17, 1817 by James Graham, Rochester has grown, keeping up with the times, yet holding on to its past. "Small town feel" is alive and well in Rochester. This year's event was held in the 1927 Calf Barn of the Rochester Hills … [Read more...]
Six New Members to be Inducted into the Community Hall of Fame for Founder’s Day Celebration
February 28, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Rochester Hills Museum to Induct Six New Members into the Community Hall of Fame The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm will be inducting six new members into the Community Hall of Fame at the Founder’s Day Celebration on Sunday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m. The Founder’s Day program is sponsored annually by the Rochester Historical Commission to recognize the founding of Rochester on March 17, 1817 by James Graham. This year’s event features PBS personality Tom Daldin and his wife, Rochester … [Read more...]
