On this day in Michigan’s history: John W. Patterson was born in Omaha, Nebraska on March 2, 1872. Though he wasn’t born in Michigan, John would soon move to Michigan and become an influential part of Battle Creek’s history; and even potentially protect the future social culture of Michigan with a single letter.
The Department of Health and Human Services is asking the Pentagon to designate Fort Custer as one of 11 military installations near major airports that could potentially house overflow quarantine cases.
Representative Fred Upton from St. Joseph announced he had sent a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis, urging the selection of the Fort Custer Training Center as the site of the potential Continental Interceptor Site. In the letter, Upton says Battle Creek is ideal because of its strategic location, and the ease with which Fort Custer could see the system installed.
An unassuming building on the grounds of Fort Custer near Battle Creek was once part of NORAD's missile command that could have launched nuclear weapons.