The Faces Behind Milan’s Flowers, Murals and Crooked Trees

For decades, the flowers welcoming visitors to Milan, the murals celebrating the city’s history and even the town’s unusual crooked trees shared something in common—the work of dedicated volunteers.

At the April 21 Milan City Council meeting, three women who spent a combined 41 years on the Beautification Commission were honored for helping transform the city’s appearance and civic pride.

Though no longer serving on the commission, Sallie Bancroft, Karen Fraser and Barbara Gardinier helped grow the organization from a group that at times operated without a budget into a citywide effort supported by volunteers, fundraisers and a $5,000 city allocation.

Councilmember Shannon Wayne, who served 12 years on the committee herself, including as president, thanked the women for their long years of dedication.

Wayne commended Fraser for her leadership and vision during her nine years on the commission. 

“Your eye for design is very, very good,” Wayne said.

Wayne thanked Bancroft, who served more than 11 years, for her leadership, historical knowledge and advocacy, including her work as secretary.

“The minutes were always correct for Beautification Commission,” Wayne said.

Mayor Ed Kolar spoke highly of Gardinier’s longtime involvement in the community.

Gardinier served on the commission for 21 years, starting after retiring from her job and stepping down as president at the end of last year. She said civic pride and the friendships kept her involved.

When she first joined, the committee struggled financially.

“We did all kinds of things to come up with money,” Gardinier recalls.

To raise funds, the group printed and sold The Milan Community Cookbook, sold planter sponsorships and partnered with the former Milan Bakery to create a signature cookie that supported beautification projects. Members also wrote grants, petitioned the city for support and recruited volunteers.

Today, the committee organizes Planting Day, when volunteers fill 32 planters and plant flowers at the city’s five entrance signs. The last two years the flowers have come from the Milan High School student greenhouse, and last year the high school students planted the flowers at the entrance sides, Gardinier said.

Bancroft also made plaques recognizing sponsors for each barrel.

In the winter, volunteers decorate 16 large planters with seasonal greens. 

The commission also recognizes residents and businesses with 16 beautification awards presented between June and September, along with Halloween Bootification awards and December Lights Aglow and Mistletoe awards. 

Murals Preserve Local History

Beyond flowers and landscaping, the committee also worked to preserve Milan’s history through public art.

Bancroft, an avid historian, said the idea began after the Detroit Institute of Arts brought an exhibit to Milan and other communities.

“We thought, ‘What a great idea,’” Bancroft said. “’We should do murals of Milan’ and so that’s how it all came about.”

Due to their efforts, the city now has five murals depicting the city history.

• Milan women’s club 1913 parade float photo outside the Community House where the women’s group once met.
• A rendering of the historic Crooked Tree at the gas station on the corner of County and Dexter.
• A two-sided mural near the fire station showing the north and south views of the old iron bridge that once crossed the Saline river prior to when Henry Ford changed the flow. 
• Two murals near the site of the former Stimpson Hotel by the West Main Street City parking lot

Reviving the Crooked Tree

One of the commissions most unusual projects involved recreating Milan’s historic crooked trees.

Committee member Rod Hill secured a grant to plant five red sugar maples that could be trained to bend like the famous tree that once grew in Milan. 

The trees remained behind the Community House long enough many residents forgot about them, but eventually three were re-located around the city – one near Aid in Milan, one by the Hack House and one near Neckel and Wabash by City Hall. 

Wayne said projects like the crooked trees demonstrate the long-term vision of the committee.

“The crooked trees took vision and years to put together,” Wayne said. “[The commission members] are the ones that really genuinely fill in the gaps from the Department of Public Works….It also lets community members give back. Families, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, churches will come out and it helps bring people together.”

The committee’s annual flower sale will be held May 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Workforce Realty. 

Residents can also sponsor flower barrels or volunteer for Planting Day on May 16 at 10 a.m. at Tolan Square. Wayne said volunteers are encouraged to bring garden trowels and wheelbarrows, though tools are not required. If enough volunteers participate, the work should be completed by noon.